Can politicians be on the side of the people ...?

[kentuck]

....at the same time they are on the side of big banks and multi-national corporations?

Can they serve at the benefit of both?

Or will the powerful wipe out the little guy? And just what should be the jobs of politicians? Are they sent to Washington to feather their own nest? Are they sent to pay back the wealthy and powerful for their contributions? Are they sent there to represent the little guy? The powerful don't need help. It is the common man and woman. It is the one who must struggle to make ends meet each and every day. They must worry about food and shelter and the well-being of their children.

Are our politicians doing their job? Are they looking out for the people? Have they lost sight of their responsibilites? Are they afraid to challenge the wealthy and powerful?


.

[Scuba]

1. No....

...politicians should be on the side of the People only. Any conflict of interest is a detriment to their ability to serve the People.

We should have publicly financed elections, and other safeguards to ensure that the best interests of the People are being served.

Why should Americans allow politicians to serve any interest that is not in the best interest of the People?


Of the People, by the People, for the People.

[RKP5637]

6. This is true, but 'we the people' seem wholly ineffective in throwing them out

and changing the rules. We also have SCOTUS against 'we the people' with Citizens United, etc.

In this country money = power, as with most, and the cornered wealth in this country has the power, so 'we the people' talk and whine, but the system plows on as is.

And we have unprecedented levels of propaganda and slick marketing selling the stage-front politicians to the masses with huge sums of money exchanging hands. 'We the people' can not compete until 'we the people' get our act together and run them off the stage.

And combined with this we have a dumbed down population and many proud of their ignorance, misstated facts and a warped perception of history.

And with that 'the blinded faithful' acting on command from their pastors, leaders of the flock.

[Scuba]

8. The solution is to educate and register voters before it's too late. n/t

[vi5]

2. They are sadly a rarity any more

Some can be on the side of the people. But they are far out numbered by the ones out to feather their own nests and who cozy up to big business and the banks and Wall St.

And even if someone manages to stay on the side of the people, they aren't allowed an ounce of power or control. Look at who even the Dems give their chairmanships and make committee heads, etc.

[Le Taz Hot]

3. What's that old Christian saying?

"You can't serve two masters." Particularly when they are diametrically opposed. We need new blood in D.C.

[kentuck]

4. Is this not an important question? n/t

??

[originalpckelly]

5. Of course not.

One day people will realize how mathematically impossible it is for the "representatives" to represent the people of our nation.

[RKP5637]

7. Excellent point! n/t

[alc]

9. not career politicians in the US

Once they've made that their career instead of a short term job they have to do what it takes to get re-elected. Most voters are "always D" or "always R". Politicians have to focus on getting enough of the others to vote for them. Most US voters don't pay much attention except late in the campaign, so being able to lie convincingly in the campaign is what it takes to get the voters who may go either way. The rest of the time they need to focus on getting enough campaign money to get their lies out and voting on both sides of any issue they can so they can back up their lie.

[LiberalEsto]

10. We don't have enough money

to attract their interest.

[RKP5637]

11. And the goal of a runaway capitalistic system by design, a few have all of

the corned wealth and power, and the majority have not enough money and hence nothing to attract their interest.

[deacon]

12. The root is the money. Billions of dollars to get elected is destructive and absurd. n/t

[KharmaTrain]

13. Who Do Our Politicians Really Work For?

The only time "the people" matter is on election day. One day out of two years for a Congresscritter and six years for a Senator. The rest of the time they are in fundraising mode to make it possible to afford to make it to the next election day. The rising costs of our non-stop election cycle mean the next election will be more expensive than the last so no sooner is one election done the fundraising for the next begins.

Those rising costs are in several areas. Most notable is the high costs of advertising...especially television. The broadcasters and cables have become suckers for the free and easy campaign cash and make sure the candidates pay top dollar as much and as often as possible. Avoid television at your peril and if your opponent spends big, you need to double down as well or get buried. The money for this air arms race has to come from somewhere. And try to regulate the cost of the advertising? Forget it...the broadcast lobby makes sure their politicians wheels get greased to keep their gravy train on track.

Those who write the checks...the big ones...are the ones who our politicians work for cause without them they can't afford the big coin to keep their high profile gigs. This goes double for corporations that operate in their districts as keeping those big donors and the voters who work for those companies happy goes a long way to keeping that Rep. or Sen. title on the door.

Since it's all but impossible to get any meaningful campaign finance reforms passed or the current laws enforced, I'd favor shortening the campaign season. Let's take a page from the British and make campaigns no longer than 90 days from declaration of candidacy to the actual vote. Compressing the time means the spending won't be as much...but that still doesn't address the influence...

[blindpig]

14. Nope. The state is the ruling class's means of social control.

Although some leeway is allowed in order to keep up appearances politicians in capitalist society are the creatures of the ruling class.

[kentuck]

15. We can't handle the truth.

Would you please stop?

[blindpig]

17. kentuck...

I'm not sure if you left the sarcasm tag off or not.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

16. The follow up quistion: Why is anyone surprised that so many people don't bother to vote?

"History has tried to teach us that we can't have good government under politicians.  Now, to go and stick one at the very head of government couldn’t be wise." Mark Twain