I assure you steven. We've never known oppression. 

That's part of national security, genius.  The public doesn't need to know some secrets, beceause if the people know, those that wish harm on America (or any government) know.  Those are safety measures that keep you safe.  You sould like some socialist windbag that doesn't actually understand how the world works.  You know, like Michael Moore.  "Wahh, government bad, government oppressive."  Talk to anyone who lived under Stalin or Hitler or Pol Pot and then tell me how oppressive modern western governments are.

Be smarter.

but whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?

@Stof&steven: You should cut that in half. Lets say it's depressive?

They are different degrees of oppresion (see my post on the Taliban), I understand that; but it still is oppression.

When 20% of my work day is paying for the "Social Security" of those who don't work, that is oppression.

When 51% of the population tells the other 49% that they can't be a member a of a political party(Nazi Party in Germany [I'm Jewish]), or do a drug (there are adults in the U.S. who aren't allowed to drink, 18-20) or worship the way they want (non-aligned non-denominational Christian Churches aren't recognized as religions for tax or free speech purposes in many "free" countries), or say what they want to say (when U.S. press has to worry about being kicked out of the White House press room), that is also oppression.

The enthusiastic use of deadly force by Police in the United States and capital punishment are ways the government kill people.  Maybe they were guilty, maybe they weren't.  The government can barely build roads and schools, why should they decide who lives and dies.  Because the majority thinks it's okay?

The point is that these are democracies, and if we speak out and vote we can change things.

Again, there are degrees of oppression.  Democracy is the least oppressive by it's nature.

I've never heard of a socialist against income taxes, you might want to read a little bit more before posting any more arguing politics with me.

I can keep myself safe, thanks.

I understand that there needs to be metal detectors at the airport.  What I don't understand is why what goes on in my own home, that hurts no one, is anybody's business but my own.

What do INCOME taxes have to do with national security? Why not tax what I spend or raise property taxes.  Why should the government be paid for my work.  That is oppression.

It's funny you mention Stalin, Hitler, and Pol Pot because all three were part of a shift within their nations to Nationalistic ideologies while using the rhetoric of national security.

I'm not saying that the U.S. or any other western nation is on the way to becoming a Dictatorship or Autocracy but if we don't pay attention and ask "Why does this make me more secure?  How might it make me less secure?"

One strengths of modern western culture is that of individuality.  As long as we balance the needs of the many with the needs of the few we'll be alright.  When it starts sliding toward the needs of the many (extreme socialism, national security) or  the needs of the few (lawlessness and anarchy) then you begin to see problems.

@Resident Hazard: Now that you mentioned the specific leaders, the US anti-terrorist laws actually makes similar control possible.

It seems we disagree on quite a bit of things regarding government and oppression. For instance, I don't find income taxes any more repressive than sales or property taxes (why should the government have the right to tax me simply for what I earn, or for what I purchase? Answer: they need to get money to operate). And you're off on the percentages required for some measures: you'll learn in Con Law that there are quite a few vague rights that can't be denied with a simple majority, but would require a constitutional amendment (i.e. 3/4 of the states, and good luck with that). Prohibition, for instance, had to be done via constitutional amendment.

But at this point we're nitpicking. What I mostly want to say is that we're getting a bit off-topic here. I'd be happy to continue this conversation tomorrow, but how about we start a separate off-topic thread to discuss it? Here, we're supposed to be for or against Germany's decisions, not discussing the philosophical issue of governmental repression.

After all it's good... Of course it sucks to import so much but at least it's not going to be censored that way... Of course there still "may" be a censored european Version but that is highly doubtful. Germans love to censor everything and then let the consumer even pay more then people in the UK pay for example. I mean even Harry Potter is censored here so why should I care anymore... If it's not here it won't be indexed and/or embargoed (or at least not so fast) and I have a higher chance of being able to import an untouched copy. Maybe I can get Rol to find me a cheap Gameshop and send it to me then ^^

Why income taxes are wrong, while other types aren't?  Because taxing income punishes those who work, instead of those who consume.

Con Law? I never mentioned any legal justification.  I'm talking about morality of government, not the legality.  People can write anything they want on a piece of paper; that doesn't mean it is right.

Governments controlling competent adults is the topic, though you are right that it is a little broad.

I really need to goto sleep though, so later.