Why even bother voting?

[robzilla]

It seems like lobbyists control politicians on both sides. Why dont the companies pay us, and we will elect the corporations directly in to office.

[SportsMushroom]

I hope you are just venting

because it would be sad if you are just figuring this out now

I figured it out as soon as my brain had developed independent thought


saddest part is that most people dont realize, and let themselves be led by corrupt, selfserving forces that wear a mask bearing the face of whoever is in office at the time

[robzilla]

That awesome that you are so advanced shroom.

I dont see anyway that this lobbying shit will ever end.

[doublej95]

Don't vote don't bitch

[robzilla]

Don't vote don't bitch

that doesnt make sense. you're voting for Person A (backed by company x,y,z) vs. Person B (backed by company x,y,z)

The process isnt the issue, because the results are the same no matter what.

[robzilla]

[doublej95]

I work for the government so I know about all the crooked bullshit that happens but I like my side in charge. My life is better when it is.

[SportsMushroom]

That awesome that you are so advanced shroom. I dont see anyway that this lobbying shit will ever end.

wasnt trying to brag

I just think its so obvious, they dont even try to hide what is going on, yet people still dont see it

I would have figured that with what has been going on in the last few decades the people would react, take over a city or some shit, instead, everyone is content with their pathetic existence and allow a handful of people to use the world as their playground

[robzilla]

wasnt trying to brag I just think its so obvious, they dont even try to hide what is going on, yet people still dont see it I would have figured that with what has been going on in the last few decades the people would react, take over a city or some shit, instead, everyone is content with their pathetic existence and allow a handful of people to use the world as their playground

People are pre occupied with trying to get by. I think only when there is no hope that they do something. It seems like something always pops up to deflect attention from the issue.

[SportsMushroom]

People are pre occupied with trying to get by. I think only when there is no hope that they do something. It seems like something always pops up to deflect attention from the issue.

you make a great point

my belief is that those with the power, give to people just enough to keep them content and out of their way

[robzilla]

What is truely sad, is that there are people who think they faught for our freedom by fighting in wars. We are probably less free then we have ever been.

[HoulihansTX]

What is truely sad, is that there are people who think they faught for our freedom by fighting in wars. We are probably less free then we have ever been.

As a black guy. I will disagree. God Blees Lincoln, and the men of the civil war.

[robzilla]

As a black guy. I will disagree. God Blees Lincoln, and the men of the civil war.

We are all slaves my friend. Just not in such an obvious way.

[Deuce]

Don't wipe your ass because you're just going to shit again.

[P.F.Kasooff]

[FuzzyDunlop]

"If voting actually accomplished anything, it would be illegal."

[No coincidences]

Just because the system is broken doesn't mean you give up your right to participate in the very democratic process that makes our country function.

Don't let discouragement make you so apathetic that you stay away from the polls. If you do, you really have no right to criticize elected officials or the process, unfortunately.

[robzilla]

Just because the system is broken doesn't mean you give up your right to participate in the very democratic process that makes our country function. Don't let discouragement make you so apathetic that you stay away from the polls. If you do, you really have no right to criticize elected officials or the process, unfortunately.

You mean the process that doesnt work... we should keep doing something that doesnt work?!? It doesnt matter if everyone criticizes elected officials. Even if someone had 100% disapproval polls, it wouldnt matter.

[No coincidences]

You mean the process that doesnt work... we should keep doing something that doesnt work?!? It doesnt matter if everyone criticizes elected officials. Even if someone had 100% disapproval polls, it wouldnt matter.

I'm saying that until it officially changes and you are provided an alternative, you have to exercise your right in the meantime. If you stay away from the polls because you think the system is corrupt, you're actually contributing more to the problem than the solution.

I realize what you're saying, but go to the polls and write in candidates if you have to. Don't give up on the idea of a democratic system just because you don't like/trust the candidates or even the current form of the system itself.

[wantitall4moi]

The most improtant and meanigful vote would be to make it a crime for politicians to accept more than a certain amount of money from any special interest group. And have a limit set on he amount of times they can get donations from any related areas.

Obviously that will never happen.

But politics is business now, and why Democracy and capitalism fail, and why every other empire who had them crumbled and fell, from the inside. We have reached the mature state of what democracy(republic) and a capitalist economic approach become. It didnt take us nearly as long as it did some other societies, but we are there now.

So the only way to fix it is to make it illegal to do, and since the powers that be and them money that runs it wont let that happen then it never will.

but that is what revolutions are all about I guess.

[No coincidences]

The most improtant and meanigful vote would be to make it a crime for politicians to accept more than a certain amount of money from any special interest group. And have a limit set on he amount of times they can get donations from any related areas.

Obviously that will never happen.

