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Citizens, Government and Representative Democracy »
Posted by: Searchbeam 2 years, 10 months agoA way to bring the corrupt government under control - Now's the time to act! How to make your representatives loyal to you.
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Searchbeam
I am a humanitarian, believer in non-violence and respect all forms of life, especially animals.
I believe in the fundamental decency of human beings.
Politically ...
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Comments: 153
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Searchbeam
Feb. 10, 2007, 9:53 p.m.The biggest challenge we the citizens face is sending the right person as the elected representative.
The record of these representatives so far is dismal at best.
After getting elected, they sell their loyalty to the highest bidder, ignoring their first and only commitment- their commitment to their constituents.
We can change that. Here is a recipe!
Peace and Blessings!
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JustCallMeV
Feb. 10, 2007, 10:26 p.m.I guess it, still, comes to a point where you choose the lesser of two evils. Even with every measure, it is still hard to know what lurks in the hearts of men - especially after elections.
-V-
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Searchbeam
Feb. 10, 2007, 10:49 p.m.David,
Excellent observation!
Federal Income tax came into being during WWI, by amending the Constitution. There is still prevailing doubt that the ratification by states was corrupted and some slick trickery was involved!
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Centinel
Feb. 11, 2007, 11:07 a.m.Let us not forget the other amendment that was ratified in 1913. The 17th Amendment changed the election of senators from state legislations to popular vote. This effectivly silenced the States' voice in legislation and treaty ratification. Consider the repercussions of that loss of control.
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not2needy
Feb. 10, 2007, 10:51 p.m.There was a lot of good sound reasoning in your article, but i just don't know how it could be implemented on a nationwide basis. It's hard enough to even get the people out to vote, let alone stick together.
This is a divided country, the cons love to see the libs fail and vice versa.
I would love to see something happen that would make our representatives accountable to us, but they are the lawmakers, and i don't see them making laws to hold themselves accountable.
It's a sad situation here.
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pazuita
Feb. 10, 2007, 10:53 p.m.The money and profit have to be eliminated from the equation, that's the only solution to the problem.
The rights and privledges guaranteed us under the U S Constitution, and the Freedoms spoken of in the Declaration of Independence have one common factor.
They are basic human rights.
Those rights have been wrongly assigned to mindless, soulless entities like pacts and corporations who now purchase and countrol our "elected" leaders.
The rights our forefathers spoke of are under the assumption that there is a thought process, a conscience or a soul as a guiding influence standing behind the way we use those rights, and as such non-living entities should not enjoy those privledges.
There is no reason why a congressman from Ohio should be accepting donations from an oil man in Texas. His duty is to represent the people of his district, not from halfway across the nation.
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jordan11
Feb. 10, 2007, 10:59 p.m.was not thinking of impeachment.- just a legal way to keep these bozos in line. A contract is legal in all 50 states. In Texas, even a handshake is a legally binding contract!>>>>
Fair enough. OK, then I guess the place to start would be in asking the political committees to draw up the legal papers.
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anioklyComment has been removed: User banned.
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pazuita
Feb. 10, 2007, 11:07 p.m.All Corrupted......
That may be a little strong, but not much.
Most, or the overwhelming majority would be accurate.
I honestly believe that there are some of our Representatives that really go in with the idea that they can change things, and change the world. After a few attempts, facing too much opposition from the status quo, and once the money, and donations start rolling in, it isn't long before they are as corrupt as the rest of them.
And getting any politico to ban the money will be almost impossible. It will take a binding referendum from the voters to do this, with enough force of law behind it to make any of them think twice before accepting compensation from an illegal source.
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Searchbeam
Feb. 10, 2007, 11:36 p.m.Just one thought to clarify the matter:
What I am proposing will not need any new law or any authorization or approval from any arm of Government, Judiciary or any case law precedences.
It is a simple act of the constituents to ask for the pledge from the candidates.
If they do not agree, we should not vote for them!
Of course that means that voters have to be orgnized.
My next blog will be dealing with that.
