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Forum Post: The corporations have our politicans eating from thier hands!!!

Posted 12 years ago on Jan. 3, 2012, 10:54 p.m. EST by LSN45 (535)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

There are a lot of improvements that need to be made. The list of reforms Americans want to see is long and varied depending on who you talk to. That said, I believe there is one reform that would provide the American people the best chances of seeing other meaningful reforms actually happen - that is REAL, loop-hope free CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM! I have seen others on this site calling this the "fulcrum" or pivotal issue. Right now the current legalized bribery, pay-to-play system of campaign donations and paid lobbyists has disenfranchised the American voter. Until this is fixed, any other reform the politicians may try to placate us with (be it a change to healthcare, clamping down predatory school loans, new financial regulations, etc.) will be about as effective as a farmer putting a new roof on his CHICKEN COOP, but still letting the FOX guard it.

We need to go back to the original political currency. Instead of the current system of who can collect the most money from corporations and special interests it should be who has the BEST IDEAS to EFFECTIVELY RUN THE COUNTRY (we don't need "Wealth Redistribution," what we need is "Political Influence Redistribution")!

For the sake of our children and future generations of Americans, we need to take back our democracy from the rich and powerful who are using their vast sums of money to "speak" as if they represent millions of Americans. This "Corporate Personhood" that has crept into our laws is allowing them to manipulating our policies in their favor at the expense of the average American (the recent "Citizens United" Supreme Court ruling is a miscarriage of justice and must be reversed. The $50 or $100 a normal American may give to a political campaign becomes meaningless when corporations or other special interests are handing our millions to buy political access to the decision making process.

For decades now the corporations and special interests have had our "representatives" bought and paid for (both on the right and the left). Concentrating our efforts on getting the money out of our politics is the best way we can create an environment in which further reforms can be realized. Until we end the current system of legalized bribery (campaign donations) and paid lobbying our politicians will continue to be the LAP DOGS of the corporations and special interests. What we need first and foremost is real, loop-hole free CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM!!!! If the corruption is not dealt with first, the chance of any other meaningful reforms becoming a reality is almost zero - the special interests will just use their money to buy votes and put forward bills that create loop-holes or otherwise twist the law in their favor. If we want our children to live in a country where there vote matters, we need to get the money out of our politics, otherwise they will increasingly become the 21st century version of the "landless peasant." Spread the word - End the LEGALIZED BRIBERY!!! CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM needs to be THE main goal of the protests!!!

16 Comments

16 Comments


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[-] 2 points by the99areLazy (14) from Benton, PA 12 years ago

I may disagree with ows, but I agree with your principle.

If you take the money out of politics you will get people in government who want to do their job. This is not just the corporations doing, most of it is a scumbag politician who takes campagin donations from people to get a six figure salary to do nothing productive.

If you take the money out, it will also be alot easier for people who want to benifit America to run for political positions.

[-] 2 points by LSN45 (535) 12 years ago

How long has it been "the lesser of two evils" when choosing a candidate. All of them are bought and paid for the special interests. The establishment loves to see the American people polarized into a stupid "right vs. left" hometown football rivalry - meanwhile they, who don't really represent our interests, are laughing all the way to the bank. Keep your ear to the ground on this and be ready to act when it gains traction. I don't agree with everything everyone at OWS is saying either (it is a very large and diverse group), but I totally agree with this one. If this can get fixed then the true will of the American people, not the corporations and ruling elite, will be heard and reflected in our laws.

[-] 1 points by username2011 (59) 12 years ago

"I may disagree with ows, but I agree with your principle."

This is exactly what I'm talking about when I say that OWS can be a much more effective and powerful movement if it will focus on this one critical goal that A MAJORITY of Americans (even those who disagree with other OWS principles) support! Why is it so hard for OWS to see that it has so many potential allies around this issue?!!! DUH!!!! Instead of building a truly massive movement around this issue, it keeps shooting itself in the foot with radical theatrics and divisive tactics. Please see this also: http://www.occupywallst.org/forum/ows-image-problem-jeopardizes-potential-support/

[-] 2 points by HitGirl (2263) 12 years ago

If we do not rule the new "global" corporations they will rule us. They are shitting on American labor and buying our politicians. They are a threat to democracy and America.

[-] 1 points by the99areLazy (14) from Benton, PA 12 years ago

And what corporations might that be?

There are no "global" corporations that will rule us. It's our government.

[-] 3 points by HitGirl (2263) 12 years ago

Sen. Bernie Sanders has proposed a constitutional amendment that would overturn the Supreme Court decision in a case called Citizens United vs. FEC.

The Saving American Democracy Amendment states that:

Corporations are not persons with constitutional rights equal to real people.
Corporations are subject to regulation by the people.
Corporations may not make campaign contributions or any election expenditures.
Congress and states have the power to regulate campaign finances.
[-] 1 points by the99areLazy (14) from Benton, PA 12 years ago

I agree on this amendment and I hope it gets passed.

However, you did not answer my question.

[-] 2 points by HitGirl (2263) 12 years ago

BP for one. Chevron, GE, anything owned by the Kochs. Try reading Vulture's Picnic if you think I'm wrong.

[-] 1 points by the99areLazy (14) from Benton, PA 12 years ago

I will read it but there is a second part too my question.

What are they doing to be a "global" corporation?

[-] 2 points by HitGirl (2263) 12 years ago

A multinational corporation (MNC) or multinational enterprise (MNE)[1] is a corporation enterprise that manages production or delivers services in more than one country. It can also be referred to as an international corporation.

From Wikipedia.

[-] 2 points by philosophersstoned (233) from Gypsum, CO 12 years ago

Campaign finance reform and lobbying reform (watch retiring sen. Ben Nelson walk directly into a 6-figure lobbying gig within days of leaving office) IMO

[-] 2 points by LSN45 (535) 12 years ago

You said it! Right now Washington is a revolving door between government and industry. The industry folks are in all the important posts and they, and the lobbyists, are writing the laws. Spread the word! This is THE issue of issues that the majority of Americans agree needs to be fixed! Get the money out and break the stranglehold of the corporations (end corporate personhood)!

[-] 1 points by SteveKJR (-497) 12 years ago

Goes to what I have previously posted - we need to get rid of the "lifers" and get new blood in there that will work towards making this country a better place to live.

Protest on Washington DC.

[-] 1 points by Nevada1 (5843) 12 years ago

Hi LSN45, Agree. Good post. Just watched "Gas Land", and was thinking about all the government people that must have been bribed by oil corporations, to be able to commit such crimes against humanity. Best Regards, Nevada

[-] 2 points by LSN45 (535) 12 years ago

Thanks Nevada! You said it - the oil companies have more political clout than the rest of the American populace combined. How do they do it! Control politicians with lobbying $ and the rest of the US with slick marketing. Spread the word on the Campaign Finance Reform - if they can't buy influence with money the playing field will be leveled. Side note: if you have not already, watch "Inside Job" and "Who killed the Electric Car?"!!!!

[-] 1 points by Nevada1 (5843) 12 years ago

Hi LSN45, Have seen "Inside Job", but not "Who Killed the Electric Car" yet. Another great is "AE911Truth". Have signed the Bernie Sanders petition.

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