A succinct portrait of politics today. Is it accurate?

[Ghost Dog]

If you don't think politicians will do whatever it takes to get reelected without regard for longer term consequences of their actions either economically or socially, you are living on another planet. I put absolutely nothing past the cast of characters in DC, present or former. Anything goes when it comes to political self-preservation. (Brian Pretti, You are here)

And, if accurate, what longer-term economic and social consequences is this likely to have?

[Mac1949]

1. Sort of accurate. There are exceptions.

Weiner, Grayson and Sanders spring to mind. I'm sure there are others.:)

[yurbud]

2. people assume there is a moral safety net below which politicians will not go

but politicians will throw babies into a meat grinder to get a donation now and a high paying job as a lobbyist, CEO, or do-nothing board member later.

The first time I realized this was when I found out Orrin Hatch was protecting the dietary supplement industry from regulation AFTER I had just served papers on the company that manufactured herbal ecstasy. Five kids had taken it at a rave and died. If I remember correctly, because it wasn't regulated, the state couldn't press criminal charges a, so they were forced to pursue a civil case on behalf of the dead kids.

I had read about similar things with supplements, like something called ''brain factor'' that was made out ground up cow brains, so of course it caused mad cow disease. These and other stories had been in the news at the time, and Hatch (and of course others), still blocked regulation even though people had died.

This is also why no one should not dismiss 9/11 conspiracy theories too quickly. If there is a buck to be made on our death, and a powerful and rich enough corporation or individual wants it, we are dead, end of story.

My wife just reminded me of the most literal example of this: ''dead peasant insurance'' when corporations would take out life insurance policies on their employees and name themselves as the beneficiaries.