But politics is business now, and why Democracy and capitalism fail, and why every other empire who had them crumbled and fell, from the inside. We have reached the mature state of what democracy(republic) and a capitalist economic approach become. It didnt take us nearly as long as it did some other societies, but we are there now.

So the only way to fix it is to make it illegal to do, and since the powers that be and them money that runs it wont let that happen then it never will.

but that is what revolutions are all about I guess.

I can't disagree with any of this unfortunately.

The day big business got in bed with big government, we were doomed. Still are. That's what happens when you worship the buck over all else.

[FuzzyDunlop]

I can't disagree with any of this unfortunately.

The day big business got in bed with big government, we were doomed. Still are. That's what happens when you worship the buck over all else.

That day was January 20, 1981.

[No coincidences]

That day was January 20, 1981.

Exactly.

It always amazes me that Reagan is lionized by the Republican party. I'm far from a staunch Democrat -- more Independent than anything else -- but I view Reagan as one of the more destructive Presidents we've ever seen, all things considered. He served as a mouthpiece and a puppet for the corrupt CEO's and big business, which help summarily run this country into the ground so that they could line their own pockets under the guise of "capitalism."

It's going to piss off probably every (R) who posts here, but I just don't get it. I lived through Reagan's terms and always viewed him as someone who got the ball rolling on the big-business style corruption that poisons our government to this day. The fact that he seems to get better with age in the eyes of many Republicans will always baffle me.

[wantitall4moi]

That day was January 20, 1981.

nah probably before then. There is always corruption in government mostly in the local and maybe some state level stuff. But it is widespread now and most stuff doesnt even get looked at. it usually takes a guy showing his rooster on his phone to matter.

Even the guy who sold Obama's seat probably would have gotten away with it it he were a little more popular and had more friends to help him cover it up.

Basically everything now is legalized corruption in the guise of lobbyists and donations. So these guys just write checks and theyre off. Although I am sure some of it is under the table but the ability to hide it in legit areas is very easy to do, and other than a full blown forensic accounting search of everyone youd never find out just how bad it is.

Which also isnt going to happen.

That is why democracy at this stage doesnt work, the voting process isnt nearly quick enough to fix the problems,a nd since law makers who make the laws also break the laws they know how and when to do it to the most efficient degree.

While it isnt a major connection, go look up all the felons and illegitimate kids and laws that have been broken by US politicians in just the last few years. Makes the NBA and NFL look like a frigging Seminary class.

[No coincidences]

nah probably before then. There is always corruption in government mostly in the local and maybe some state level stuff. But it is widespread now and most stuff doesnt even get looked at. it usually takes a guy showing his rooster on his phone to matter.

Even the guy who sold Obama's seat probably would have gotten away with it it he were a little more popular and had more friends to help him cover it up.

Basically everything now is legalized corruption in the guise of lobbyists and donations. So these guys just write checks and theyre off. Although I am sure some of it is under the table but the ability to hide it in legit areas is very easy to do, and other than a full blown forensic accounting search of everyone youd never find out just how bad it is.

Which also isnt going to happen.

That is why democracy at this stage doesnt work, the voting process isnt nearly quick enough to fix the problems,a nd since law makers who make the laws also break the laws they know how and when to do it to the most efficient degree.

While it isnt a major connection, go look up all the felons and illegitimate kids and laws that have been broken by US politicians in just the last few years. Makes the NBA and NFL look like a frigging Seminary class.

Well, you're right that it was probably going on at a smaller scale before Reagan, but the doors blew off with his Presidency and it's been bad ever since. No President -- whether it be HW, Clinton, W or Obama -- has come even remotely close to "cleaning up" politics or what has become, literally, "business" as usual.

It's hard for the voting process to "fix" anything when the corruption is so widespread. I mean, we're talking virtually universal. With that being said, though, if you give up and become apathetic/numb to the situation, I know for a fact that's not going to solve anything. I don't know what the answer is, but staying home tomorrow isn't it.

[Nookx]

I agree with Robzilla. Its all pretty much a sick joke these days. However I think its best to just vote libertarian by default because the masses democrats/Rebublicans are completely ******* the people. Vote Ron Paul.

[wantitall4moi]

Well, you're right that it was probably going on at a smaller scale before Reagan, but the doors blew off with his Presidency and it's been bad ever since. No President -- whether it be HW, Clinton, W or Obama -- has come even remotely close to "cleaning up" politics or what has become, literally, "business" as usual.

It's hard for the voting process to "fix" anything when the corruption is so widespread. I mean, we're talking virtually universal. With that being said, though, if you give up and become apathetic/numb to the situation, I know for a fact that's not going to solve anything. I don't know what the answer is, but staying home tomorrow isn't it.

revolution, irony is how a 'patriot' would be defined today. More than likely they would be a domestic terrorist and put down like a dog.

[Inkwell77]

It's morning again in America.

Hurts. Reagan may have been good at the time, but goddamn he hurt the future.