As far as I'm concerned, lobbying is bribery, as are large donations. Perhaps we need to go to Federal funding at a certain amount for Presidential candidates. That amount would be the candidate's entire budget. Candidates that drop out would be required by law (These days? Ha.) to refund any unspent funds. If nothing else, it would show the voters just how well they can handle funds. Just my opinion.
That’s telling it straight and simply. And regarding the demonizing and persecution of the already powerless: The president, and his federal and state accomplices, should adopt the initials MAMA (Make America Mean Again).
The Electoral processes are all out of balance. Neither Trump nor Harris won a majority of the registered voters. Roughly 2/3 voted against each candidate and so 2024 elections really gave US two losers to choose from and the majority chose neither, so the biggest name cheater was not sentenced by S.C.O T. U.S. for all of his felony charges because D.TRUMP had to be put in the Oval Office, elected or not.
I was amazed to learn Texas does not require companies to carry workers' compensation, one of the reasons they can recruit unscrupulous companies who have no respect for their employees who must sue them for medical care or disability if they get hurt had work.
Texas does as little as possible for any normal humans -- thus their low taxes and lack of any kind of services. Molly Ivins wrote about the state and Texan politicians (mostly named Bush).
Sadly she died way too young. She must be rolling in her grave what with the current kerfuffle! Her books are still fun to read.
How is this possible? Isn't it illegal? How do they get away with this? This is why I believe we should forget about epstein and go after trump for all his corruption, all day ,every day, pointing it out constantly. He is a mentally ,physically ill person as well as a liar, cheat, sneak, thief, convicted felon and rapist who is selling golden sneakers, cards with cartoon like images of himself as a super hero, meme coins and perfume! on the side while making real estate deals out of the White House as bribes for selling arms to people who we would not in the past. How is this circus clown and the three ring regime of incompetent ,inexperienced bozos allowed to proceed? As bad as they are ,I blame the spineless, gutless, "republican" capons in the senate and congress, they are worse because they know better but have no honor or integrity. I hope they all get flushed in the midterms (if we have them) and face indictment for treason along with the rest of the managerie.
The wearers of the blue version of rose tinted glasses try to convince us experienced skeptics that everything would be fine if only the Dems were back in power. It's as if they've missed what the Ds have become over the last 4 decades. However, it finally occurred to me no one under 65 has ever seen what the New Deal party was like. Probably think neolib/neocon Ds v. anarchocapitalist/Christofascist Rs is usual for mainstream politics. Where both major parties are sponsored by the same corporations and 1%ers--genteel, polite bribery. The difference is under Trump, it's crude, blatant, guilt free, and unapologetic.
In the late '70s, neolibs usurped the D party and dumped the New Deal ideals. New Deal financial regs were repealed under Clinton, leading to the '08 crash. Under Obama, Wall St. was bailed out while the millions who lost jobs, pensions, houses got nothing. The Ds supported treaties like the WTO to make the world safe for multinational corporations. The Ds say nothing against a corporate economics that dismisses devastation of communities and ecosystems as externalities. Chicago school (Friedman) theories now dominate, even though based on little empirical evidence. They're no more than hatred of New Deal and Keynesian economics, resented by elites because those policies work, especially for us peasants. Instead, we're just supposed to believe assertions like Thatcher's "there is no alternative." Our role is merely to defer to our economic overlords and educated betters so they can decide what's best.
Very true! The R's cater to Wall Street and the hate filled phony "Christians". The D's cater to Wall Street and their beloved San Fran crowd. The San Fran DEI crowd are much less dangerous than the haters, of course. But their obnoxious behavior is front and center; maybe people dismiss the religious extremists as harmless nuts.
I lived in SF for 14 years. A good friend there who's been active in local politics since the '60s described it a a conservative city with a liberal veneer. The genteel elitism of old money who once believed in noblesse oblige, but don't bother anymore. Plus the new money of the libertarian anarchocapitalist Silicon Valley techies who overtly believe in their own superiority and their right to rule. And don't forget some of the most powerful right wing think tanks are based in SF.
The Dem elite is for diversity with qualifications. They speak of a "meritocracy," meaning they're fine with differences of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation as long as you're Ivy League or equivalent. In other words, part of dumping the New Deal was to disown anything to do with class. They don't ever address majority working class issues, let alone acknowledge our wages as flat for decades or how we're considered economically expendable.
We should be for DEI. The "E" stands for equity, meaning economic fairness, and therefore the "I" of inclusion is also about including the working class. That we have a right to a job, good wages, decent housing, and education. Those are part of what's called the Bill of Economic Rights from a 1944 speech by FDR. The "D" of diversity is about recognizing class diversity, too. Like the New Deal Dem party used to.