I will be proposing that a nationwide action committee be formed, with several state and local chapters to start the grassroots movement. I am proposing to call it "Truth and Honesty In Nation's Government" (T.H.I.N.G. for short)
Then we can get the T.H.I.N.G. rolling and gather momentum that nobody can stop!
Peace and Blessings!
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Spadecaller
Feb. 11, 2007, 1:02 a.m.It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from the government."
-- Paine
Keeping theses issues exposed will, at best, keep the embers of our dying democracy alive.
To restore it, is a different matter. It would require unity and enough power to render our counterfeit government powerless by means of a boycott of the funds that we provide it to function. Where is the bravery that led to dumping the tea into the Boston Harbor?
That kind of courage and unity among the American people may have become extinct. And that is assuming that enough Americans are even aware that our goverment is no longer "ours" -- that it has been bought by corporate lobbyists who direct their representatives that we elect.
This is an issue that most of us walk around as if it were that dreaded elephant standing in the middle of the room, which it is.
What then remains? Only the words of Paine, a written document, and the memory of a democracy fading.
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berkeley
Feb. 11, 2007, 2:38 a.m.your proposal takes aim at money, which is appropriate as it seems to corrupt most people that it touches. but if we look at history, we find no occasions in which money surrendered its power. so instead, another approach might be more likely to work, and that would be to end the monopoly the two major parties presently have.
one option is to enact Instant Runoff Voting for every election, local, state and national. both parties have fought this at every step, a good sign that it would help restore balance.
another is to abolish the format of presidential debates, allow other candidates to participate, and allow them to ask questions of each other. both pat buchanan and ralph nader would have made mincemeat of the the official candidates of the past decades.
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Amazing1
Feb. 11, 2007, 7:32 a.m.While contacting all 535 members of Congress, I made them all aware of the fact that they took an oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution from both foreign and domestic threat.
If they do not begin soon to make changes in the way business is done, then we must vote them out or impeach them. We are sliding down the slippery slope of totalitariansim. Our current administration is out of control with arrogance and stupidity.
And the fourth estate is a joke. Most of the journalists and pundits are merely echoing the talking points of whomever they talked to last. The drum beat for Iran is a great example. IED's found with Iranian markings. Have you heard one reporter ask what percentage of the total that is? Or the markings for what other countries have been found?
We need elections based on debates ONLY! I am sick of junk mail covered in lies arriving at my mail box.
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FrankieT
Feb. 11, 2007, 7:59 a.m.Corrupt government? How about treasonous government?
Mandate at least a three party system. (Big changes for us if that happened.)
Stop lobbyist from giving anything to representatives; money, gifts, vacations, etc. Information on an issue is fine but no dinero! (You would see another positive change.)
Don't hold your breath cause they sure do not want either of thos two things to happen. Both sides!
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anioklyComment has been removed: User banned.
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Harbeas
Feb. 11, 2007, 8:52 a.m.Know who you are voting for! If the individual fails to live up to his public responsibility, vote him/her out of office. Eliminate PAC's and all lobbyists from contacting any politician. Ban all private contributions to a politicias reelection campaign. Get more involved in the govermental process and vote for only those people who consider political office as a public service job and not a personal agenda for financial gain on their part. I agree with the article that we can take back control of our government, but we have to become more involved.
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Nowalive
Feb. 11, 2007, 9:38 a.m.Outstanding! SB you have obviously read my profile. I have long been a proponent of government of the people,for the people, and by the people.
We need to get back to basics. America First, common sense leadership, elimination of ALL lobbyists, no more unvouchered expenses.
We need an informed electorate. No more MTV, 527's, Vote or Die BS. It's time we (the truly interested) started posting voting records of candidates, and sitting officials. Show them for who they really are.
At this time I would like to announce my candidacy for the office of President of the United States of America. I have never held office so I have not been corrupted by the politics of politics. Here is why I would make a suitable candidate.
