Democracy is dead ... lobbyists rule America

[sweetroxie]

Democracy is dead ... lobbyists rule America
16-point manifesto for the new 'Lobbyist Nation of America'

By Paul B. Farrell, MarketWatch

Democracy dead? Lobbyists ruling America? Lobbyists the new "Unseen Hand" of capitalism? Sadly yes.

And here's why: Ask any neuroeconomist, behavioral-finance quant, investment psychologist or other practitioner of the mysterious "science of irrationality" and they'll tell you that Americans have two self-sabotaging mental biases that killed democracy from within: "Denial" and "Magical Thinking" make us easy targets. Our brains are being manipulated by clandestine forces beyond our control. We can't see them or resist.
Democracy dead? Lobbyists ruling America? Lobbyists the new "Unseen Hand" of capitalism? Sadly yes.

And here's why: Ask any neuroeconomist, behavioral-finance quant, investment psychologist or other practitioner of the mysterious "science of irrationality" and they'll tell you that Americans have two self-sabotaging mental biases that killed democracy from within: "Denial" and "Magical Thinking" make us easy targets. Our brains are being manipulated by clandestine forces beyond our control. We can't see them or resist.
The Pelosi-Obama deficit

Yet we refuse to believe in this new Orwellian America. We prefer the world of magic, myth and illusion.

Yes, folks, democracy is dead. Oh, the illusion will be kept alive in our history books, in the rhetoric of politicians, in the manipulated minds of America's 95 million Main Street investors. The propaganda machine works. Like a child's fairy tale, democracy has been deeply imbedded in our brains for decades; we prefer believing old, familiar stories. They comfort us, even when no longer true. The real democracy, what so many fought and died for since 1776, is dead.

Lobbyists now run America, own America, rule America. Forget the 537 politicians you thought we elected to the White House, Senate and Congress to run America for us. No, they're mere puppets, pawns for the "Happy Conspiracy," an oligopoly, plutocracy, cabal, monopoly all-in-one -- a private club of America's richest few on Wall Street, in Washington and in Corporate America.

Voters and elections are irrelevant. Lobbyists decide what's in the best interests of this elite club. The usual suspects? Try the Forbes 400.

--snip--
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/story/print?guid=288399EA-22AE-488D-B106-4CB6DAA8D1FC

[Captain Hilts]

1. I'm FAR more receptive to this sentiment than I was a year ago. nt

[FiveGoodMen]

2. "Denial" and "Magical Thinking"

Brought to you by ... The Church(TM).

[truedelphi]

4. And also the "Church of the New Age"

If you can pretend that all is well, all will be well.

SO those blankets that the soldiers are giving the Indians are laced with smallpox - there's a rumor for ya.

And since it is only a rumor, why be all negative about it?

For if you BELIEVE that the blankets are healthy the Native Americans will be fine.

And although we can see that Geithenr and Bernanke are scum, since we want so much to BELIEVE that Obama is a nice guy, we just "pretend" thst all the stuff the economic voodoo twins are up to is all fine and good for the average person.

And apparently that will make it SO!!

[FiveGoodMen]

9. Indeed!

[aquart]

3. Did you think democracy was a freebie?

That democracy would be perfect if it weren't for all those nasty, selfish people?

Here's a fact: a rich man has only one vote, unless you give him yours.

[RaleighNCDUer]

6. did you miss the part about 'denial, magical thinking'?

One rational vote doesn't carry much weight against millions of delusional votes. The rich man may only have one vote, but he owns the PR firm that convinces millions of deluded fools to vote to enrich him while impovereshing themselves.

Paraphrasing Mark Twain, a lie will race around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.

The rich man buys its ticket.

[bvar22]

8. And what good does that One Vote do....

...when you are given a choice between:

1) An Anti-LABOR, Pro-WAR, "Free Trading Democrat

OR

2) An Anti-LABOR, Pro-WAR, "Free Trading" Republican ?

Third Party?
:rofl:

[Journeyman]

5. To paraphrase d'Tocqueville. . .

"Democracy in America will last until the people learn they can vote themselves money."

Originally, I believed this meant "we, the people," would vote our self-interest over the common good. Now I understand it manifests itself in America as "they, the Corporates," who influence votes in their narrow interest, often times against the needs of the people.

Until we rectify this perversion, we'll be condemned to suffer the excruciating consequences.

[AthenaAwakened]

7. If only ...

If people would realize they could vote themselves money, they would vote for tax increases on the wealthy and single payer for healthcare, childcare, and higher education for a start. Not to mention a change in gov't spending from war to domestic issues

[philly_bob]

10. Which lobbyists?

There are lobbyists for action to reduce the chance of catastrophic climate change, lobbyists supporting religious tolerance, lobbyists pushing for more bicycle paths, etc.

Specify which lobbyists.

I imagine you mean the lobbyists from large national corporation, don't you?

Or, more specifically, I expect you're angry about contributions to candidates by lobbyists from large national corporations.'

[WVRICK13]

11. Democracy

never really existed. The US has been a military industrial complex for a very long time, with the citizens taking the back seat to Wall Street, major industries, and the military. The only difference is that our communication network makes the truth easier to see and harder to hide. It took until 1967 for the blacks to be accorded equal access to services such as restrooms, water fountains and bus seats. Gays are not, and have never been treated equally under the law. Our country has a long history of treating minorities like second class citizens which is in direct contradiction to a true democracy. When all citizens have equal rights we may become a democracy. I have a friend in Canada who was a Member of Parliament. He used to joke about attacking the US to give the people a democratic government.

[Cherchez la Femme]

12. In any other country, lobbying = bribery

[Strong Atheist]

13. Yep. K&R. nt.

[JohnWxy]

14. IT's not Marxism but Marketism you need to worry about. recommended.