| INTERVIEW |
| Americans have been hearing the refrain for years now. "Our politics is broken". Do you believe this is true, and if so, in what ways is it broken? |
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What do you believe can or should be done to address the problems you have described? |
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What are you personally willing to do to help solve the problems you have described? |
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| INTERVIEW |
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Our politics is broken because it is corrupt, possibly totally corrupt and terminally. The entire process revolves around money - whoever can buy the politicians who are supposed to represent the will of the people, but instead represent the will of the mega-corporations and the fanatic religious (who themselves are tools of the corporations), rules.
The Supreme Court is blatantly corrupt. The Republicans have deteriorated into insane religious fundamentalism and openly are owned by the corporations. I doubt the Democrats are much more honest, but at least they pretend to represent the people, while continuing to take away our civil liberties with the back hand.
The people are misled by the corporate-owned media. An ill-informed populace is only handed candidates pre-chosen by the system; the military/industrial complex that President Eisenhower warned us about control the Pentagon and many of the politicians. What the people are told by the media about the candidates is very often not real information, but propaganda paid for by special interest groups.
There is nothing holding the media responsible for honesty. We no longer believe anything we are told, with good reason. Simply, big money controls our politics. The whole system is a farce.
- Presly Hollingsworth
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We have a two party system that listens to money not people. People that have money are heard and laws are passed that benifits mainly the rich. Such as George W. Bush and his great idea to give tax write-offs to corperations that send american Jobs overseas. Obama has done a good job as far as I am aware. But, in many ways his hands are tied. If we had a free democracy we would have more than two candidates to chose from and more than Democrat or Republican to chose from. The federal government broke up At&t they can pass laws for term limits and limit the amount of influence that comes from any given political party. A good start would be a limit on how many candidates a party can represent to 1/3 of all available positions. So that only 1/3 of the house or senate could be from one party. We also need reform on lobbyists. Any lobby request should be made public and in writing. There should be a web site available just for this purpose.
- Stephen Zimmerman
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I believe our politics is broken because the partisan approach using the paradigm of competition and control is dominant rather than the paradigm of collaboration and cooperation. Instead of addressing issues while trying to find solutions, the partisans march lock-step with their party in competing to "win" over the other Party. Instead of blaming the other Party for problems, they need to just say, "We have a problem, and how are WE going to fix it?"
I also believe it is broken because religious values have taken control of discussion rather than secular solutions.
David Kimball David.Kimball1@verizon.net
- David Kimball
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Politics is a broken system; for as many years as I can remember, elections are about taking polls, finding out what the people want and making promises to fight for these issues important to the people. This would be acceptable, but when politicians gain office, they forget about the people's wants/needs and cater to lobbyists and the wealthy who contribute to their camapaigns. I'm quite concerned about the top 1% who own more wealth than the other 99% combined. They are monopolizing the economic system - a practice that was taught as 'illegal' for most of my life. They own our country, the American people, and our government.
- Lori Sharp
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Yes, and the two words that make not only a fracture itself but also a bellwether are 'Citizens United'.
- Jeffrey Hatcher
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I am not speaking about any one person or position, but the system in general. It is owned by the 0.001%. Not the 5%, not the 1%, not even the 0.1% not the 0.01% but the 0.001%. Enough people for the totality to be generally unknown, but few enough to be able have their own communicative community network. Enough people who have their assets and resources hidden away from the Forbes and other top 1,000 or 10,000 ratings groups. They do not LOOK so wealthy, but throwing a couple of million dollars into a campaign, or a PAC supporting a Super-PAC means nothing to their lifestyles.
This is especially apparent in the Federal and State Legislatures, shaping and parsing their laws under Legislative Advisory Committees, especially the "American Legislative Exchange Council", an advisory group owned by corporations, and advising Legislators in the State Legislature how to write laws and apportion districts to keep the "right people" in power, State and Federal Governments. "ALEC" also buys their "judges" to support their uncontrolled privatization of public services. (See Judges in Pennsylvania and children in privatized prisons.)