1. I am not an insider.
2. I am a mechanic, mechanics can fix anything.
3. I couldn't do any worse.
So go ahead, elect me ......I dare you.
Vote Nowalive in '08. Common sense politics for the common man.
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Amazing1
Feb. 11, 2007, 9:41 a.m.I suggest that Hat Party. No elections, no campaigns, no mud-slinging. Everybody who wants to be in Congress puts their name in a hat after they pass a basic English literacy test, a math test and provides proof of US citizenship. We should probably also check to make sure they are not convicted felons.
Then, every two years, we pull names from the hat. Once your name has been pulled, you can't have another go. Congressional representatives will be paid minimum wage for actual hours worked. Overtime pay for more than 40 hours per week. And no special retirement bennies.
I think such a system would at least give us a shot of having something better than what we have now. Politics should not be a career choice.
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Searchbeam
Feb. 11, 2007, 11:53 a.m.SocraticMethod,
Very good question! In my coming blog, I will devote substantial space to propose the principles of relationship between an elected representative and his/her constituents and the implied service. The thorny issue of money will also come into focus. If we consider a contract between two consenting parties as the basis, things fall into place. Such contracts has a long history in common law as well as established law. They are valid in all states.
This draft will be open to suggestions. Once our friends here discuss and express their views, I will incorporate them into the working draft.
It will be a collaborative process. I will act as the originator, facilitator and conduit to get it all together.
We are onto something big here and we must be cautious to dot all the i's and cross all the t's.
I am grateful to all for putting your shoulders to the wheel to pull our wagon out of this mud of corruption.
Peace and Blessings!
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Harbeas
Feb. 11, 2007, 11:14 a.m.There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a career politician. As long as they remember that their job is a public servant, no problem. Too many of our current crop seems to have forgotten that.
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uncleT
Feb. 11, 2007, 11:16 a.m.I have stated in the past that all the folks in congress be elected by their continents on the local level for a limited stay in office. These folks would be forbidden from making the transition to lobbyist after leaving office.
Only the president would be elected nationally. He would not be allowed to fly all over the country making endorsements to congressmen and senators. That would be deemed as interference with the grass roots movement to keep local elections between these congressmen & senators and their continents local.
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FrankieT
Feb. 11, 2007, 11:32 a.m.aniokly, were you addressing me as offering simplistic solutions. Couldn' really tell.
However, I feel we do need more thana legitimate 2 party system. and that would make a BIG difference.
also, removing the money tree lobbyists right to give $$$, gifts, etc to politicians WOULD change politics quite a bit.
ciao
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Openeyes
Feb. 11, 2007, 12:12 p.m.While I find it refreshing that these ideas are being discussed here,it is regretable that it took so long to get the people mad enough to seek other avenues.Government has for decades made the political process both boring and confusing to the average person.Couple this with the lack of education on the constitution and bill of rights in our schools now and we have a generation largely ignorant of their responsibilities as citizens.To wake them up is going to be a task for sure.Nessessary,yes,if our system is to survive.
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rustman420
Feb. 11, 2007, 12:22 p.m.Here's the real situation. Yes, we are supposed to rely on the Media to be our watchdogs. Bad idea. You've got to understand the fact that 'these Corporations' own the media. Let's take WWII scandal as an example. During WWII the 'Corporate Conspiracy' was at it's hieght. IBM, Standard Oil, JP Morgan Chase bank(All controlled by John D. Rockefeller), Brown Brothers Harriman(Controlled by W. Averill Harriman, son of E. H. Harriman, the railroad tycoon and Prescott Bush, Father to George H. W. Bush) General Electric (ties to Rockefeller, financially backed by JP Morgan Chase) General Motors (Owned by DuPont) DuPont, Dow Chemical, Hearst Publications, Alcoa, Ford Motor Company and others were all implicated for War Profiteering and the Creation of Auschwitz as a labor camp. Now, somehow this never gained national attention. At this time, GE owns NBC, Harriman controls CBS and Hearst, About 85% of major newspaper. This news never reached the public. Wonder why?
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