my phone calls and e-mails to my congressional delegates can't compete with lobbyists money

[spanone]

this is what this congress under george bu$h* has proven to me

as long as the lobbyists can buy off congress, this democracy of our is a sham

the fisa bill is final proof for me.....

[whistle]

1. Every $1,000.00 from a lobbyist off-sets 10,000 phone calls and emails from

...contributing constituents and probably 100,000 non-contributing constituents

[Tesha]

2. Unfortunately, it's been that way for years and quite possibly decades. (NT)

[spanone]

3. we need to change it....

it's beyond MY emails and phone calls...it's ALL THE CITIZENS phone calls and emails are irrelevent

[zanne]

5. I agree. It's nothing new.

The entire political culture of Washington has to change, and that won't happen overnight.

[soothsayer]

7. yup.

[hobbit709]

4. My idea for campaign finance reform

No candidate can spend more money than what the job pays-from county dogcatcher to potus.

[zanne]

6. That would require free air time and free press. nt

I believe in a system that provides these things at no cost to presidential and congressional candidates, along with a foolproof cap on spending.

[MadHound]

8. It's been this way for decades now

Which is why we desperately need publicly financed elections for every elected position from dog catcher to President. Take the corporate and special interest money out of government and return the control of government to the people.

[readmoreoften]

9. Yip. Total sham.

Pluralist democracy is just rule by corporations. Like George Carlin said: "You don't have leaders. You have owners. They own you."