Yes,Jim it is bribery but are these Corporate 'People' as defined by S.C.O.T.U.S. in the Citizen's United decision of 2010 who are buying up our public servants? I suppose that the officials are living people?
Shared with friends who might be interested. Have you archived the old print issues? I've been a subscriber for years and would like digital access to all the topics and suggestions in your newsletter over the years. It's policy 101!
US government - best government money can buy! They can give millions of dollars but they can not give millions of votes - They can corrupt our voting machines and i can tell you during Covid i received multiple mail in ballots - 1 voter 1 vote - and yes show proof of your ID - you have to show it for everything else. 1 world government in our own country - amazing. And not just big business but other countries. The US gives Isreal 3.4 billion (without all the other weapons money) and they spend a good percentage buying our government officials. So much so that SEnator Cruz said he wanted to be Israel's greatest ally. And as far as i can tell they own both heads of that one snake or we would not be funding genocide in GAZA and a war in Ukraine. Too bad Epstein killed himself or was that a conspiracy theory!!!! TEA Party Member
Overwhelmed with disgust,I can't think of a thing to say except to repeat a Biblical truth "The love of money is the root of all evil." I hope that the filthy rich take their money to Hell adnd that it is used to fuel Hell's fires.
The southern States have always been Third World kleptocracies. And trump is turning the whole US into a Third World kleptocracy. We will be lucky if the country survives him. Far as i am concerned the military should honored its oath to the Constitution, stepped in and executed ALL the MAGA traitors. ALL of them, in the State govts as well as D.C. Fox, One America Newsmax, the "influencers" the Supreme treasonous Court, the billionaire supporters, all of them.
As far as I'm concerned, lobbying is bribery, as are large donations. Perhaps we need to go to Federal funding at a certain amount for Presidential candidates. That amount would be the candidate's entire budget. Candidates that drop out would be required by law (These days? Ha.) to refund any unspent funds. If nothing else, it would show the voters just how well they can handle funds. Just my opinion.
Agree. Sigh, with these crooks running things nothing good is likely to happen!
That’s telling it straight and simply. And regarding the demonizing and persecution of the already powerless: The president, and his federal and state accomplices, should adopt the initials MAMA (Make America Mean Again).
Made America Meaner Again
MAWA - Make America White Again
Careful. The word 'bribe' got Colbert fired.
Like everything else in rumpland it's OK to bribe but it's wrong to notice there was a bribe
It seems that Bribery, and Large Donations equals Corruption, and that's what we are seeing on a daily basis in this USA
Bribing politicians with cash is against the law in Texas ... isn't it? 🤔
Surely you jest.
Yes, I do 😊
Ask S.C.O.T.U.S.
No need to ask, is there. SCOTUS is embarrassingly clear on its faith in djt.
Disgusting!!!
But since Citizens United, it isn't really bribery. Isn't it just "free speech," now?
The Electoral processes are all out of balance. Neither Trump nor Harris won a majority of the registered voters. Roughly 2/3 voted against each candidate and so 2024 elections really gave US two losers to choose from and the majority chose neither, so the biggest name cheater was not sentenced by S.C.O T. U.S. for all of his felony charges because D.TRUMP had to be put in the Oval Office, elected or not.
I was amazed to learn Texas does not require companies to carry workers' compensation, one of the reasons they can recruit unscrupulous companies who have no respect for their employees who must sue them for medical care or disability if they get hurt had work.
Texas does as little as possible for any normal humans -- thus their low taxes and lack of any kind of services. Molly Ivins wrote about the state and Texan politicians (mostly named Bush).
Sadly she died way too young. She must be rolling in her grave what with the current kerfuffle! Her books are still fun to read.
Yes, Molly died way too young. I always loved to read her writing. I never read her books, but I'll check them out.
She is really a fun read. I'm re-reading some these days.
How is this possible? Isn't it illegal? How do they get away with this? This is why I believe we should forget about epstein and go after trump for all his corruption, all day ,every day, pointing it out constantly. He is a mentally ,physically ill person as well as a liar, cheat, sneak, thief, convicted felon and rapist who is selling golden sneakers, cards with cartoon like images of himself as a super hero, meme coins and perfume! on the side while making real estate deals out of the White House as bribes for selling arms to people who we would not in the past. How is this circus clown and the three ring regime of incompetent ,inexperienced bozos allowed to proceed? As bad as they are ,I blame the spineless, gutless, "republican" capons in the senate and congress, they are worse because they know better but have no honor or integrity. I hope they all get flushed in the midterms (if we have them) and face indictment for treason along with the rest of the managerie.
