This week, the ongoing impact of money on our politics made a starring appearance on the national stage. In Wisconsin, Governor Scott Walker fought off a bid to recall him, aided by an eight-to-one fundraising advantage over his Democratic opponent. In the presidential race, Mitt Romney's campaign announced it had raised nearly $77 million in May, close to $17 million more than the combined take of President Obama and the Democratic National Committee. The Obama camp trumpeted the fact that its average donation was just over $50, but admitted in a fundraising email: "We got beat." And a new poll showed that the approval rating for the Supreme Court, responsible for the super-PAC-unleashing Citizens United ruling, had dipped to a 25-year low, with three-quarters of Americans saying the justices allow personal or political views to influence their decisions. The justices will, of course, object. But if so... overruled.
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Mitt Romney wants to spin the recall elections as proof that American want fewer cops, teachers and firefighters, but what the recall really showed was that no matter how incompetent or despised you are, all you need to do to win an election is outspend your opponent.
As my mother used to say, the American electorate "are stupid and have a short memory," and I see no reason to change that perception.
If we believe money makes a difference (and I do), then we have to ask ourselves whether it's not the democratic system itself that has a conceptual problem...an unsustainable problem.
In the US only, we have 47% of people who identify themselves with creationism... that stat alone almost is killing the credibility of democracy and speaks for what "tyranny of the majority" could be... frightening..
... and with no solution...
The Constitution and the model for our current system of governing was drawn up hundreds of years ago. It should be apparent to anyone who reviews the events of the last dozen years or so that it is no longer relevant (enough) and is not working.
Our government is supposed to reflect the will of the people, and yet it only reflects the will of a few people who have a great deal of wealth....This was evident even before the Citizens United ruling, but that ruling sealed the deal for large powerful rich interests which now influence politicians and elections to excess, and thus, essentially rule.
Money rules. Ours is no longer a government "by the people, for the people"..
Basing your point on cherry picking and misrepresentation is not the best way to garner support.
http://www.cfinst.org/Press/Releases/08-10-24/McCain_Outspent_by_Obama_in_First_Half_of_October.aspx
= It was the Republican Appointees on the Supreme Court who voted for "Citizens" United, killing decades, if not more, of Precedent & Legislation, equating Money with speech & large Corporations
with the electorate.
=It was the Republicans on the Supreme Court -- as part of their Party's relentless fiight against the recount of the Popular Vote -- who Superceded Florida's Supreme Court's ORDER to recount those votes (which if allowed to take its course the GOP would have lost)-- In an outrageous Rulling that it was against GWB's civil rights to recount because he was not the one to despute it!!
= During the 1year+ of Bipartisan hearing for the Affordable Care Act -- Where HUNDREDS of Republican Amendments were Included or voted on -- Despite what the Republican Lie machine would have you believe -- Which reduces Insurance Company Profit MARGINS from 33% to 15% -- The now Republican Speaker of the House, then, met w/over 100 Insurance Company Lobbyists (Who make $500,000-700,000 a year) About what more the Republican Party can do for them.
Not to mention that those who Organized the Tea Party (Like Dick Army) are themselves such opeatives.
And many thousand more Contexts & Facts -- That the Beltway Media FAILS to report DAILY that
showing what a Democracy Trampling, Treasuryt Looting, Middle Class & Government Destroying, and Cheap Labor Seeking, Party the Gas & Oil Party of LIES realy is!
have to ask the BELTWAY OUT OF CONTEXTERS & DISREPORTERS MEDIA (BM), not just
the blood sucking propagandists at the FoxAMRadio,Newsmax Etc. Republican Lie machine)
The President was talking about what he's been talking about since Day1 on behalf of Our Future
& SUSTAINABLE Prostperity!
A)That while 4.2MILLION PRIVATE SECTOR (NET) Jobs were created in the last 27 Months
B)450,000 LOCAL PUBLIC SECTOR Jobs were Lost! In particular TEACHERS & Construction workers (Some say 600,000 were Lost)
C)And that House & Senate Republicans should be helping pass his Jobs Agenda!
D)Which Would Assisgt State & Local Government ** WHERE THE TAX PAYERS LIVE**
Do their jobs!
1)Putting the Teachers (CRITICAL TO OUR FUTURE & Workforce) back to work!
2) Put CONSTRUCTION WORKERS TO WORK = Who --Due to the Housuing Meltdown- have
a Particularly High Unemployment Rate, REBUILDING Roads, Bridges, Railways (which in turn helps *** OUR MANUFACTURING & EXPORTS**)
3) While Revamping the Electical Grid will handle Furute Loads ALONG W/Continued Energy Efficiency WORK of Government Buidings (which saves everyone money)
***And who could doubt that Large Corporations (with $2 Trillion on the books) are doing better than State & Local Government!!
Recently a GOP operative stated that "We are in trouble if the economy improves" and with far too many Construction workers voting GOP (And against their own interests) No wonder House&Senate
Leaders just said that they have no intention of passing anything
So people with money do influence my vote, and I think they should. In fact, I seek out their counsel.
If you don't understand that, city council member, then I'd vote against you. I'd campaign against you. Maybe I'd even run against you.
if we cooperate and stop listening to the money, it would have no influence... we need to vote them all out... every election... that takes cooperation, and as i don't see that happening, I'm voting democrat... if at all
When people assume others are willing to follow their lead but they aren't, it's never a good thing.
peace
Democrat Congressmen and Senators voting with the Cons, and repeatedly defeating the Presidents bills. A weak Attorney General. A carry over Cabinet from Bush. Financial advisors from the con house of Goldman Sacks. Now, YOU tell ME, who should I vote for, next time around.?