[quote=Allan from Fallbrook]Dan: My point regarding representative democracy was simply this: Money = Access…
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I am quivering in respect of this earth-shattering insight.
[quote=Allan from Fallbrook]
Given that it costs millions upon millions of dollars to run for office these days, politicians have become more and more beholden to those that can afford to pony up the money….
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Couple of problems here:
-These decisions (votes and compromises) are being made by legislators. I doubt Susan Davis’ office (she is my house member) spends “millions and millions” on her campaign. Having visited her office, I doubt they spend even thousands on much.
-Also the nature of democracy is to limit the inequities of capitalism. It is easy to influence decisions but hard to literally buy election.
[quote=Allan from Fallbrook]
As far as this health care bill goes: It is a mess. Its a cumbersome piece of legislation …
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Yeah I get that you don’t like it.
[quote=Allan from Fallbrook]
special interest, industry groups and lobbyists to put their mark on legislation without the pesky issue of debate or review.
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The argument here is that there has not been enough debate? They have had piles of debate and versions passed both houses after considerable review and reworking.
[quote=Allan from Fallbrook]
The MSM, which, once upon a time, had investigative journalists and diligently reported the news, is completely AWOL…
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So your other argument is that the news is ignoring health care?
[quote=Allan from Fallbrook]
Our politicians don’t answer to us anymore…
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Again, we lost the right to vote?
We don’t prosecute kleptocrats?
[quote=Allan from Fallbrook]
The actions of government as of late are either confiscatory (in terms of wealth redistribution), intrusive (Patriot I and II) or illegal (takeovers, bailouts or foreign wars that DON’T protect the well being or interest of US citizens).
Didn’t we already go to war over this shit before (American Revolution)?
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No. We attempted to fight for our rights as British subjects (like voting). It kind of snowballed when the government explicitly asserted that we had neither our guaranteed rights nor a right to complain.
[quote=Allan from Fallbrook]
And, no, I’m not the political theorist I mentioned. I might have my self-aggrandizing moments, but I’m not that bad![/quote]
Okay…
