Start Talking.
George Soros, $25 million to HRC and other candidates and PAC’s who support Democrats.
Tom Steyer, $32 Million to Democratic causes, $74 million in the last election
Haim Saban, $11 million
Fred Eychaner, $11 million
Don Sussman, $13 million
Pritzkers, James Simmons, Herbert Sanders, many millions more
HRC has said she will work to take “big money” out of politics, that is after she takes it to get elected.
The definition of hypocrisy.
Both parties have ranted and raved about a branch of the government taking too much power, from another. Then candidate Obama ranted about then President Bush being “imperial.” Good grief, look at him now, even the NYT agrees, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/23/opinion/sunday/ross-douthat-the-making-of-an-imperial-president.html?_r=0.
The courts wax and wane, legislating or reversing themselves later. Congress whines but can’t come together as a body to stop it.
But, what is scary to me is the growth of the fourth branch, the bureaucracy. Not elected, but directed to carry out something and then mission creep happens so they can expand their mission and jobs, etc.
Mike Lee wrote a great article in NR, July 11, 2016, “The Incredible Shrinking Congress.” You would think that both parties would see that by allowing the unelected power they are hurting themselves in the long run. The enemy of my enemy is my friend applies. Both parties need to bring balance back by ensuring money is spent, people are hired, things are bought only by the authority of Congress.
The slope is slippery, it is getting steeper.
There are many out there on both sides of the political aisle who are disgusted with the two main candidates, or looking at the others running see even more reasons not to vote for them either-so, I see no reason to vote seems to be the conclusion.
Dude, I understand and can sympathize!
In many states, like mine-Alabama, or yours, Massachusetts lets’ say, you could stay home because the masses are riled up and my one vote, even if for the winner of the state, really won’t make a difference.
But, what do we lose by not voting. Participation. Connection. Investment. What will destroy the American governmental experience is apathy.
Ben Franklin famously said, “You have a republic, if you can keep it.” http://www.ourrepubliconline.com/Author/21. Eric Metaxas just wrote a book with that title reminding us about the uniqueness of our republic, “If you can keep it.” http://ericmetaxas.com/books/if-you-can-keep-it/.
Many think we should destroy it, put in a religious controlled, one party controlled, parliamentary controlled, stronger executive, stronger judiciary, soak the rich, and the list goes on. Both sides are further from the middle, http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/06/12/7-things-to-know-about-polarization-in-america/.
Our fore people came from all of the above and wanted something different. Where all kinds of folks were equal (It took us 190 years for the vision to actually happen legally, not bad considering for the past 4,000 years that has not been the case). Where you could worship God, science, the sun, whatever, and not be killed or put in jail. They did so with disagreements, fights on the floor of conventions, imperfect people trying, always trying, but they did it.
Over half of earners pay no income taxes today. Our government grows larger by the year, whether Republican or Democrat, controlling more of our lives each day. Power corrupts, ….http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/power_corrupts.html. Central control reduces the key driver for economic growth. Whether that means special treatment for large companies or free college without any way to pay for it.
Our system was created to have as little government control as possible, why, because of the history of where those people came from. It has been shown in modern times that National Socialist, Communist, Totalitarian, Theocratic, Monarchical…. forms of government deprive people of the freedom to be financially independent.
Hillary will be nominated tonight. Bernie has ensured free college, $15 minimum wage, soak the rich taxes, less trade, bathrooms, …… will be part of the platform. Trump blathers on about whatever, most of which I dislike. But, which one will increase government less? I must vote for that one.
I must vote. I must participate. And hold my nose while I do it this cycle. Reagan had his issues, but a lack of humility was not one. A leader must be humble, realizing they are serving us, the citizen. Neither one this year.
Hillary said in a taped speech to the Netroots Nation conference, “Today, I’m announcing that in my first 30 days as President, I will propose a constitutional amendment to overturn “Citizens United” and give the American people-all of us-the chance to reclaim our democracy.”
That supreme court decision said it was legal for corporations to spend money on political speech.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_United_v._FEC
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, No. 08-205, 558 U.S. 310 (2010), is a U.S. constitutional law case dealing with the regulation of campaign spending by organizations. The United States Supreme Court held (5–4) that Freedom of Speech prohibited the government from restricting independent political expenditures by a nonprofit corporation. The principles articulated by the Supreme Court in the case have also been extended to for-profit corporations, labor unions and other associations.
