We Will NEVER Have Meaningful Reform Without Campaign Finance Reform

[JFN1]

Reform - health, energy, whatever - is just not going to happen.

America's corporations are firmly in control of our government. They pretty much own it - sure, it's Ours on paper - but its no longer Ours.

I think there is little doubt remaining that who we elect, what party they are, what they stand for/campaign for, means NOTHING, in the face of billions of corporate dollars being spread around D.C. by lobbyists, into the willing, waiting campaign coffers of our "honored" Representatives and Senators.

So go ahead - debate with Republicans all you want. Try to win them over to "our" side.

Which is no better than "their" side.

Because the results end up being the same, even if the methods of getting there are diametrically opposed.

In the end, the corporations keep their profits flowing. And our "honored" Congress is just another line item for the corporations, a small expense exchanged for guaranteed profit without conscience.

As long as corporations can donate cash to political campaigns, they own this place.

[mustardman]

1. Yup

That IS the biggest problem but if you thought trying to reform Healthcare is tough that would be NOTHING compared to campaign finance reform.

[JFN1]

5. How to accomplish such reform

is a problem, since those tasked with creating reform, benefit from the status quo...

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

2. meanwhile, the Supreme Court is considering letting Corporations Donate to campaigns again

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x513978

[Hawkeye-X]

4. Hopefully the law remains in place on a 5-4 vote, with Kennedy swinging

to the left, or I'll be after him with a cattle prod.

Hawkeye-X

[Hawkeye-X]

3. Revoke the concept of "corporate personhood" and the corporate will no longer own America

[JFN1]

15. One must follow the other

I totally agree.

[Orsino]

6. Yes.

But with money having been ruled as speech by the Supreme Court, Congress couldn't fix it even if they wanted to.

[Orsino]

7. dupe n/t

[billyclem]

8. The British have some nice rules

A candidate is only allowed to spend a specified amount per registered voter.

Campaigning is limited in that it can not begin until a specified date prior to the election.

The media must be very careful in reporting to avoid giving the appearance of any bias toward a particular candidate.

There are some others that I can not remember offhand; but, changes like these would be welcome. We can continue contacting our representatives and senators and hoping something will change.

Anyone know of a more productive method? :shrug:

[muriel_volestrangler]

14. Political advertising is not allowed on radio or TV

which is probably the biggest difference between American and British political campaigning. Instead, a certain number of slots of 5 minutes or so on TV (including the BBC, which doesn't carry any adverts anyway) are given, in the month or so before an election, to parties putting up a certain number of candidates (there's some formula for this).

[Festivito]

9. We won't have a meaningful country without Campaign reform.

Let along a good health care system.

[Umbral]

10. And as long as corporate interests control the Democratic Party, it will NEVER happen. nt

[Echo In Light]

13. As long as too many foolishly believe Corp $ doesn't control the party, it'll never happen

Variations on a theme.

[salinen]

11. they are glorified lobbyist

they call themselves representatives and, by gum, we know exactly who they represent.

[kentuck]

12. I think you are probably correct. K&R

:kick:

[wuvuj]

16. Abe Lincoln sez...

...and that government: of the corporations, by the corporations, for the corporations, shall not perish from the earth. - what Lincoln should have said?