If health care reforn hasn't shown us anything else

[madokie]

at least we all should be able to see how we have to have election reform before we get anything else passed that is good for the common person. We have to stop the money interest in washington or we continue the present path we as a country is on which from what I can see is a downward slide in living conditions for us serfs.

[Bigmack]

1. I've got nothing against lobbyists....

just as long as they have no money to spread around!

They could talk to congresspeople and threaten/persuade with reason and votes, but not with money.

It's a dream, I know, but.....

[tomp]

10. money is the only thing that gets lobbyists near politicians.

politicians clearly have never been interested in what i or anyone else without money have to say.

[Edweird]

2. True. But the catch-22 is getting the politicians to agree to it.

I don't have a degree in political science, but it doesn't take one to see how unlikely that is.

[madokie]

4. If nothing else this debate on heathcare has also shown us

that the pols will say and do anything to keep that money rolling in. I have no answers as to how to do it but I do know that time is running out on us on this as we're getting closer to serfdom with each new day and each dollar spent buying our congress critters, many of who are really really cheap

[warren pease]

7. We need to buy a few senators and a baker's dozen house members ourselves...

Campaign finance reform is the single lynchpin that's blocking complete, top to bottom reform of this entire banana republic-like corporatocracy.

But unless and until either a) MoveOn starts to flex its fund raising muscles to collect enough money to buy a few senators and members of the house (a slim chance at best), or b) house and senate members (and their staffers) somehow all get "sanctified" and renounce their corporate employers in favor of doing the right thing for the people who elected them (no chance whatsoever)...

The peasantry -- which would be us -- is going to get the shitty end of the stick while our elite caste of corporate welfare queens whoosh by in their silent black limos, windows opaque against prying eyes, on their way to the local aerodrome where they'll board one of their finest executive toys, made by Lear or Gulfstream, and jet across "the pond" for another well-earned golfing vacation... this time touring Ireland and the Scottish coast.

Just watch these tortured, twisted, illogical Texas two-steps they do when trying to justify the concept that their own Cadillac health care plans -- which will follow them and their extended families around for life -- are just too good for the peasantry. Their concerns lie with an entirely different demographic -- the political donor class.

Those people ain't us and we will never be their primary constituency until we either buy them ourselves or demand that politicians and their sugar daddies part company for good.

And since they can't be trusted to take those steps without a huge kick in the ass pointing them in the right direction, we must learn to vote these lying corporate tools out each and every time one of them comes up for reelection.

You can probably count the exceptions on both hands and feet with a couple of toes left over. They do not have names like Reid, Pelosi, Nelson (either one), Clinton, Emanuel, Hoyer, Landrieu, Harman, Carper, Baucus or (unfortunately) Obama or Biden. Nor do they hide behind that little "d" after their names and state IDs.

They do have names like Lee, Wexler, Kucinich, Waters, Sanders, Merkley, Franken, Woolsey, Stark, Farr and (I hope) at least a couple dozen more.

And they sure as hell never, ever have a little "r" following them around like some code letter standing for "revolting" or "repugnant" or "reactionary." Or maybe a simple "rotten rat bastard" sums it all up nicely.


sf


(the former "Warren Pease" now writing as Steven Franklin because, well..., that's like sorta two-thirds of my real name. Close enough fer gummint work.)

[rucky]

5. Yep. It's up to the people who benefit from the current rules

to change them. Not likely until we vote contrary to campaign dollars spent.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

3. I wonder how different things would be if politicians had to swear

to an oath of poverty.


http://www.biography-center.com/biographies/1157-Gandhi_Mohandas.html

Born in 1869, Mohandas Gandhi was the son of the Prime Minister of Porbandar and his fourth wife. His father’s first two wives left him with a daughter each. Gandhi’s mother doted on him and allowed him to learn from her in many ways. She taught him about vegetarianism and self-purification through fasting. His mother also believed in mutual tolerance between all people regardless of religion, background or culture.

At the young age of thirteen, Gandhi faced an arranged marriage and took Kasturba Makhanji to be his wife. They had four sons. In 1888, when Gandhi was eighteen, he left for University College London where he was supposed to train as a barrister (attorney). While he was away at college, Gandhi developed further interest in religion and was introduced to Bhagavad Gita. It was the book that taught him most about other religions including Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam as well as others.

In 1915, Gandhi went home to India. He immediately joined a rising movement and fell into the Indian National Congress. It was during this movement that Gandhi’s theories were widely accepted on his three beliefs. These personal philosophies including home rule, non-violence and overall welfare of all.

In 1919, through the efforts of Mohandas Gandhi, a Non-Cooperation Movement encouraged Muslim participation. This movement resulted in a six-year prison term for Gandhi due to the upheaval and disturbance caused throughout India.

Throughout his life, Gandhi was a political force to be reckoned with in his country. His beliefs on peaceful resistance where resistance was necessary drew various and controversial opinions. Later in life, he became involved in a movement known during the post Independence period as shaping India.

Gandhi’s notorious fasting including the task of fasting during various events. On January 30, 1948, Gandhi was shot by Nathuram Godse. Gandhi was on his way to a prayer meeting when he was shot at point blank range. Mohandas Gandhi is still remembered as the "Father of the Nation" and considered an inspirational force when political movements take on a non-violent approach or movement in political realms.

[patrice]

6. That IS what it all boils down to. With a few exceptions, these people do NOT represent us. nt

[Cleita]

8. We gotta take to the streets for that and let them know we mean business.

It's going to be a hard push though. Torches and pitchforks for honest elections and elected officials who aren't bribed and corrupted by special interests are what is needed.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

9. Alas, the politcians aren't about to kill the golden goose that pays them.