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 Originally Posted by MadMojoMonkey
200 years is a nothingth of time in human history.
Anthropological finds and various dating methods place the human genome back something like 492,000 years.
Genetically modern humans are old hat.
The first cities (or precursors to cities) are about 12,000 years old.
So? Recent history >>> Ancient history
It's like if we were talking about who the best QB of all time is. You're nuts if you don't automatically throw out everyone who played before 1980.
Originally Posted by MadMojoMonkey
Saying that the thing you do is the best thing ever is so passe'.
The truth does get old sometimes.
Originally Posted by MadMojoMonkey
The number and scale of layers is arbitrary.
No it isn't. Each level of government represents a defined, not arbitrary, population of people. And their scope of powers is limited by clearly defined geographic boundaries. Why are we still using the word "arbitrary"? I mean, it's not like groups of people are sprouting up and saying "We're claiming this land, and we're gonna make our own laws".
Originally Posted by MadMojoMonkey
The system of checks and balances within each layer is a separate issue, I think, but still arbitrary
Each of the three branches has the power to overrule the other two. It's like rock paper scissors, each is equally powerful and equally vulnerable. Those powers and vulnerabilities were carefully thought out to ensure democracy.
What is "arbitrary" about it? Why are we insisting on using that word? That seems to be the only arbitrary thing in this whole discussion.
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