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Elections are war by other means
American Thinker ^ | Nov. 17, 2016 | Scott Swett

Posted on 11/17/2016 5:26:52 AM PST by Interesting Times

The 2016 presidential campaign, we are told, was nasty and divisive to an unprecedented degree. As students of history are aware, this characterization is far from accurate.

But more importantly, we seem to have forgotten the very purpose of elections, which is to provide a non-violent way to adjudicate differences between opposing factions.  The alternative is open warfare – consider the endless revolutions in South America or America's own Civil War.

Appalling though the recent election cycle may seem, it was a war of words, not of bullets. As the dust settles, the losers petition for a greater share of power.  The winners point out that, after all, they won.  Recriminations, accusations, analyses, and postmortems abound. Once again, the ancient mechanism is providing for a relatively peaceful transfer of power.

 It is a system worth appreciating and preserving – especially when you consider the alternative. The American revolution continues.  Thank God for that.

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2016; elections; war
Pay me now, or pay me later....
1 posted on 11/17/2016 5:26:52 AM PST by Interesting Times
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To: Interesting Times

What a great deal America got with Trump! Four for the price of one! Trump is healthy as a horse but, at his age, he might decide to serve just one term. But never fear, Donald Jr. could easily serve in that office for 8 years, and then Ivanka and then Eric. We could have decades of solid Trump leadership ahead of us!


2 posted on 11/17/2016 5:39:06 AM PST by GodAndCountryFirst
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To: Interesting Times

And therein lies their genius, because no one HAS TO DIE.

They probably will once one side decides to go full-Alinsky and launch into riot mode. But they don’t HAVE to die.


3 posted on 11/17/2016 6:06:02 AM PST by Buckeye McFrog
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To: Interesting Times
Elections are a substitute for war, not an excuse to start one.

4 posted on 11/17/2016 6:07:11 AM PST by BitWielder1 (I'd rather have Unequal Wealth than Equal Poverty.)
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To: Interesting Times

Von Clausewitz said, ‘War is merely the continuation of politics by other means.’

I say, “Politics is the continuation of war by other means.”


5 posted on 11/17/2016 6:32:29 AM PST by null and void ( If you defy federal law, we deny federal funds.)
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To: Interesting Times
“Politics is war without blood, while war is politics with blood.” ― Mao Tse-tung
6 posted on 11/17/2016 6:33:36 AM PST by Daveinyork
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To: Interesting Times

Based on rat reactions, things might sadly be turning violent in the future.


7 posted on 11/17/2016 12:05:20 PM PST by Impy (Toni Preckwinkle for Ambassador to the Sun)
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