And now what?

[AVG-JOE]

No. The solution to the corruption problem is to start by ceasing to be corrupt and then persuading others to do likewise.

If you think people holding the reins of power are just going to suddenly stop being corrupt because someone else isn't corrupt ... I don't think that's going to happen.

Power corrupts. Always has.

If it didn't, our Constitution would be irrelevant.

Living in an economy with a distribution of wealth curve skewed so far to the right that you had to call the CEO "your majesty" is what started this country.

 

[AVG-JOE]

No. The solution to the corruption problem is to start by ceasing to be corrupt and then persuading others to do likewise.

If you think people holding the reins of power are just going to suddenly stop being corrupt because someone else isn't corrupt ... I don't think that's going to happen.

Power corrupts. Always has.

Power doesn't corrupt at all. People corrupt power.

Power just has a tendency to reveal the character people already have.

Isn't that a great reason to limit it and try to develop an open, fair and transparent political landscape in America?

That IS kind of is our 'thing' after all, in spite of the corruption that We, The Peeps have currently allowed to become legal in D.C.

 

[AVG-JOE]

The system is screwed up. Our tax code is patently unfair, our budget is out of control with borrowing and spending, and our political system, with the Citizens United ruling, is more corrupt than Mexico, but we do a better job at the paperwork.

The ONLY two things we have going for us is a highly professional military and The Constitution.

The system needs some tweaks. And those would be easy to put into place if the people weren't corrupt.

But we need to fix the people or the Constitution doesn't matter and the military is something that will scare sane people.

That right there IS the problem... We have a system that encourages corruption... in fact, it's the only way to get elected. Making deals with powerful entities for their donation dollars to run their campaigns.

I really don't think that you're naive enough to think that all those billions of dollars being poured into those campaign coffers don't have strings attached to them, are you?

Be it big businesses, like energy, Insurance companies, Pharma, etc... or the Banking Industry, or Labor Unions.... they all call in their chips once the candidate is elected.

That's how our system got so fucked up, that's why deals like NAFTA and all the other "Free Trade" agreements got passed... including the latest by Obama.... that's why our JOBS have gone away.

We, The Peeps, need to demand changes to the system. We need to articulate precise goals with measurable results.

I suggest a radical simplification of the tax code, a law requiring a balanced budget, and transparency in all things politics.

 

[AVG-JOE]

Term limits would probably go a long way toward solving some of the political corruption, but then we would still have the corruption at the level of the masses.

I've been a fan of term limits, but there IS something to be said for keeping the drivers seat occupied by the fella who can drive the straightest, and experience counts for something.

On the other hand, remaining in office for decades has its own corruptibility factor.

On the other hand, if we actually had fair elections and politicians who were accountable to their voters and not their donors, term limits would be limiting to our leadership pool.

Term limits would definitely come with extreme positive results in the short and mid term.

 

[AVG-JOE]

Term limits would probably go a long way toward solving some of the political corruption, but then we would still have the corruption at the level of the masses.

I don't think Term limits would help that much. The corruption starts before they're elected. By the time they actually get elected, they've already sold their souls.

That's a BIG part of it. The election process itself is a test of corruptibility as well as marketability, with those who pass the gauntlet of lobby fundraising and media scrutiny moving closer to the millionaires circle of good ol' boys.

 

[uscitizen]

For those who realize that the system is screwed up. All the politicians are bought in some degree. The courts are loaded against us in most cases. The Fed is private. The banking system is corrupt. Taxes are unfair. What do we do? Fight among ourselves while we all get screwed in the process. There is no help coming from Washington, if you believe that, you can stop reading. You can accept the crumbs and blame others. I want to know what do we do to completely change things for all people in every party who only inspire to have the ability to become middle class?
This thread is meant for solutions and not party bashing because those who see thing for what they really are know all those in this current government will not bring about change. It is my belief that we abolish the current government and get back to the basics by returning the power back to the voters and restructure the processes for the new global economy and politics we live in. These things must be addressed or no approach to solutions will work.

I think congress will say. "If it ain't broke don't fix it."

