Both political Parties have become incapable of governing?

[kentuck]

The Republicans proved, in spades, over the last eight years that they have no idea how to govern this nation. Their solution to every problem is taxcuts for the wealthy. Their solution to every military problem is to bomb and/or invade another country. Their radical social agenda was supported by about 20% of the populaiton. Their solution to a better retirement for everyone was to invest their Social Security funds in the stock market. Now that would have been a grand idea, wouldn't it?

On the other hand, the Democratic Party has become a Party of Big Business and Wall Street. They give lip service to the common man but they no longer represent the average man on the street. In their quest for bi-partisanship, they are willing to sacrifice long-standing principles of equality and human rights. They fail to understand the gravity of our countrys problems. They are mostly concerned about the next election and maintaining power. They fiddle while Rome burns. They are beholden to special interests, just like the Republicans. They also, are incapable of governing our nation at this time. The people are stuck on a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean and no one knows the direction to shore...

[RKP5637]

1. To me, there is a lot of truth/facts in what you've said! n/t

[ananda]

2. Compromised and corrupted.

Not incapable.

[dhpgetsit]

3. Yes, both parties are corrupted.

With just a few exceptions, both parties and both houses of Congress are basicly controlled by corporate money. They need our votes but they try to answer to corporate donors and lobbyists as much as possible without losing the support of their electorate.

[Angry Dragon]

4. So true

[enlightenment]

5. Seems like these days the primary goal of any politician is to get

reelected. Politics was originally (those pesky Greeks) considered a service and a sacrifice. Today, it's a profession - a job to hold onto while working for 'promotion'.

Pathetic.

[RKP5637]

15. Quite true, just another corp. exec. job. And set your own salary and benefits too! n/t

[kentuck]

16. Exactly!

I'm beginning to think the best solution would be to take out all corporate donations and limit the terms to 6 years for Congress and 12 years for the Senate. First of all, they should roll back their salaries to the 2000 level and keep them there until the people decide they need a raise.

[RKP5637]

19. I don't know what the exact formula would be, but I certainly agree. These guys/gals

today are like runaway freight trains loading on salaries and benefits as they barge ahead and completely insular for the most part from the needs of "We the People." A cohesive action needs to be taken to get this started and the system back to the people, but how...

I thought we had some of this with Obama and the new majority. I think when he got into office he discovered that to work the system you have to be part of the system (just my thoughts). I either read or heard him say once that he was amazed when he got into office and discovered the levers of power that had to be worked in DC. By that I think he meant the lobbyists, the corporate interests and the few parentage that own all of the wealth in this country.

It is a very sad state of affairs we are in and hence prone to constant conflicts and conflicts of interest. And for the most part the people often come last IMO.

[OHdem10]

6. When they blurred the lines between what is a Democrat , and what

is a Republican, by having both parties worship at the altar
of Financial System and Corporation the floodgates were opened
and in rushed Corruption.

By pushing people like Paul Voker out, the signal is sent--
No REAL Change.

[Uben]

7. Okay, here's an idea.....

.....We team up with FR and take over the capital building. They can have the basement!

[kentuck]

10. Why would you want to form a bi-partisan coalition with the freepers??

That is part of the problem.

[Uben]

11. Coalition?

I said nothing about a coalition. I was just going on the addage "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer". We could lock the door to their room once they are in there and turn out the lights!

Damn, think of the smell!

[old guy]

8. Thanks.

You have successfully guided the hammer to the perfect spot on the nail.

[Sinti]

9. I agree to an extent

But, I think you're missing something. Both parties are absolutely capable of giving the Resource Acquisition Monopolies precisely what they want. That's why we go to war for their interests. Even if they wanted to do otherwise, the RAM and their friends own the media, so you never hear genuine voices of dissent.

I think you mean "serve" not govern, they have nearly opposite meanings. They are quite good at "governing," that's why you don't have people fighting in the streets.

Govern:
(v) regulate, regularize, regularise, order, govern (bring into conformity with rules or principles or usage; impose regulations)
(v) govern (direct or strongly influence the behavior of)
(v) govern, rule (exercise authority over; as of nations)

[Echo In Light]

12. From Power's perspective, things are GREAT...meaning, our populace is obedient & non-threatening

... to Powers aims

[Mari333]

13. true. only a few decent ones left in office.

and they are ignored.

[Orsino]

14. Largely incapable of acknowledging the existence of real problems.

They wind up wasting most of their time, energy and dollars applying patches to nonexistent ones.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

17. George Washington agrees.

Farewell Address September 17, 1796


I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the state, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally.

This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but in those of the popular form it is seen in its greatest rankness and is truly their worst enemy.

The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual, and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation on the ruins of public liberty.

Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.

It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another; foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passion. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.

[RKP5637]

18. I fear we as a country are floundering anymore in almost everything. I believe

it was Thomas Jefferson that once said something to the effect that a country polarized by two parties and dominated by corporate interests would wreck the union, basically what we have today...