The Federal Legislature is especially obvious since they are ever part of the NATIONAL conversation, and the most publicly known of our Government institution. The only more visible, and least "personally powerful" individual in the Government is the President, pushed forward or held back by the 535 members of the two Legislative Houses.
Too bad the Legislators are paid when they have more than enough to Legislate without needing to be paid. They are almost all millionaires, and those who are not, have more than enough money and external support to not need to be paid for their "National Service", connected and beholden to corporate interests for the jobs they will have when they leave their Government posts, higher pay for the longer they are in the Legislature. Too connected, to the people who pay for their campaigns, and those who are going to keep the comfort by their connections and new, post-Legislative employment. (Who to talk to, when, what they like or dislike, what rings whose bells, etc.) They are not lobbyists, but the advisers to lobbyists.
- Leon Stark
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I would think the answer is obvious myself. It appears to me that the only people who are able to run for office are either wealthy themselves or are backed by the wealthy. Theoretically there would be nothing wrong with this. Sadly it appears that the people who run all have their own agenda's to fill instead of the will of the people. It occurs to me that some sort of new system should be used that would make it possible for the more common wo/man to be able to run for office. Why can't news channels for instance allow possible candidates to be interviewed in each state candidates are from and allow the people to vote for a single candidate from each state? I also think the Constitution is taken to literally at times and the intent is left out. Of the people, by the people, for the people is kind of self explanatory thus, health care for example is left out in the cold "because it costs to much". It's also branded with the evil name Socialism or Socialist. Oh please. What is currently spent on private healthcare could be instead spent as a tax to a section of the Government already formed or revamped and everyone would have health care at the location of their choice and with the practitioner of their choice. Socialism or not, it's still Of the people, By the people, for the people. Yes, this would destroy private health care, however, if they cannot serve the purpose intended which is to provide health care for those that need it, so be it. Human beings should not be allowed to die due to a lack of health care in a civilized nation. Christianity is a touchy subject but in my humble opinion, it has absolutely nothing to do whatsoever with common sense decisions in Politics. In fact, Christianity is being used in Politics at this point in time in an attempt to control the People. Something that the Bible itself speaks against. If I were to run for office at this point in time and stated that I practice Hermetics for instance as my religion, I would be branded a Satanist. In actuality I could care less personally, but the ignorance of the general public would be played upon because the general public is clueless as to what Hermetics and Satanism entails, which brings me to my next point. Outright lying, taking things out of context and double speak has all driven me to the point that I trust no one in office,,, period. Using the above example of practicing Hermeticism, actually I do and am a practicing Chaoate. Yet instead of investigating my practices, at this point in time a rival candidate would condemn me for it when my practices evidently are more pure and integrity ridden than his/her claim to Christianity. Imho, I fully feel a third party needs to step up to bat. One that is based on honesty, integrity and civility where the people are concerned. We need to get back to Of the people, By the people and For the people instead of Of the wealthy, By the incorporated and For myself.
- Bob Fletcher
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We can no longer rely upon our political and civic and private institutions to advance and model civic virtue.
Checks and balances now center on narrow, selfish self-interest; ideology, and on Hatfields-and-McCoys-type squabbling.
Civic virtue among the general populace is in a death spiral, and our politics reflects that.
The US is too diverse for its politics. Or rather, US political and other institutions collectively are not up to the task of protecting and advancing the common good in such a diverse country -- one that is (or once was) theoretically a liberal constitutional republic.
We need to empower citizens with high levels of civic virtue to participate effectively in the checks and balances. And we need to encourage parents and schools to impart civic virtue in our children and young people.
Realistically, it's too late for that because our parents and our schools are not now able to model civic virtue themselves.
I suppose it will take a charismatic leader of a powerful movement to get the ball rolling. Maybe someday . . .
