[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Livia

Yes, any idiot son of an oil billionaire can become president no matter how ill-equipped he is for the job.

The monarchy doesn't rule the country... you know that, Alex.

Then why are you still paying taxes to them? and why does the monarch still have a ceremony to anoint the new Prime Minister, and why do they still occupy properties owned and maintained by the tax payers? And why did the Guardian expose letters from prince charles trying to sway parliamentarians votes.

The royals OBVIOUSLY have a HUGE influence on the government, and still benefit HUGELY from the tax paying "subjects".

[bots]

Originally Posted by lostalex

i'm sorry, did you just say there is no pretense that Russia and China are democracies? because i'm pretty sure both claim to represent their people and that they adhere to democratic principles. so how do you figure that there are no pretenses?

Having lived in Russia for several years, I think I can judge it pretty well, as can the people that live there.

Democracy is not an absolute, it is something that reflects the society that implements their version of it. That is why it is ludicrous to hold the USA up as some beacon, because its not. It pretends to be more than it is. Russia and China don't pretend.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by lostalex

Then why are you still paying taxes to them? and why does the monarch still have a ceremony to anoint the new Prime Minister, and why do they still occupy properties owned and maintained by the tax payers? And why did the Guardian expose letters from prince charles trying to sway parliamentarians votes.

The royals OBVIOUSLY have a HUGE influence on the government, and still benefit HUGELY from the tax paying "subjects".

They have no influence on the government. And actually, the royal family bring in much more money than they cost. I'm not talking about tourism, although that does count, I'm talking about the diplomatic meeting and greeting they do, bringing trade and business, and they host industrialists and politicians from all over the world. They all work incredibly hard for a number of charities, and are patrons of one or more. They are employers, each of those palaces and homes have staff. And the Queen has paid tax for a number of years now. As a tax payer, they cost me just over 50p a year, that's about 80 cents. I'd say they were value for money.

[arista]