The one thing most happen to agree about - money buys results in congress....

I have been searching for something that most of us can agree about. It has been hard to find a point to which both the left and the right can agree. I think Lawrence Lessig has found that point. The one thing many of us seem to agree about is that money buys results in congress.

This video is from the Tavis Smiley program on PBS and is an interview with Lawrence Lessig about this issue.

Video: video.pbs.org...
The Harvard law professor and author of Republic Lost, Lawrence Lessig, discusses the OWS and Tea Party movements and explains how Washington's distorted focus on raising campaign funds impacts America.

Key points - this is a problem on both the right and the left!
75% of Americans believe money buys results in congress!
The only people that politicians pay much attention to is the people who max out their contributions, which is .05% of all people.

Basically his message is that Congress has been distorted by the issues that drive their fund raising campains. The congress should be dependant and responsive to the people alone. Somewhere along the line we have allowed congress to develop another dependency - the dependency of money and their responsiveness to their funders.


Well, I wont give away all the details.
In my opinion he has many good points... have a listen and lets discuss.

Money, through direct payment or the promise of a lucrative job at the company you wrote bills or amendments for, blocked bills and amendments for, acted on their behalf period. The kicker is, those very same who put the goverment they payed (bribed) at work, used to tell the rest of the nation, that the people should embrace a goverment that inerferse in the markets not at all.

reply to post by Cassius666


Definitely one way traffic from wall street to pennsylvania avenue. If you are going the opposite way you will get pulled over as a terrorist!

Usually I watch the dailyshow for diversity while I chow. But today there was an very interesting host presenting his book, "Republic Lost How money corrupts congress - and a plan to stop it", by Lawrence Lessig

www.thedailyshow.com...

The only way I will ever admit we have decent people in CONgress...

When they ALL agree to take paycuts until the budget is balanced.
(and that's just the beginning of the problems)


But I doubt they ever would...

I'd be impressed and I'm sure many Americans would be too.
Better not hold my breath.

reply to post by Cassius666


What did you think of the interview and the ideas Lessig has?

Thanks for sharing that interview. It had some extra details.

Originally posted by BlueBanshee
reply to post by Cassius666

 

What did you think of the interview and the ideas Lessig has?

Thanks for sharing that interview. It had some extra details.

I think it is an excellent idea. The system would mean that somebody who runs for congress would swear off large sum donations and only accept vouchers of 50 to 100 dollars or so. If it catches on only a few corporations would be able to outbid the people and turn a profit and of course the entire financial sector. It would be a start however and an idea that can work, as long as voters do not let third parties influence their decision on whom to donate for, which in turn offer their services to candidates, whom in turn feel more indebted to the people who can win the money election before the election for them, rather than the voter. However the prospect of commanding several millions without a single lobbyist approaching you, should make it possible for more people who do not run to serve special interest groups to have a chance and should make it easier for congressmen and congresswomen to withstand bribery.

The optmist in me says, a congressman who received several millions in donation by the people is less likely to cave in to bribery than somebody who make 500.000 during a full therm and then MAYBE if he plays ball, is given the money to run again or a job to support the lifestyle he got accostumed to.