@sisky-fringo said:

There is not a pure democracy that you seem to ascribe to at any level of government anywhere in the world. Oh, maybe in some very small towns like in New England, but every nation that is a "democracy" is in reality a democratic republic.

@the-gipper said:

Leave then. Here are some options which sound like you may wish to consider:

Non-Democratic Governments

The worlds non-democratic or significantly non-democratic nations are

you didn't list the US. how come? the United States is not a democracy, it is a democratic republic.

when the elected representatives vote their own way or are subject to be financislly lobbied to vote against the views of their constituents...it's not really a whole lot different than a dictatorship by committee. we also have many appointed government positions, like the cabinet, czars, deputies...

although we resemble some of it's philosophies saying we are a democracy isn't an accurate statement, perspective, or perception.

but if your point is we have more freedom and voice in our voting and "democratic process" than many other Earthlings, i acknowledge that and concede to an extent, but not as much as we would like to believe, and in fact may have little to no clear idea how much say we actually have contrary to public opinion.

@capital-card said:

I hate replay too. They tried to "get it right" on bad calls, but all it does is slow the flow of the game. College Football's replay system seems to be better, but I'm not sold on replay no matter what.

@capital-card said:

I would argue that the advent of the super-slow-mo, HD, multiple instant replay from 12 different angles is what has ruined the game.

lol... some truth here starting with this by Ray the Rabbit's kid...

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-top-ten/0ap2000000113873/Top-Ten-Controversial-Calls-Renfro-s-catch

@capital-card said:

I would argue that the advent of the super-slow-mo, HD, multiple instant replay from 12 different angles is what has ruined the game.

Bad and no-calls used to go unnoticed by the masses. Now, they are highlighted and discussed for days on end.

Great point. But the NFL doesn't even try to use the new technology to help these officials out.. They finally added cameras to the pylons but don't even show that camera angle on all goalline reviewable plays.. They are cheap as hell. The NFL will only change if there is a big enough push back do to a high profile team or player losing or getting hurt (Tom Brady low QB hit rule)..

Bad and no-calls used to go unnoticed by the masses. Now, they are highlighted and discussed for days on end.

@the-gipper said:

Great post.. I laughed so hard , I almost fell out of My chair.. Thanks Gip.. I need that after having a bad week.

@diehardbrownsfan said:

Leave then. Here are some options which sound like you may wish to consider:

Non-Democratic Governments

The worlds non-democratic or significantly non-democratic nations are classified in the categories below. See also Oppressive Regimes.

Monarchies With More Than Symbolic Power (Royal Dictatorships)

This section includes all non-symbolic monarchies. In many, there are no elections of any kind. In others, there is elected legislative input, but substantial executive and/or judicial power resides in a hereditary leader or very small hereditarily determined oligarchy.

Saudi Arabia

Kuwait

Jordan

Morocco

Bhutan

Brunei

United Arab Emirates

Bahrain

Oman

Qatar

Swaziland

Nepal

Malaysia

Theocracies

Iran (Iran has functioning democratic institutions which are significantly constrained by religious leaders who have the authority to override most actions of the secular government and the free functioning of the electoral process).

Countries With One Party Governments

Cameroon

China

Cuba

North Korea

Laos

Vietnam

Syria

Countries With Dictators

For these purposes dictators are described as leaders who hold power not won or subject to removal in periodic democratic elections, who are not in power by virtue in inherited position or the backing of a broad based single party system. Concrete steps putting these countries firmly on the path to multi-party democracy have not been taken.

Central African Republic

Congo (Kinshasa)

Congo (Brazzaville)

Equatorial Guinea

Egypt

Ethiopia

Pakistan

Myanmar (aka Burma)

Kazakstan

Libya

Sudan

Turkmenistan

Countries With Transitional Governments

The nations have not put into place a full set of elected officials through a free and fair electoral process although they are in the process of doing so, are merely in the process of appearing to do so, or have established some sort of multi-party consultative body by appointment.

Afghanistan

Cambodia

Egypt

Eritrea

Haiti

Iraq

Ivory Coast

Liberia

Nepal

Russia

Kazakhstan

@diehardbrownsfan said:

Actually lawyers and whiney ex-players have done this.