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Comment by mschuster91 | Hacker News Reader

"making surgical procedures patentable" - in what sick world do we live in?!

I give the United States a maximum of 10-15 years before it will collapse due to massive civic unrest. (Which will undoubtedly be handled the Chinese way, with all the military equipment the police gets these days)

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Not going to happen. Our bipolar government means that at any given time, at least 45% of the nation tacitly approves of the way things are going, just given the political party in power. Of those that disapprove, most don't care all that much and only a very small percentage would actually be willing to fight for real freedom. Pit that number against the current military and police structure that exists basically to maintain its own power (hint: it is rare they actually protect and serve the American citizenry) at the discretion of Government, and what do you wind up with? Not any sort of real revolution. We're already screwed before it begins.

> at least 45% of the nation tacitly approves of the way things are going

You are 100% wrong on that statement. Just a few hours ago this news story was published:

http://news.yahoo.com/ap-gfk-poll-low-approval-congress-obam...

Turns out that 90% of Americans disapprove of the way lawmakers are handling their jobs. 58% disapprove of the President.

My prediction is that civil unrest will build and eventually peak in 2026. Legalization of marijuana will result in police forces having a lot less to do which could lead to all kinds of tyranny. Especially when you consider all the fancy military equipment they've been stockpiling.

I wouldn't be surprised if they start bulldozing homes with MRAMs in order to "kill or capture" people who are suspected of copyright infringement.

There is a considerable difference between people saying they disapprove of the current politicians in office and they want the whole system overthrown.

I for one disapprove of Obama and didn't vote for him (well, at least not the second time). I still fully support the continued existence of the United States under its Constitution, with him as President.

Survey-based approval ratings are pretty much meaningless, as they don't necessarily lead to change. Many people who claim to disapprove of the President would not vote for any other option were they given a chance today. This is called "tacit approval" as I mentioned. People might disagree, but it doesn't lead to any measurable difference in how they act politically. SNL had a great skit on this several weeks back when Kerry Washington hosted.

Also, I question your view of human nature when you say "police forces having a lot less to do" === "all kinds of tyranny".

A far more likely scenario is "Police forces having a lot less to do" === "more donut sales" (all the more so with marijuana legalization :) )

Do you want to bet? What odds do you offer?

20 bucks on the 10-15 years 'till collapse - and a hundred bucks that the next major unrest will be handled the Chinese way.

Can we denote in Swiss Franks (at the current exchange rate)?

For sure.

Good. What odds do you offer?

>I give the United States a maximum of 10-15 years before it will collapse due to massive civic unrest

Have even been to the US? Or did you just see it on TV?

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