- Al Cannistraro
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Yes, it is true. Politics is now less and less a process, or means to achieve a representative, or even rational governance, but is more an end unto itself. Power self justifies. This is because 'We the people' are broken, divided, ignorant of the increasingly sophisticated means of manipulating our views, and the increasingly opaque motivations and methods at work. We are easily distracted by emotional wedge issues whenever convenient. Financial collapse due to removing the brakes from the car and blowing a 3 trillion dollar hole in the economy? No problem, Obama want's to take your guns, and he's a radical (black), socialist (black), Muslim (black). So it isn't far to the belief that everything would be fine if not for the recovery act. If we would just have let the markets work ( i.e fail except for the hedge funds owners), we'd be back full steam! Never mind...
It is our own expectations that we deserve to have what we want, but don't need to pay; deserve to be powerful, but don't want to work with others; deserve to have low gas prices and blame the government for our pain at the pump, even as we insist the government should have no role in regulating Wall street speculators and gas taxes shouldn't help build public transit. We lack the coherence that knowledge of history and the wider world brings. Our vision is locked into a misinterpreted definition of "liberty" and our own history based on a childish self-centered ethos fostered by our media culture and lack of interest in public dialogue. It is easier to just follow your team.
What to do? Nothing the Supreme Court would allow: Shorten the campaign season, require all donors to be publicly reported, end corporate person-hood, end the practice of lobbying by writing the bill, make the filibuster require actual presence and speech, end the secret hold on nominees and require a rationale to be stated. Majority vote should be the common way of doing common business, super majorities should be rarely required and reserved for significant revamps or reforms of government functions.
- James Ferguson
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Absolutely.
These two political potties do NOT represent me. We need about eight to twelve or so and a parliamentary system of government. There should be a school of public service for anyone contemplating public elective office. No one should be eligible without a degree from it. They allow an MD or a JD to practice on 3 years of training plus internship.
But we let our government officials waltz blithely around the world causing havoc.
We also need UNIVERSAL GOVERNMENTAL SERVICE ( THE DRAFT ).
Not just for the Military. that could be one choice. Betcha bippie you would not have found us in Afghanistan if the white middle class's kids were being sent there from the urban centers of the USA.
But we would rather sing " howya gonna keep em down on the farm ( or ghetto , or reservation ) after theyve seen Kandahar?
SHeesh
- Hal Weiner
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Our political system only works when there is compromise and civility. The Republicans currently in our legislative branches are vengeful, rigid and malicious to anyone even in their own party who does not fall in line lockstep with them. Instead of governing--their goal is to "make sure Obama is a one-term President." They block everything he does as well as all of his nominations to fill positions and then blame him for inaction when they have taken every step to thwart his efforts.
The media consolidation has resulted in canned "messages" that perpetuate rhetoric that does not allow us to dialogue intelligently and polarizes us. Both sides of every issue are not conveyed as they used to be during the Fairness Doctrine years. Also, since Citizen's United regurgitated from our highest court, the floodgates of monetary influence have flushed any credibility from candidates and serious issues that are before us as a nation.
Divided we fall...
- Rita Kiley
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to much big money in politics
- Eugene Mayfield
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Broken? Maybe damaged and limping along. In what way? What seems to be getting worse is that we seem to be heading back into an area of divisive politics, name calling takes the place of dialogue, partisanship trumps the good of the country as a whole, individuality leaves no room for the common good. The two sides need each other but no one can talk to anyone from the other side any more.
Or so it seems to me,
Mark
- Mark Merizan
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You must get rid of lobbyists and corporate maney by public financing of elections, so everyone has the same amount of money to spend on elections. We must start collecting signatures for a constitutional amendment to make this happen. It will take time but we must begin.
- Ina Ayliffe
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1) Corporations have "personhood" and all of the protections offered to REAL people under the Constitution. This is WRONG!
2) Since "Citizens United", the spending of money is considered a form of speech and is therefore protected under the 1st amendment... so the above corporations are now able to make unlimited campaign contributions.
3) Public policy is being drafted in favor of economic rationale, instead of in the best interest of real people - scientists are being ignored, people are being ignored, and taxpayers are being forced to fund subsidies to oil, coal, and agricultural industries that are doing more harm than good.
