Quote:
Originally Posted by DTK
As it stands now, people like the Koch brothers can (and did) donate $100 Million to their candidates.
Think about that for a moment. For regular people to equal what the Koch brothers spent, it would take 2 million mere mortals each scraping up $50 to equal the Koch's 'voice'.
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Considering the November results, how much good did it do them? There were lots of pissed off rich dudes who were very unhappy with Rove. They didn't get a return on that $$$. It doesn't always work.
So you favor a third party?
I used to be a Green. I voted for Nader in 2000. I felt exactly as you do. In fact, I hated the Dems MORE than the Repugs, because while the GOP practically bragged about being the party of the prickish 1%, the Dems were supposedly the party of the people - and they always fell short. But I don't feel that way anymore. Rather than trying to build up a whole new party (no small feat) that will end up splitting the vote for the Repugs anyway (unless "instant runoff" voting is established - another
massive hurdle), I'd rather take over the Democratic party and change what needs changing, starting with real campaign finance reform (to try to turn off the cash spigot from which all political evil flows). Then make the elected representatives understand they need to do what's right or they're
gone.
And what is so discouraging is that we have the power to do it right now. But most people don't even know the names of their lawmakers. Or care. Then we wonder why lobbyists have control of Washington. Because we gave it to them. You say no good legislation has been passed in the last 40 years, but dirty money has always been a problem in American politics, as has propaganda, and election theft - so why stop at 40 years back? It's apathy that is the problem. We just got too comfortable as a nation, and we love our big TVs and videogames.
I'm afraid things will have to get worse before they get better. I'm glad we avoided another Great Depression after Dubya. But another depression may be just what we need to wake us up, pay attention, and fucking get serious.
We don't need a new party. We just need to use the rights we have. We've had the luxury of ignoring them for a long time.