The wearers of the blue version of rose tinted glasses try to convince us experienced skeptics that everything would be fine if only the Dems were back in power. It's as if they've missed what the Ds have become over the last 4 decades. However, it finally occurred to me no one under 65 has ever seen what the New Deal party was like. Probably think neolib/neocon Ds v. anarchocapitalist/Christofascist Rs is usual for mainstream politics. Where both major parties are sponsored by the same corporations and 1%ers--genteel, polite bribery. The difference is under Trump, it's crude, blatant, guilt free, and unapologetic.
In the late '70s, neolibs usurped the D party and dumped the New Deal ideals. New Deal financial regs were repealed under Clinton, leading to the '08 crash. Under Obama, Wall St. was bailed out while the millions who lost jobs, pensions, houses got nothing. The Ds supported treaties like the WTO to make the world safe for multinational corporations. The Ds say nothing against a corporate economics that dismisses devastation of communities and ecosystems as externalities. Chicago school (Friedman) theories now dominate, even though based on little empirical evidence. They're no more than hatred of New Deal and Keynesian economics, resented by elites because those policies work, especially for us peasants. Instead, we're just supposed to believe assertions like Thatcher's "there is no alternative." Our role is merely to defer to our economic overlords and educated betters so they can decide what's best.
Very true! The R's cater to Wall Street and the hate filled phony "Christians". The D's cater to Wall Street and their beloved San Fran crowd. The San Fran DEI crowd are much less dangerous than the haters, of course. But their obnoxious behavior is front and center; maybe people dismiss the religious extremists as harmless nuts.
I lived in SF for 14 years. A good friend there who's been active in local politics since the '60s described it a a conservative city with a liberal veneer. The genteel elitism of old money who once believed in noblesse oblige, but don't bother anymore. Plus the new money of the libertarian anarchocapitalist Silicon Valley techies who overtly believe in their own superiority and their right to rule. And don't forget some of the most powerful right wing think tanks are based in SF.
The Dem elite is for diversity with qualifications. They speak of a "meritocracy," meaning they're fine with differences of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation as long as you're Ivy League or equivalent. In other words, part of dumping the New Deal was to disown anything to do with class. They don't ever address majority working class issues, let alone acknowledge our wages as flat for decades or how we're considered economically expendable.
We should be for DEI. The "E" stands for equity, meaning economic fairness, and therefore the "I" of inclusion is also about including the working class. That we have a right to a job, good wages, decent housing, and education. Those are part of what's called the Bill of Economic Rights from a 1944 speech by FDR. The "D" of diversity is about recognizing class diversity, too. Like the New Deal Dem party used to.
Great points!
Amen!
Yes,Jim it is bribery but are these Corporate 'People' as defined by S.C.O.T.U.S. in the Citizen's United decision of 2010 who are buying up our public servants? I suppose that the officials are living people?
Shared with friends who might be interested. Have you archived the old print issues? I've been a subscriber for years and would like digital access to all the topics and suggestions in your newsletter over the years. It's policy 101!
Hmm. I don't remember exactly when I started my subscription but I have archived them all!
US government - best government money can buy! They can give millions of dollars but they can not give millions of votes - They can corrupt our voting machines and i can tell you during Covid i received multiple mail in ballots - 1 voter 1 vote - and yes show proof of your ID - you have to show it for everything else. 1 world government in our own country - amazing. And not just big business but other countries. The US gives Isreal 3.4 billion (without all the other weapons money) and they spend a good percentage buying our government officials. So much so that SEnator Cruz said he wanted to be Israel's greatest ally. And as far as i can tell they own both heads of that one snake or we would not be funding genocide in GAZA and a war in Ukraine. Too bad Epstein killed himself or was that a conspiracy theory!!!! TEA Party Member
Overwhelmed with disgust,I can't think of a thing to say except to repeat a Biblical truth "The love of money is the root of all evil." I hope that the filthy rich take their money to Hell adnd that it is used to fuel Hell's fires.
Your quote is a great reminder and so true!
Watching "Jeremiah Johnson" with Robert Redford
The southern States have always been Third World kleptocracies. And trump is turning the whole US into a Third World kleptocracy. We will be lucky if the country survives him. Far as i am concerned the military should honored its oath to the Constitution, stepped in and executed ALL the MAGA traitors. ALL of them, in the State govts as well as D.C. Fox, One America Newsmax, the "influencers" the Supreme treasonous Court, the billionaire supporters, all of them.
AMEN!!!