4) The electoral system was implemented at a time when ballots had to be carried on horseback. With all of the technology now available, and enough cyber-security to allow for banking and purchasing to be accomplished using smart phones, it is time for us to have a 1 person = 1 vote system.
5) Too many laws, and too little transparency! For all of the reasons above, we need to have a better system for writing and implementing laws. There are now enough laws on the books for any person to be sent to prison at any time, and yet the corporations that have the money to hire all the attorneys they want, are able to walk through loopholes and get away with poisoning our children, contaminating our air and water, bankrupting our communities, and dismantling our democracy. Perhaps a moratorium on new laws until all laws currently on the record are read and voted on by all citizens - line item veto style - would set things straight. Similarly, every new law should have to voted on by the public so the politicians and corporations can no longer sit in backroom making deals to slip shady legislation into place.
6) Not enough money or support for education - citizens need education in order to make good decisions when they vote... but of course that is why the corporate pundits are trying to demonize education as somehow promoting liberalism, promiscuity, and other bogeymen.
- Amy Conover
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Yes I believe the statement "Our politics is broken" is true. American politics is broken in many ways and at all levels of government. The principle reasons American politics is broken include: 1) the lack of financial limits and lack of donor transparency in campaigns, 2) the failure of the major political parties to address the primary issues facing the country such as the economy, education, and infrastructure, 3) the lack of civil discourse, 4) the lack of a national service requirement for all males and females, 5) reapportionment/redistricting that is managed by political parties, 6) the demonizing of different opinions, and 7) the attack on science.
- John Duffy
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Yes, our politics is broken. Money speaks louder than ideas. There is no way to get good information about and analyses of problems. Misinformation, disinformation and lies are tolerated everywhere and those who spread them are not called to task. Journalists are more interested in selling ads than in providing coverage of what's going on. Many people have lost sight of what democracy is about and how it functions... therefore they deal with frustration by not voting... the worst possible solution. But at the same time, many people who do vote are not well informed enough to know the implications of their decisions. We have no sense of the common good.
- Mary McAfee Sealing
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Our politics are definitely broken and have been for a number of years. When government officials stop listening to people and stop acting to benefit society as a whole the system stops working. Lobbyists are paid to represent big business and special interest groups so these entities get heard. The average citizen cannot afford to lobby and thus cannot afford to be heard. Governing now appears to be about making money and about getting re-elected, not about doing the right thing. America was founded on the principle of government for the people, by the people but it now seems that it the interests of the people are not represented. I also believe that being a goverment official was supposed to be a "civic duty" and not a career. Term limits should be put in place to prevent our representatives from making a career out of politics. It is hard to represent the people if you have lost touch with your constituents.
- Windy Bolger
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We no longer have a government of the people, by the people, for the people. First, you cannot run for Office unless you are either a wealthy citizen or willing to cater and sell your administration to the highest bidder. Our current Government officials do not care about the welfare of the people, they are there to push their own agenda be it religion,capitalism, cronyism, or nepotism. Laws are being enacted that cater to a select group of people as if we have rulers instead of officials.. Laws are being made to lock up more people to satisfy the prison industrial complex, wars are being waged to enrich the military, Taxes are being raised on the poor in order to transfer wealth to the rich.
Not only is our government broken, but it has been totally disabled, disassembled and reassembled into a creature that is totally unrecognizable.
- Renard Prather
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Yes, I believe our politics is broken. The first and most important way has to do with influence--money. Too few people now control too many, through the undue--even if Supreme Court supported--influence of cash. The second factor is ideology. It has become the card that trumps everything else. This "all or nothing" approach to politics is leaving us with "nothing." With no common ground and no common language, we simply cannot move forward as a united nation. If those two issues were dealt with, possibly through law and a democratically applied technology, we might have a chance to reclaim our country for all of the people, not just the few who are lucky enough to possess the keys of control.
- Cynthia McCoy
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I think the people running the country and some states are really, really, really out of touch with what it is like to be a person just trying to live out their lives. Some of the laws that are made or attempted at being made are a sign of that. Why are we still debating birth control? I once heard an expert talking about third world countries. He was asked what would help the economy of third world countries and he said--birth control. People could control how many mouths they had to feed. We have that now. It is not unethical to PREVENT a pregnancy.
