The underlying problem with politics in the US

[vorticon]

Originally posted by rpm
You show me a politician and I'll show you a crook.

not our fault the mafia doesnt accept non-italians.

[Bodhi]

A strict, two term limit for all positions and all political donations go into a fund for all the candidates to draw from.

That is the only way it changes.

[Maverick]

Originally posted by tedrbr
Just rotates the talking heads.  Doesn't cure the base problems of who's spending money to put their talking head in the seat in the first place.  I support term limits, but doesn't solve the more serious problems.

Better that no politician takes any money to run for election.  You get enough signatures on a ballot to be a serious contestant in an election, you get access to a pool of election campaign money from Federal funds.  Not by party affiliation.  Funds divided equally among those in the running.

Level the playing field, and kick special interests and big money out of the ring (or at least to the side a bit.... big money is still big money).

I have to agree with the first part of your post here.

I disagree on the last part. The so called campaign reform that was passed has obviously not stopped big money from doing anything. Now it just comes in larger amounts but from areas much harder to track. The fact that the dems are actually raising far more in funds (1.5 times more than the repubs to date) this early in the election process is proof that the reform was a fraud to begin with.

Keep funding open and REQUIRE contributions to be acknowledged. At least you'll know who's trying to buy the election rather than it is now. Either that or simply allow Federal funding only (no private or public contributions) for the cantidates and each is limited to 1.5 million period.

[tedrbr]

Originally posted by Maverick
Either that or simply allow Federal funding only (no private or public contributions) for the cantidates and each is limited to 1.5 million period.

Essentially, that's what I'd look for.  If you get enough signatures (and otherwise qualify), to get on a ballot, you get advert dollars from a federal fund.  Everyone gets a equal slice and equal time.

Now, big money will still get their say, as I'm sure they'd still take out ads, run stories, or do whatever else they could to influence the vote.  No way to get away from the effect of big money altogether from trying to influence the voters after all.  But, keep it away from the candidates as much as possible.

Don't ever see it happening though.

[Odee]

Originally posted by john9001
votes for sale, fresh new votes for sale , get them before they are all gone.

 too true

Sick and tired of the same old incompetent fools getting re-elected term after term, because the drive-by media paints their fave Lib as a Saint.  If only more than 25% of the population would vote their conscience, instead of the damned T.V. and Radio tripe.

[bsdaddict]

didn't read the thread, but the underlying problem with politics in America is that the majority of Americans are stupid.

(I'll read the thread now and see if I have anything more constuctive to add...)

[Gunslinger]

If Hilary get's elected (pause for cold shiveer going down my spine) that would mean that for the last 20 years we've had the same two familys in presidency.

That to me alone just scares me.

[lasersailor184]

I would pin the underlying problem with politics on people like Lazs.  They believe in one thing, but vote the way they hate the least so as not to lose the election.

Once this herd mentality ceases, then you'll see the future of American Politics.

[bsdaddict]

Originally posted by lasersailor184
I would pin the underlying problem with politics on people like Lazs.  They believe in one thing, but vote the way they hate the least so as not to lose the election.

Once this herd mentality ceases, then you'll see the future of American Politics.

that's definately a big part of the problem, but IMHO people with principals who vote for the "lesser of two evils" isn't as big of a problem as those who simply buy in to campaign lies and media hype and don't even think about the broader, underlying issues, or pay attention to things like voting records. Look at how much attention Obama's getting, it's like he's the second coming or something...  and nobody knows anything about him! (where he stands on the important issues)

it starts with public schools, we're indoctrinated into believing that the fedgov is "the answer" and historical facts are whitewashed

the media plays a HUGE part.  the mainstream media simply ignores third party candidates, or in Ron Paul's case, major party candidates who buck the system.  of course, if Americans in general weren't so stupid they'd

ballot access is an issue, the deck is stacked against third party candidates.  (maybe not the "underlying issue", but it sure is making it harder to fix.)

and then you've got to consider the "american idol" effect.  Americans in general are content with knowing more about who's next to go on that stupid show than they do about the the people who are running (ruining?) this country.

still comes down to the fact that most Americans are stupid, IMHO...  maybe stupid's not the right word, but shortsighted doesn't quite cover it.  how 'bout gullible?  we've alowed the Constitution to be degraded bit by bit, like the proverbial frog in a pot.  is the frog stupid?  works for me...

[Yknurd]

I blame teenage immigrant welfare mothers on drugs.

[tedrbr]

Originally posted by lasersailor184
I would pin the underlying problem with politics on people like Lazs.  They believe in one thing, but vote the way they hate the least so as not to lose the election.

Once this herd mentality ceases, then you'll see the future of American Politics.

There is also the cases where, the voters (the few that do actually vote) would love to "vote the bums out"....except their bum... their representative that brings home the pork every year.  Their crook that their union supports year-in and year-out.  Their rep that has all the seniority for important committees in D.C.  

Self destructive self interest.  What a way to run a country.

[Maverick]

Keep in mind that the govt. rep / senator, Pres. etc.  is SUPPOSED to represent the interests of their constituancy. If their interest is not also yours, too bad, particularly if they are not in your political geographical boundary.

[bsdaddict]

Originally posted by Maverick
Keep in mind that the govt. rep / senator, Pres. etc.  is SUPPOSED to represent the interests of their constituancy. If their interest is not also yours, too bad, particularly if they are not in your political geographical boundary.

Senators were originally supposed to be elected by the state legislators, their mission was to go to Washington and represent the interests of their state.  The Constitution envisioned a "House of the People" and a "House of the  States", the 17th ammendment (direct election of senators) ruined that balance and caused BOTH houses to be subject to the whims of the majority (need their votes), with noone looking out for states' rights.

check this out:  Undermining The Constitution - A HISTORY OF LAWLESS GOVERNMENT

long and somewhat dry, but worth the read if you're interested.

[ink]

i think we need to seriously put down the people who only care about getting rich of of our blood, for to long we have been killing innocent people, getting killed for bull**** lies,oh ya the Taliban really hit the towers, if you believe that, then you should truly do some research, on how controlled demolition works, then watch the towers fall, use your mind.

[Mr No Name]

Originally posted by ink
i think we need to seriously put down the people who only care about getting rich of of our blood, for to long we have been killing innocent people, getting killed for bull**** lies,oh ya the Taliban really hit the towers, if you believe that, then you should truly do some research, on how controlled demolition works, then watch the towers fall, use your mind.

Rosie,

We do not post on your board, please do not post on ours.  Step away from the Kool-Aid.