Is the United States Political System Broken Beyond Repair?

a reply to: dieseldyk

Interesting points dieseldyk but remember that old expression "One man's medicine is another man's poison" ? One could say that in our current world 'One man's corruption is another man's politics'. As long as we are dealing with politicians influenced by special interests, and as long as that is considered normal, whose to say which politicians are truly corrupt? To say politicians should be doing the will of the people - which people? for what reason? and what do we mean by 'the people' '

a reply to: sirlancelot

I agree with all but the first one. Our last conservative republican worked out great We need a president who is not bought and paid for by TPTB. Don't see that happening any time soon.

I tend to stand more with Thomas Jefferson than with Rick Perry on the "freedom of/from religion" question ...

I. Whereas Almighty God hath created the mind free; that all attempts to influence it by temporal punishment or burthens, or by civil incapacitations, tend only to beget habits of hypocrisy and meanness, and are a departure from the plan of the Holy author of our religion, who being Lord both of body and mind, yet chose not to propagate it by coercions on either, as was his Almighty power to do . . .

II. Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities.

Thomas Jefferson, "The Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom"

PS, This is one of the main sources for the First Amendment protections in the Bill of Rights.

I don't believe there is a balance of representation. When the interests of most politicians is in their wallet, who then is left to represent the rest of us who really work for a living. I truly believe that we are being misrepresented. There may be a handful of individuals that want to make a difference for the common person, however, more times than not, the only interests being guarded are those of corporations and big money.

How this helps me or anyone else is beyond me. Perhaps electing common folk into office that have lived an average life, and know what it truly means to be poor or wanting. Then maybe we can find ourselves being represented by someone who has an interest in helping the common man, other than filling their pockets with dark money and shadowy deals, all to prop up corporate interests that are not aligned with the average joe.

a reply to: amazing

" You have to have some measurable goal and strive to achieve it. "

This Country Had that Once , it was Called a Free Market Capitalistic Economy where People had Good Paying Steady Jobs and Disposable Income that Fueled Economic Growth through Consumer Spending and Capital Investments . WTF went Wrong with that ?

originally posted by: AgentShillington

originally posted by: Logarock
a reply to: AgentShillington

Well and yes it still remains to be seen what the republican are going to do about it anyway. Maybe in the end they will simply get in there and rearrange it a bit but leave it at that. Good cop bad cop stuff.

Yeah, of course that's what they're going to do. They have no intention of repealing it, even though they have voted in the House to repeal it how many times now? They will mess with it to give YOU the belief that it is going to change something, and from the sound of it, that is all it will take to keep you happy.

Myself personal wouldn't be "happy" until the entire thing was dumped. So no fixing it up and resetting the thing isnt going to make "you" happy.

a reply to: AlienView

The system was doomed from the start. The United States corporation was about grabbing as much power as possible. It just so happens that the 13 colonies were unable to be controlled except by promising each state autonomy and independence. It was a lie from the beginning. Each and every year, Democrats work to grab and expand their power as much as possible. Each year, Republicans work to grab and expand their power over everyone as much as possible. Neither Democrats nor Republicans are interested in shrinking their power over others. Its the polar opposite of trying to achieve democracy where you try to give others more power to achieve equality in power for all people. The United States corporation was on paper to be a minimalist cooperation of military defense. The United States in practice was to grab as much power as the elites could get their hands on... which was nearly none at the time.

The USA corporation now has the largest spending budget in the history of the world but Democrats and Republicans will all tell you the USA corporation needs more money... much more money. Having the world's largest source of revenues just isn't enough.... they need more power. No amount of money and no amount of power will ever be enough... "just a little more will do the trick" at any and all times for every insider politician. The current level of spending of USA government interests is certainly at very fascist levels... not even close to a free market. And of course it shows in the rankings where the USA is moving to the middle of the pack in nearly every regard. Totally predicable. It is the USA's destiny to be a middle of the pack nobody just like the rest of the countries. Nothing special here, nothing to see... move along friend if you want a special country.

The United States was a success for one simple reason... it had access to resources outside of the control of the elites. And now those resources are in the control of the elites. So, goodbye USA corporation as a corporation that benefits its people in general.

If you want an example of a place that will turn out to be a spectacular success then visit Singapore... the most free country from an economic standpoint. And no surprise at all, the middle class is booming... exactly the opposite of the USA where the middle class is dying. So predicable. So how can the USA return to its glory days? There is one and only one way... revert back to capitalism, and it would also help to return autonomy to the fifty states instead of having it centralized in one place. But, that isn't going to happen. The only people who support that are libertarians, who represent as little as 10% of the population. Maybe in New Hampshire where closer to 20% are libertarians will people have a shot at success.

originally posted by: Zanti Misfit
a reply to: amazing

" You have to have some measurable goal and strive to achieve it. "

This Country Had that Once , it was Called a Free Market Capitalistic Economy where People had Good Paying Steady Jobs and Disposable Income that Fueled Economic Growth through Consumer Spending and Capital Investments . WTF went Wrong with that ?

That was never a goal of the US, anagenda perhaps but NEVER a goal.

The goal of the US is established in Preamble to the US Constitution. It mentions nothing about the economy nor capitalism.

YES!!!

Here's a radical idea, and it would take some commitment on your part say 6-10 years. There are about 28 minor political parties in the US. Find one you like (I go with the Pirate Party myself), and if you don't think any fit your goals start your own. Perhaps a party that focuses on tradesmen and issues related to them. You can make it work related or philosophical, either will do. The point is to find a minor party that you want to vote for. Once this is done, don't just vote but convince others to vote. Work on the campaigns, create marketing methods to popularize the party. A vote is just the beginning, even the R's and D's rely on thousands of low level staffers getting involved and doing the grunt work. Make your party better.

If you do that, perhaps they'll get elected. It doesn't take many to change the 2 party system.