 

[Crackerjack]

I think congress will say. "If it ain't broke don't fix it."

For them the system works just fine.

 

[MarcATL]

You're absolutely right. It's the money in politics, not politics.

Whatcha gonna do?

I read a naive suggestion that political advertising be banned. So much for free speech, eh? If I have the resources to promote my ideology - even to the point of promoting and donating to specific candidates, the right to do so is guaranteed by my holding a US Passport. That's what makes the internet ROCK

The answer? Transparency, transparency, transparency.

Who cares what anyone says or spends on our politics if every dollar given to candidate or cause is accounted to a citizen with full voting rights and every political advertisement is signed by the same?





Well...... who else SHOULD be playing high-dollar secretive politics in our elections - The Chinese?

Then you agree that Citizens United is THE WORST piece of legislation passed this century.

Right?

 

[AVG-JOE]

You're absolutely right. It's the money in politics, not politics.

Whatcha gonna do?

I read a naive suggestion that political advertising be banned. So much for free speech, eh? If I have the resources to promote my ideology - even to the point of promoting and donating to specific candidates, the right to do so is guaranteed by my holding a US Passport. That's what makes the internet ROCK

The answer? Transparency, transparency, transparency.

Who cares what anyone says or spends on our politics if every dollar given to candidate or cause is accounted to a citizen with full voting rights and every political advertisement is signed by the same?





Well...... who else SHOULD be playing high-dollar secretive politics in our elections - The Chinese?

Then you agree that Citizens United is THE WORST piece of legislation passed this century.

Right?

Yes. Citizens United and the SC backing it up is tantamount to treason in my humble opinion. I call it treason because it usurps what little political capital an individual can bring to the process with money from foreign corporations and governments.

The money generated from US business interests, and the secrecy promised to all is just plain stupid.

 

[Uncensored2008]

Yes. Citizens United and the SC backing it up is tantamount to treason in my humble opinion.

Why?

Because it puts corporations on the same footing as unions? The nation should be run for the benefit of the 11% in unions and to hell with everyone else?

I call it treason because it usurps what little political capital an individual can bring to the process with money from foreign corporations and governments.

That was usurped with McCain-Feingold, when unions and the leftist press were free to unlimited politicing but PAC's and corporations were blocked from providing a alternate voice.

The money generated from US business interests, and the secrecy promised to all is just plain stupid.

So you think business should not generate money????

 

[Avatar4321]

You're absolutely right. It's the money in politics, not politics.

Whatcha gonna do?

I read a naive suggestion that political advertising be banned. So much for free speech, eh? If I have the resources to promote my ideology - even to the point of promoting and donating to specific candidates, the right to do so is guaranteed by my holding a US Passport. That's what makes the internet ROCK

The answer? Transparency, transparency, transparency.

Who cares what anyone says or spends on our politics if every dollar given to candidate or cause is accounted to a citizen with full voting rights and every political advertisement is signed by the same?





Well...... who else SHOULD be playing high-dollar secretive politics in our elections - The Chinese?

Then you agree that Citizens United is THE WORST piece of legislation passed this century.

Right?

Yes. Citizens United and the SC backing it up is tantamount to treason in my humble opinion. I call it treason because it usurps what little political capital an individual can bring to the process with money from foreign corporations and governments.

The money generated from US business interests, and the secrecy promised to all is just plain stupid.

Free speech is treason?

Wow has this country fallen...

 

[Uncensored2008]

Free speech is treason?

Wow has this country fallen...

Political speech must be reserved for the Unions and the press, the little people can STFU - according to the left.

 

[peach174]

My solution, is for all of us to vote out each and every one of the Socialists, who are in both parties.

 

[AVG-JOE]

Yes. Citizens United and the SC backing it up is tantamount to treason in my humble opinion.

Why?

Because it puts corporations on the same footing as unions? The nation should be run for the benefit of the 11% in unions and to hell with everyone else?

I call it treason because it usurps what little political capital an individual can bring to the process with money from foreign corporations and governments.

