Why congress can't solve our problems

[Uben]

It's impossible. Why? Because congress IS the problem! It's not the banks, it's not the corporations, it's not even the republicans, the problem is the people we have elected. They simply take the lobbyists money and do nothing to stop the pillaging of American citizens. It's easy for them because all they have to do is nothing and pocket the money!
When are Americans going to realize that our elected congressmen are the reason we are in the shape we're in? They could change everything that's wrong with our banking system, they could change our taxing structures to be more fair to the middle class, they could control environmental destruction, simply by passing legislation to do so. This is how the founding fathers intended it to be.
Yet, we get excuses like "gridlock", partisan politics, and "we don't have the votes".
People, we have got to elect congressmen who vote with American's best interest in mind and not corporations. We have got to eliminate the corporations buying legislation. We have got to hold our elected officials accoountable and if they vote for special interests over ours, they need to be recalled and exiled.
We will never solve our problems until this is addressed. The middle class will never make a comeback, the American Dream will remain elusive, and the numbers of impoverished will keep climbing until we MAKE THEM VOTE FOR OUR INTERESTS!
Where do we start? We start at ground level, with every citizen in every district demanding their elected officials vote for their interests. We take away the lobby money altogether. Corporations have the right to lobby, but they were never given the right to buy legislation. We start there.....stop the flow of lobby money. Kill K street...strangle that son of a bitch until it hasn't a breath left! Demand every elected official reveal where every dollar they take in comes from, and if it is from anywhere other than registered American voters, fire their ass and send em walking!

It isn't rocket science. We all know what the problem is. The lawyers make the laws, and they do it to benefit themselves instead of us, and we allow it. Why?

We need to pound this message to the media, scream it from the rooftops, have millions march on Washington D.C. We have to take back our government from the clutches of special interests if we are to ever make headway. Anything short of that is futile. I know it and you know it.

IS this a rant? You damned right it is! It's also a plea. We have to unite to bring about change. Not as democrats and republicans, but as Americans who are fed up with the status quo where the rich get richer at our expense. We outnumber them ten to one yet we are the ones getting shafted.

[KharmaTrain]

1. And Your Solution?

Eliminate the House & Senate and let the President dictate by Fiat?

Now when you say "our interests"...that's not what running for Congress is all about. It's representing the "interests" of the people who elect them. Yes, money is a big problem as we have a 24/7 all the time election cycle now...no sooner is one election over but the next one begins. The costs of running for the House now are a minimum of $1 million and a Senate seat even in a small state is a minimum $10 million dollar game. Politicians have to constantly "fundraise" or risk losing their gig. Campaign finance reform is talked about but nothing is done...and now we have a Supreme Court all set to make things worse.

So what's the answer? Yes, there are people who are demanding their politicians vote for their interests...such as those who are reliant on the military-industrial complex jobs in their district or a major medical company employing hundreds in the district or a manjor manufacturer who survive off of government subsidies. What's your "interests" aren't always those of the people who elect.

To many of us, the most reprehensible thing about the rushpublicans is their groupthink...their lack of any true conviction. The Democrats have a large party with many iterests that we hope converge on major issues, but not always. In 2006 and 2008 it was getting control of the levers of power...getting more and more Democrats elected. Now that this goal has been achieved, it's time to help fund and elect BETTER Democrats. The only way to beat the system is within and the job of getting a Progressive Democratic majority has just begun.

[Uben]

3. That's a pipedream

You will not see a progressive majority in your lifetime. I doubt it will ever happen, not that it should not be a goal. And what good will it do if we allow special interests to buy legislation? None. Money corrupts everyone, progressives included. Until we address that problem, change will not happen. Period.

[KharmaTrain]

5. That's A Bigger Pipedream

Sad to say money makes the world go around...especially in politics and always has. The best is to find ways to neutralize the "bad" money with "good" money, but money will always be the oil and the heroin of the politician. With money comes power and influence and then visa versa.

Some believe term limits would prevent this...but is unconstitutional. Others believe campaign finance reform to the extent of having only publicly financed campaigns would do it...but again there are serious constitutional questions and no incumbent poitician with a brain cell is going to vote in favor of giving their opponent the chance to play on a level field.

If there's been a lesson in the past four years with the netroots, it was that Progressives can flex a bit of muscle in the Democratic party with their checkbooks...helping fund better candidates and is that money intent on corruption? Depends on your perspective.

For my too many years on this rock, I've heard many propose to reform the system...always a pipedream. The game has to be won from within...warts and all.

[HotJohnee]

2. Why congress can't solve our problems

Are you suggesting we overthrow congress?

[Obamanaut]

4. Vote in some new ones rather than keep the old for an entire career.

Stop voting for one because of "the name you know" - that doesn't work any more.

[Uben]

6. Or just take away the lobby money

If that is a pipedream, we will never change things.