[nexxo]

I must agree with peepingdan here. If you want to have an intellectual discussion, don't get personal.

But this illustrates the point nicely. I think you're too emotionally involved to maintain a dispassionate discussion about this. That's OK, it's good to feel passionate about something and I know you've got your heart in the right place. I know you want to make the world a better place and that's a good thing.

Yes, democracy is the best form of government available (not brilliant, but the best we have) and I believe democracy is bettrer than non-democracy. I believe civilisation is better than barbarism. But you have to be careful when you start making decisions on how your neighbour should live. They hit their wife and kids? Fine, intervene. They dump their rubbish on your lawn? By all means, intervene. But you don't like, say the church they visit or the way they live? As long as they do not hurt anyone, and do not inpinge on your life, it's none of your business. Star Trek (as an allegory) made a big deal about the Prime Directive for a reason.

Just remember, the price of being the good guys is that we have to be the good guys. That is a far more complicated and difficult proposition than it sounds.