That was usurped with McCain-Feingold, when unions and the leftist press were free to unlimited politicing but PAC's and corporations were blocked from providing a alternate voice.

The money generated from US business interests, and the secrecy promised to all is just plain stupid.

So you think business should not generate money????

Citizens United and the secret, high dollar politics it breeds is wrong for the country.

Corporations, unions, trade organizations, small businesses, medium businesses, churches, etc SHOULD be on the same political footing: Transparency.

Every contribution dollar accounted for to a voting member of the public, every political ad signed by the sponsor. It ain't rocket science and it's fair.

As far as your last line of clap-trap, quoting out of context is too easy - I figured you for smarter than that kind of bullshit.

 

[AVG-JOE]

Then you agree that Citizens United is THE WORST piece of legislation passed this century.

Right?

Yes. Citizens United and the SC backing it up is tantamount to treason in my humble opinion. I call it treason because it usurps what little political capital an individual can bring to the process with money from foreign corporations and governments.

The money generated from US business interests, and the secrecy promised to all is just plain stupid.

Free speech is treason?

Wow has this country fallen...

It's not the 'free' speech I have a problem with.

It's the political advertising and campaigning by foreign governments using perfectly legal American Corporate Documents for cover.

It's small groups of individuals commanding undue influence in the political arena wearing disguises like "People for the American Way" and other Norman Rockwell sounding PAC skins.

There is NOTHING free about the secretive political influence now wielded by small groups of well-heeled individuals and organizations, thanks in no small part to Citizens United.

Transparency in Politics is the answer, which is especially troubling because Citizens United takes us in the opposite direction.

Our founders left England because they wanted politics to be an open forum, not kings and king-makers ruling from behind a wall of secrecy.

 

[AVG-JOE]

My solution, is for all of us to vote out each and every one of the Socialists, who are in both parties.

Now, if only there were SOME sort of consensus among "all of us" as to the definition of a 'Socialist', let alone consensus among "all of us" as to who belongs under that heinous banner.

 

[Uncensored2008]

Citizens United and the secret, high dollar politics it breeds is wrong for the country.

Wrong for the country, or wrong for the influence peddling of the public employee unions?

Corporations, unions, trade organizations, small businesses, medium businesses, churches, etc SHOULD be on the same political footing: Transparency.

Before Citizens United they were not, now they are. Yet you complain because they are.

Every contribution dollar accounted for to a voting member of the public, every political ad signed by the sponsor. It ain't rocket science and it's fair.

Kewl.

So your boss should know that you sent $1,000 to the "Re-elect Barack" campaign and take appropriate action regarding the longevity of your career..

You sure you've thought this through?

As far as your last line of clap-trap, quoting out of context is too easy - I figured you for smarter than that kind of bullshit.

I didn't omit even one letter. What is out of context?

 

[Steelplate]

Term limits would probably go a long way toward solving some of the political corruption, but then we would still have the corruption at the level of the masses.

I don't think Term limits would help that much. The corruption starts before they're elected. By the time they actually get elected, they've already sold their souls.

If they knew going in, that they were there short-term, and they had nothing to gain financially and long-term for retirement bennies, only people who had a burning desire to be public servants would seek out the job.

OR.... if they are truly corrupt people... they will try to suck up as much as possible in the time they have.

 

[Steelplate]

Unions have NEVER been on the same level as big business.... That's a fallacy promoted by the right wing propagandists. Do they donate a lot? Absolutely. But big business, as a whole destroys Unions as a whole in donation dollars.

You add all the dollar amounts up from every union and then do the same to all the business entities, including banking, etc... and you will see that unions are dwarfed by a large margin... and always have been.... that's why Unions can only afford to give to one party. Truthfully? I think that's the REAL reason the GOP is "anti-union".

 

[Uncensored2008]

Now, if only there were SOME sort of consensus among "all of us" as to the definition of a 'Socialist', let alone consensus among "all of us" as to who belongs under that heinous banner.

Socialism is control of the means of production by the state or central authority.

No need for "consensus."

Words have meanings - some know the meanings, others are ignorant.