Forum Post: The Separation of Private Interests & State
Posted 12 years ago on Oct. 10, 2011, 7:26 p.m. EST by MrB
(6)
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Our "Founding Fathers" were on to something when they declared the separation of Church & State, and I think it had less to do with religion and more to do with the recognition that outside interests should not have undue influence on our political system. We need to take this a step further and fight for the separation of Private Interests & State.
A government must be free to govern, and its aim should be to govern for the benefit of the people, not the benefit of select few interests.
This is an issue around which the whole political spectrum can unite and demand. Whether you fall to the left or the right its not hard to admit that certain parties wield an immense amount of influence over our government, whether it be corporations, think-tanks, or industry lobby groups.
We need to:
- Outlaw campaign contributions and political interference from private interest groups
- Curtail lobby access to politicians and make the process more transparent
- Institute a "cool down" period between government and political work and private industry in order to shut down the "revolving door"
We need SOVEREIGN RULE of the economy by the people and an elimination of money from public office and campaigns
What about refusing to have economists (the priests of the religion of the marketplace) as elected officials?
Thanks WhyIsTheCouch...... yes this is not meant to be a definitive list but more of a starting point in discussion. My issue with the revolving door is that politicians and their staff get too many sinecures and high paying positions from private interests, and that amounts to a delayed bribe. If a congressperson votes for the interests of a private interest and knows that s/he will get a nice fat sinecure at the end of his/her service, that to me amounts to bribery.
1 & 2- Everyone can get behind this. There is no excuse for the state of business's death grip on our government. This is the first step to taking back our government. 3- I feel like 3 needs some work. I agree with the underlying sentiment. That said, I would be willing to compromise on 3 if it were necessary to achieve 1 & 2.
4 (?)Term limits for our politicians may also be reasonable for keeping the political pools from stagnation and inbreeding. Again, I'd be willing to compromise on this to achieve 1 & 2 if others felt differently.
"End private money's presence and influence in our political and electoral systems!" Government for the people, by the people! Separation of business and state!
I agree.