- Cindy Goodrich
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It is broken because we the people have no power. Our only recourse is a corrupted vote every 2-4 or 6 years in elections that are tainted. Our only other recourse is to protest in the streets and I guess we know how well that doesn't work. We need direct democracy... We need a seat at the table or power and the only way to do that is to vote directly on more issues more often. We are capable of that but we need established law and procedures to legitimize it. WWW.vote.org We also need to fix the electoral systems we already have. We are attempting that piecemeal. Yes we should be fighting to change Citizens United but we should unite the movement for other reforms as well. We need to start the effort to move towards a full blown national discussion on The State of Our Democracy... it is not healthy. Many of the multiple systems that make it work or fail are failing and many best practices that we should implement are being ignored.
- George Ripley
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Yes, how true!! 1. Big corporations and special interests run our government because Congressmen and women rely on their $$$ to get re-elected. The common people and grass root organizations have no voice unless we do Tea Party or Occupy Wall Street stuff and that's extreme. We middle-of-the-roaders are not being heard at all. 2. How can one man (Grover Norquist) can get most of the Congress people to pledge not to raise taxes under any circumstances? How does that represent me in my district or state? I don't agree with that. It shouldn't be allowed. Talk about a special interest!!!! 3. And what about Citizens United? Corporations are NOT people! They should not have the privileges of voters. 4. What about all of the 4th Amendment rights that have been taken away in the name of "Homeland Security"? Basically many of the rights of "innocent until PROVEN guilty" have been stripped away. That's really scary. 5. The Electoral College no longer makes sense in the age of technology. That needs to be done away with and the person with the majority vote wins. 6. What about Voting Rights being gouged at every turn? I live in SC one of the states where voting rights are in peril. 7. The threat of the use of filibuster is past its usefulness & causes gridlock. Congressmen & their families need to live in Washington DC where they will meet each other socially and learn to act like decent adults during sessions instead of snotty spoiled children who take their toys and go home. 8. The government should not be in the business or regulating morality or promoting Christianity. I think many politicians have forgotten that. I believe in the principle of separation of church and state. Keep religion in the churches and private homes. If you're against abortion, don't have one. If you don't think using contraception is right, don't buy it. If you don't like homosexuals, don't be one. But leave the rest of us the hell alone! Get the government out of our doctor's offices, medical clinics, bedrooms and weddings (except for safety regs). 8. Churches shouldn't get their way because they "don't want to pay for things against their religion." I pay everyday for wars & executions I don't believe in. Living in a larger society requires we do things that may not appeal to every person. And the churches don't pay taxes, so too bad!!
- KATHY MCGROGAN
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As a Democrat it would be easy for me to gloat about the political situation this country finds itself in today. But I will not do that, on the contrary, I fear for the continued democratic vibrancy of my country. It is clear to me, and others of like mind, that something is seriously amiss in our contemporary political culture. In a two-party political system, such as ours, it is crucial that both parties function together to solve our country's most pressing economic, social and political problems. That is not occurring now. We speak of Left and Right as if one is more viable than the other. I ask, "which wing of a bird is more important to him?"
- Ron Gordon
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I believe that it is true in two ways. Firstly, "politician" has become a profession in and of itself. As such, the notion of representing your neighbors, colleagues, etc has been lost in the quest for more money, power, status - all in the name of representation. Who can blame them? These politicians are merely playing the game that bigger money has slowly but purposefully created and our sheep-like society has allowed it to happen because "Me brain hurt when think about civics, economics, policy implications, welfare, war, healthcare - now let me watch American Idol. Me think they good. Mmmm, cheese in a can...."
It seems, however, that the great unwashed still thinks that they are sending to Washington or the state house or City hall their best and brightest to speak for those who elected him/her. What utter nonsense. The political media machine has taken the attitude of: "If I wanted your opinion, I'd have told you what it is."
