What is not discussed in your beautiful piece is the corrupting influence of money, and greed. When the Citizens United decision was made, it opened the floodgates to massive amounts of money into our system, corrupting it. So much money anonymously is invested in campaigns, obscene amounts, to "buy" power and favor, to determine national policies -- above and beyond lobbying -- that we no longer seem to have a government of, by, and for the people. One glimpse of this current administration will tell you it is a government bought and paid for by oligarchs, oligarchs who have been willing to sacrifice democracy and democratic principles (like a free press) in order to receive hefty multi-million, and in some cases, multi-billion dollar contracts. Chief among the corrupting influences is the executive of this "family business." Congress has no role, because they have discovered that it is less the people they are representing than big-money interests if they want to be reelected, and the current president. The game has changed, over the course of years, to favor the wealthy, so the disparity between haves and have nots has never been so great. The overreach of the executive has been matched by the Supreme Court, which has been corrupted, or at least manipulated by Mitch McConnell refusing to do his job, in a major power grab. Two judicial seats were virtually stolen from the Democratic Party by his manipulations. Until corruption and self-interest are better regulated, and a level playing field achieved, the interests of the people, and ALL branches of government will not be well-served, in my view.
Yes! “The corrupting influence of money and greed” ballooned under the noses of my generation. We were too busy pursuing opportunities afforded us by our parents who caught the post-WW2 economic boom. We were activists for good causes in our youth, then energetic in our young working and reproductive years. We were slowly taken in by consumerism because we wanted the best for our children. At times we had moments of clarity concerning climate change, inequality, racism, vulnerability of the working class, proliferation of guns in our culture, the erosion of reliable news sources, the fraying of social connectedness and finally the shocking wealth transfer to an amoral billionaire class. But inevitably we sunk back into our day to day pursuit of success and what we thought of as “the good life.” If the “we” of which I speak is not you, I understand. But this is the story of many in my cohort. Now we are retired. “You won! What are you worried about!” a friend said to me over lunch two years ago. Well, now… NOW, what I was worried about has been made crystal clear. My generation never had to fight for freedom and prosperity - both a blessing and a curse for us. Now it’s too late and our time is short. We wish the subsequent generations would show more awareness and courage in the face of clear and present threats. We want them to fight and resist with vigor and don’t understand why they haven’t joined us protesting with our signs every Saturday. Most young folks I know won’t say this, but they’re sad and mad and just waiting for us to go away. We will not live to experience the full impact of our failures. We will not suffer the consequences to be visited upon our children and grandchildren. Oh my broken heart! I fear we’ve lost our democratic nation.
I'm right in those protest lines with you, and since I, too, am retired (72), I know exactly what you are talking about. I do not think we are responsible for this, however. We lived the life our parents wanted for us, and fought valiantly for. There will probably always be an immoral and amoral element in society possessing values different than ours. Polluting the air because it is good for "profitability" is short-sighted -- more money at any cost; white nationalism is an inability to recognize value and worth in every human being. People sense that there was something structural wrong, as the wealth disparity grew. They just did not understand what had taken place in the background -- the making of the billionaire class, the purchase of Congressional power. Democrats even had the bill for fortify our elections and our democracy; the House had passed it, but they did not prioritize it in the Senate. Congress played along with this system, with so much money invested in campaigns. Corporations and industries are so strong now, and international, almost selling out our national interests, the way Trump has, for profit. BUT, if there is a big enough blue wave, AND we can elect legislators that have a vision, to grasp that the problem has to do with money, monopolies, and (oddly enough) freedom of speech online that gives a megaphone to foreign, malignant actors under the guise of "news." Repealing Citizens United is critical to taking away power from Big Money, but we need Congressional leaders to lead, not follow, and to establish laws that regulate the internet, which will be challenging. Hubert, we need to live long enough to continue to make a difference! But, something tells me your children have wonderful values, and will continue to carry the torch for freedom. When I view the scenes in Minneapolis and hear the stories of an underground movement feeding immigrants, alerting them of the presence of ICE, I knowthat the desire for Justice and Freedom in this nation are great. We do not worship Putin, or aspire to be Russia. Our nation is full of "good guys" who just don't understand they have been backing the very person/regime that IS the problem.
The insanity beginning with Citizens United is very recent. This article is from a more historical perspective. The difficulty of balancing presidential with the other branches in the best possible way. Obviously the world has changed a great deal. None of the those who got together originally could have imagined thistles degree of power and corruption. The royal monarchs would have easily been brushed aside. A historical perspective is vital in figuring out how to amend the constitution in order to not over adjust.
Right now, as much as I hate saying it, the potential for injustice to blindside us while investigating Epstein and the untouchable rulers of our planet may backfire. Rather than going after the most guilty, the main people that end up paying the price will be those that are most vulnerable. What makes legal minds imagine their will be any change serious to harm all but a very few. Nothing.
