Bill Clinton - Losers and Loners Make Democracy 'Sing'

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/04/28/Global_Reach_How_Constitutional_Ideas_Travel

"The thing that makes our constitutional democracy sing is what we do with the losers and the loners," says former President Bill Clinton. He argues the key to a successful democracy is not just successful elections and majority rule, but "selling diversity and minority rights."

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Former President Bill Clinton discusses how the American constitutional experience has influenced political thought and policy initiatives in other countries and the challenges of nurturing constitutionalism and democracy abroad.

This program is part of the Constitution Center's International Engagement Program, dedicated to promoting constitutional principals to emerging democracies. - National Constitution Center

William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III on August 19, 1946) was the 42nd President of the United States, serving from 1993 to 2001. Clinton served five terms as the Governor of Arkansas. His wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, is currently the U.S. Secretary of State for the Obama Administration. During his tenure as president, his domestic priorities included efforts to create a universal healthcare system, to improve education, to restrict handgun sales, to balance the federal budget, to strengthen environmental regulations, to improve race relations, and to protect the jobs of workers during pregnancy or medical emergency. His domestic agenda also included other themes such as reforming welfare programs, expanding the "War on Drugs", and increasing law enforcement funding.

Internationally, his priorities included reducing trade barriers, preventing nuclear proliferation, and mediating the Northern Ireland peace process and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts.

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[adzug]

hes talkin bout the losers of elections and loners those who are in a society but dont wanna participate politicly. its not a shot at ppl.

[seamoremonster]

Nicely put Bill.  It is about tolerance and the rights of the minorities as well and having diversity. Something to be proud of.

[adzug]

@LokiClock ok thanks for the conciseness of your note cheers

[LokiClock]

@adzug My point is that he's not just talking about elections. Minority rights are a defense against majority rule, and that concept has greater impact on our lives than an election. The context for his statement is the idea that we can make a nation democratic by having them hold elections. Democracy is good, therefore elections are good, therefore all nations should have elections. Clinton's saying why democracy is good, and that it's more important to give the world that than a mechanic.

[adzug]

@LokiClock well we have laws to protect minorities rights. if im interpreting your statement right. and im not sure what you mean by morals? what your point is

[LokiClock]

@adzug That's a narrow interpretation. Laws decide how we're able to live our lives. The candidates merely miss a job. When an issue is decided, the majority can decide how to treat those who have different morals and ideas from them.

[bayreuth79]

If there is one thing I cannot abide its American hypocricy. As we all know, the US government has supported dictatorships and deliberately undermined democratically elected governments in various countries! Please, don't lecture us about democracy: its something American's only want exported to the extent that it benefits themselves! Besides, as Noam Chomsky points out, America is a polyarchy and not a democracy. Read James Maddison!

Clinton = bumpkin

[tikiforce]

Hes slowly tapping his feet to the sax music in his mind.

[DREwestcoast]

@DartmouthAlum96 he sure is a better front man than obama

[SidewalkFrequencies]

Crunch time Uncle Willy, I hope you come round son.

[mikeatEMEco]

lol i feel like both a loser and a loner

[DartmouthAlum96]

Slick Willie is the man.