Secondly, those hometown folk who DO get slightly involved in politics (i.e. vote) are so malleable of mind, values and spirit that they cannot formulate an informed opinion for themselves or at least proffer a well-crafted point on an issue, so they (like most Americans) take the lazy way out and just rely on whatever sanctimonious, self-righteous, egomaniacal piss-pot happens to be on the radio station/news channel that carries their favorite sports team. "Ya knoe, thatz wut the big fat oxy-addict sez. So ya knoe it rite."
We elect our "leaders" based on 10 second soundbites and misleading if not outright false advertising. We are not curious enough to investigate an issue to determine our opinion - that requires intelligence and discernment. Few have the capacity to care about anything unless they think it will take away our remote, beer, internet porn or distraction du our. So, we will glom onto an "issue" that someone else is passionate about. I mean really, what qualifications do I, as a male, have to even offer an opinion about female contraception? But still there are way too many of "non-ovaried Americans" posturing and blustering about this "issue" don't you think?
We have lost our way and we are to blame.
- Perry Ford
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The competition in politics has become so infused with fear that it has nearly reached total dysfunction. The political system reinforces irresponsible election winning behavior rather than striving to find real solutions to do what is best for our country. Politicians say anything but do nothing. It appears that the norms for behavior in Washington and our state capitals forbid practicality and compromise, let alone collaboration in the name of what is best for us. There are no longer any statesmen or stateswomen.
The acceptance of, and contribution to, dishonest and inflammatory commentary by politicians in service to some infantile ideology has become disgusting.
- Tim Boone
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Not sure 'broken' properly conveys the issue as much as 'dysfunctional'. Too many variables come into play. Firstly, unregulated funds--solved by full and complete disclosure of the source, no more nameless, faceless PACs. Next repeal Citizens United. Third and last, in this day of high speed computers, YouTube videos and all manner of fact checking we should have immediate next day verification of false claims. And when blatant lies are claimed then candidates should be held responsible and accountable for their lies, falsehoods and distortions.
- Martin Ryszka
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Politics has become very partisan, with no willingness to listen and reason across the aisle.
- Hemant Patel
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The corporate-controlled two party machine has resulted in a "Wall Street government" of, by, and for the rich ruling elite. Congress and the White House are more corrupt than at any point in U.S. history! Only a voters revolution that replaces Democrats and Republicans with independents, Greens, and other alternatives can restore democracy and end the wars for oil, replace fossil fuels and nuclear power with clean renewable sources, provide Medicare for all, remove corporate and PAC money from elections, and give control of our society to We the People!
- Peter White
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I BELIEVE THIS IS NOT TRUE," OUR DEMOCRAT POLITICS AND OUR DEMOCRAT PRESIDENT OBAMA ARE THE BEST"
- marco perez
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Big, hidden money plays such a large role in politics that even to call our current political organization "democratic" seems a stretch.
Does "democratic" merely mean "everyone gets to vote"? If everyone gets to vote on one of two candidates each of whom is overwhelming supported by disturbingly large corporate interests, how is that astonishingly better than "everyone gets to vote yes or no on one candidate"? Witness Romney's ability to win by outlasting and outblasting is opponants because he has enough money to buy more ads.
It's broken too by the ideological refusal of the radical right, the so-called "Tea Party" to work with the left--or even with the moderate right. The absurd "no tax pledge" has painted these idiots into a corner, or rather they've painted themselves into a corner by signing it.
- Alan Lindsay
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This has been said many times before, said better than I can say it, our representatives do not represent us.
- Michael Keough
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I believe our politics is broken because neither side wants to hear what the other side has to say. The current legislators with few exceptions do not serve the people. It takes so much money to get elected they only focus on re-election and not on how to serve the people. Our government was founded to be a citizen run government but average Americans can not afford to serve because they don't have the funds to get elected.
Each political party wants only to hear what they have to say and their solutions. Republicans will not even consider proposals by the President or the Democrats, any attempts to reach out and compromise is met with hostility and lies.