What is not discussed in your beautiful piece is the corrupting influence of money, and greed. When the Citizens United decision was made, it opened the floodgates to massive amounts of money into our system, corrupting it. So much money anonymously is invested in campaigns, obscene amounts, to "buy" power and favor, to determine national policies -- above and beyond lobbying -- that we no longer seem to have a government of, by, and for the people. One glimpse of this current administration will tell you it is a government bought and paid for by oligarchs, oligarchs who have been willing to sacrifice democracy and democratic principles (like a free press) in order to receive hefty multi-million, and in some cases, multi-billion dollar contracts. Chief among the corrupting influences is the executive of this "family business." Congress has no role, because they have discovered that it is less the people they are representing than big-money interests if they want to be reelected, and the current president. The game has changed, over the course of years, to favor the wealthy, so the disparity between haves and have nots has never been so great. The overreach of the executive has been matched by the Supreme Court, which has been corrupted, or at least manipulated by Mitch McConnell refusing to do his job, in a major power grab. Two judicial seats were virtually stolen from the Democratic Party by his manipulations. Until corruption and self-interest are better regulated, and a level playing field achieved, the interests of the people, and ALL branches of government will not be well-served, in my view.
Yes! “The corrupting influence of money and greed” ballooned under the noses of my generation. We were too busy pursuing opportunities afforded us by our parents who caught the post-WW2 economic boom. We were activists for good causes in our youth, then energetic in our young working and reproductive years. We were slowly taken in by consumerism because we wanted the best for our children. At times we had moments of clarity concerning climate change, inequality, racism, vulnerability of the working class, proliferation of guns in our culture, the erosion of reliable news sources, the fraying of social connectedness and finally the shocking wealth transfer to an amoral billionaire class. But inevitably we sunk back into our day to day pursuit of success and what we thought of as “the good life.” If the “we” of which I speak is not you, I understand. But this is the story of many in my cohort. Now we are retired. “You won! What are you worried about!” a friend said to me over lunch two years ago. Well, now… NOW, what I was worried about has been made crystal clear. My generation never had to fight for freedom and prosperity - both a blessing and a curse for us. Now it’s too late and our time is short. We wish the subsequent generations would show more awareness and courage in the face of clear and present threats. We want them to fight and resist with vigor and don’t understand why they haven’t joined us protesting with our signs every Saturday. Most young folks I know won’t say this, but they’re sad and mad and just waiting for us to go away. We will not live to experience the full impact of our failures. We will not suffer the consequences to be visited upon our children and grandchildren. Oh my broken heart! I fear we’ve lost our democratic nation.
I'm right in those protest lines with you, and since I, too, am retired (72), I know exactly what you are talking about. I do not think we are responsible for this, however. We lived the life our parents wanted for us, and fought valiantly for. There will probably always be an immoral and amoral element in society possessing values different than ours. Polluting the air because it is good for "profitability" is short-sighted -- more money at any cost; white nationalism is an inability to recognize value and worth in every human being. People sense that there was something structural wrong, as the wealth disparity grew. They just did not understand what had taken place in the background -- the making of the billionaire class, the purchase of Congressional power. Democrats even had the bill for fortify our elections and our democracy; the House had passed it, but they did not prioritize it in the Senate. Congress played along with this system, with so much money invested in campaigns. Corporations and industries are so strong now, and international, almost selling out our national interests, the way Trump has, for profit. BUT, if there is a big enough blue wave, AND we can elect legislators that have a vision, to grasp that the problem has to do with money, monopolies, and (oddly enough) freedom of speech online that gives a megaphone to foreign, malignant actors under the guise of "news." Repealing Citizens United is critical to taking away power from Big Money, but we need Congressional leaders to lead, not follow, and to establish laws that regulate the internet, which will be challenging. Hubert, we need to live long enough to continue to make a difference! But, something tells me your children have wonderful values, and will continue to carry the torch for freedom. When I view the scenes in Minneapolis and hear the stories of an underground movement feeding immigrants, alerting them of the presence of ICE, I knowthat the desire for Justice and Freedom in this nation are great. We do not worship Putin, or aspire to be Russia. Our nation is full of "good guys" who just don't understand they have been backing the very person/regime that IS the problem.
The insanity beginning with Citizens United is very recent. This article is from a more historical perspective. The difficulty of balancing presidential with the other branches in the best possible way. Obviously the world has changed a great deal. None of the those who got together originally could have imagined thistles degree of power and corruption. The royal monarchs would have easily been brushed aside. A historical perspective is vital in figuring out how to amend the constitution in order to not over adjust.
Right now, as much as I hate saying it, the potential for injustice to blindside us while investigating Epstein and the untouchable rulers of our planet may backfire. Rather than going after the most guilty, the main people that end up paying the price will be those that are most vulnerable. What makes legal minds imagine their will be any change serious to harm all but a very few. Nothing.
Rand Paul is correct to say where’s the ambition of congress. Have they forgotten their role?