General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: American State of the Union: A Festival of Lies [View all]BainsBane
(53,031 posts)I do not agree with the poster. Going on about Obama being beholden to moneyed interests is like complaining about the sky being blue. The system is designed that way, and every single President in modern history has been beholden to corporate interests. Pretending it is all about one man makes no sense to me. It's also unproductive because if people imagine they will get a president who isn't beholden to moneyed interests under the current campaign finance system, they are fooling themselves. People complain about what is a constant in American politics, and attribute it all to individuals like Obama and Clinton. You can be sure every President in the future will represent financial interests, as has every president in American history. This is a capitalist nation, and the government is designed to promote capital. Why people think that only began in 2009, I have no idea. At a certain point, you have to figure out that national mythology of government for the people is just that--mythology. Any change would require forcing congress and the President to act, and taking the influence of big money out of the system also depends on change in the Supreme Court. There is no political messiah ready to descend to save America from its nature. History shows that governments only respond to popular interests when they have no choice, when they are forced to do so by widespread popular pressure. Systemic change is not bestowed by benevolent rulers.