We have become a nation of selfish people to a certain extent only seeing what we want and what benefits us and not the whole country. Even when I was a young girl during the civil rights movement I don't think I have seen as much hatred and fear in our country. People claiming they want their America back, not wanting the President to talk to their children in a classroom about how important it is to stay in school. I ask them what has changed in America, what have they lost. Nothing, they are so blinded by hatred they can't see things that benefit them.
I pray every day for our country so it finds it's heart again! Yes, I am a liberal, Democrat, proud to be Catholic and I do pray every day!
- Anna Marie Zahn
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It is all about the money! Politicians are bought by big money interests and the 99% of us just don't matter any more. Campaign finance reform was supposed to be a tool to molify this situation, but it seems that we have the best government that money can buy.
- Michael Bowman
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I believe the phrase "Our politics is broken" is true. It is true because politicians do not represent all their constituents, just those with money who buys them votes and legislation, and the politicians profit off of that. Also, certain politicians who profit most from this gentleman's agreement also convince the population that when the government and the people do their jobs to represent the interests of the people that it is "big government interfering." A lot of them prefer the privilege of the title and not the vocation of their job.
The problem is also trickles down to the people, who cannot have a civil political discussion anymore because people just want their views confirmed and somehow that means that that is proof that people respect them. Is it possible to respectfully disagree anymore? Of course, if our government is the reflection of the constituency, then maybe we deserve the government we have. But, I live and work to make the latter sentence false.
- Tim Collingwood
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Yes, it is true and it is getting worse given the political posturing by both Republican and Democratic parties. I would frame the question as Our government is broken and politics is one cause of the breakdown.
Olympia Snowe's announcement that she is leaving the Senate because she can no longer stand the partisanship and refusal to compromise for the good of the country.
Playing chicken with our debt ceiling resulting in a downgrade of the US from AAA to AA was inexcusable.
Not passing a federal budget is another example.
Passing unfunded mandates at the federal level and expecting states to pay
Not allowing presidential appointments to have an up or down vote in 90 days or some other limit
Refusing to appoint the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau head because they don't like the Bureau even though the man is well qualified
Doing everything possible to thwart the critical provisions of Dodd - Frank (I'm not a fan of over regulation, but understand we can't let banks to continue their unbelievable risk taking at the expense of taxpayers.
Appointing commissions (Simpson - Bowles) and ignoring the results.
Using media to spin political agendas as fact rather than debating and explaining proposed legislation in fact-based non-partisan terms.
Appointing Supreme Court judges that have obvious political agendas
Using fake filibuster as a tool for lazy Senators to threaten, not actually filibuster.
Refusing to look at both cost and revenue in trying to deal with our debt.
The Grover Norquist influence on Congress by threatening to oppose any Republican that dares to break the no tax increase pledge.
The inept leadership of Harry Reid and John Boehner indicating the quality of members of Congress
Republicans trying to pass a bill that restricts women's rights to appropriate healthcare letting the religious right drive the ridiculous
Having money drive our election processes in unprecedented ways such that special interests elect Congress and the President, not the people.
Thanks for the opportunity to participate - - Best Wishes to Shared Purpose - Ray Hudkins
- Ray Hudkins
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Big money is far too influential.
Politicians oversimplify complex issues in order to remain in office.
Rush Limbaugh and his ilk are too influential.
Politicians cater ("pander") to demographic groups. We need leaders that lead -- who lift up the electorate.
***
On Rootstrikers, Lawrence Lessig says
Our republic is dangerously out of balance.
Well-financed special interests routinely bend the levers of power to benefit the few at the expense of our general welfare.
Political bribery has been legalized by the courts, and both major parties have been co-opted and corrupted by the system.
The result: The upper 1% have done well. The other 99% of us have been left behind. And now we've reached a breaking point.
Rootstrikers is aimed at restoring power over American politics and government to 100% of the people.
We hope patriots of all political persuasions will join us to help build an unstoppable grassroots movement that demands and delivers lasting reforms.
Henry David Thoreau wrote, "There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root." Together, we must strike at the root of America's problems. Join us.
- Bruce Schuman
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