Forum Post: Real change starts with getting the money out of politics - what we need is real, loop-hole free CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM!!!
Posted 13 years ago on Nov. 19, 2011, 9:30 p.m. EST by LSN45
(535)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
For decades now the corporations and special interests have had our "representatives" bought and paid for (both on the right and the left). Don't get distracted by the symptoms - we need to address the root cause. 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!!!
Here is a good starting point for our reasonably formed Democracy:
End legalized insider trading for Congress & Senate
Term limits for Congress & Senate (no "grandfather" clause)
End opportunities for corruption and unethical behavior for the lawmakers and the rest (e.g., banks and corporations) will follow. Move the protest to the Capital. Force ethical leadership from the top, for all.
Stop wasting time at Wall St. The intent is sound but the focus is wrong. Refocus. Achieve the broadest effect for the effort. Spread the phrase, "Term Limits".
Someone please tell me what pressures will be brought to bear on a corrupt bought and sold out congress to compel them to inact campaign reform or a constitutional amendment, term limits ? Maybe none of you have noticed but the congress and politicians are saying " MAKE ME". Anyone have an answer on how you're going to make them do all these fine things you're all suggesting.
Exactly! They're sitting around the fire tonight sipping fine wine LAUGHING! at OWS. I'll bet the joke centers around the fact that OWS stopped reading after the "right of the people peaceably to assemble" The thigh slapping starts when they talk about the idiots that took the 99% Declaration off their OWS.org website!!! HA HA HA
Sorry, here's the same pressure that worked damn well in 1774 https://sites.google.com/site/the99percentdeclaration/
Agreed!
Someone please tell me what pressures will be brought to bear on a corrupt bought and sold out congress to compel them to inact campaign reform or a constitutional amendment.
The politicians will never change the status quo.we need a constitional amendment limiting all public office holders to one 4year term. Another amendment limiting all campaign contributions to $100.
Are you expecting the corrupt politicians and congress to initiate reform, to create a constitutional amendment ? Kinda like expecting the mafia to push for more policing, isn't it ?
I agree - I think it will take a constitutional amendment. Our politicians have been acting like they want campaign finance reform for decades, but it is just a show. They love the current system - it is what keeps most of the incumbents in office.
[Removed]