She doesn’t like it because the FEC had ruled that Citizens United could not produce a video opposing her earlier run for the presidency. They sued and won. She doesn’t like it because she can’t control the information like she wants to. Donald Trump has growled about the same thing, controlling the information. So has Erdogan after the coup attempt. So do most people in charge of totalitarian states.
Do we spend too much money on political campaigns, without a doubt. Controlling the money ain’t the solution, changing how we elect folks may be the answer.
Politicians, in most cases, want control, power. You know the old saying about power and corruption, reduce the power, reduce the corruption. Information is powerful tool to do so.
The progressives talk a great deal about unwarranted access to the political process by corporations, lobbyists, the military, anyone they don’t agree with philosophically. I get it; like politicians are objective legislators who do their own research, never asking for opinions from others, just doing their own thing. Well, that hasn’t happened since Brutus and others knifed Ceasar in the Forum, politicians are supposed to be influenced by all their stakeholders.
California insurance commissioner Dave Jones is an environmental advocate, a fan of Tom Steyer (who has spent hundreds of millions of dollars supporting candidates who agree the sky is falling and the seas are rising). That is fine, that is politics. That is the definition of the political process.
But Mr. Jones has told insurance companies doing business in California must also agree with his philosophy by disinvesting in those companies, like coal, who are blacklisted by those who think like he does. He is also planning to run for Attorney General if Harris is elected to the Senate. If a Republican did what Jones is doing he would be drug through the mud and sentenced to a tongue lashing from, one of those dudes on TV.
Double standard, absolutely.
The above title is from the American Enterprise Institute, a non partisan, conservative think tank, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Enterprise_Institute.
The battle over the American military presence overseas, and in the seas has been raging since 1787. The Federalists and “Republicans” of the time had long and bitter battles in Congress and in the country over whether or how we should be involved. As the various sides gained power their policy would be put in place, sometimes successfully, Barbary Pirates, WW 1 and 2; sometimes not so successfully, Vietnam.
With the probability of national wars receding, hopefully, we face however a much heightened threat of “Asymmetric” warfare. What should we do? Put troops in Iraq? Pull our soldiers out of Korea and Europe? Mothball our aircraft carriers, or build more?
One thing for sure, not being prepared to fight has encouraged idiots with power and money to kill others expecting us and our “allies” to do nothing. The examples of this are too numerous to mention, but just a few, Rwanda-Kuwait-Poland-Manchuria-Korea.
Turning our back on the responsibility to be strong is foolish; Bernie, HRC and my fellow libertarians. The responsibility to have a respectful and strong diplomatic arm is as important as the military, so to keep us out of conflict, Donald.
With our win-lose attitude in Congress and the executive branch I have little hope that passions will lose to reasoned thought. Sad. So many lessons of history both sides are ignoring.
The article below from AEI is reasoned, please take some time to read.
Peace
http://www.aei.org/publication/the-next-us-president-must-carry-a-big-stick/?utm_source=paramount&utm_medium=email&utm_content=AEITODAY&utm_campaign=060316
I am 69. I served in the military, I serve the community in various ways, I serve in my choice of religious institutions, I serve my family, I serve my customers, I serve, you.
I am so sick of national politicians who win elections by tearing down the U.S. “We are going to fundamentally change this country. The first time in my life I have been proud of my country. Those people are dummies, can’t negotiate well. Wall Street are a bunch of crooks. What difference does it make now, anyway.” First prize to the first person who correctly identifies who said what. And the people that don’t tear down the country, or their opponent, are not elected to highest offices.
Joe Rosenberg wrote an editorial in the WSJ a while ago, talking about the collective economy he experienced first hand, Israel, or through friends, relatives or through people he met, Europe, Russia, China. All stole liberty from people, liberty to pursue happiness as they see fit. Capitalism has raised billions of people out of poverty, not government controlled economics.
He says, “Bernie Sanders and I are poster children for what poor Jew from Brooklyn or Germany can accomplish… Please stop tearing down the country that has been so good to both of us” (and millions of others-my comment).
Benjamin Franklin famously said to a person outside of the hall where our constitution was just barely passed. “You have a republic, now let’s see if you can keep it.” To keep we all have to serve one another, not take from one another. We have to love one another enough to compromise. Please.
Lowell McAdams, CEO of Verizon responded to Senator Bernie Sanders naming Verizon as a “Non fair payer of taxes” in early April, 2016. In fact he states Verizon has paid $15.6 Billion in taxes in the last two years at a rate of 35.6%.
Senator Sanders also said Verizon doesn’t benefit America. Mr. McAdams noted Verizon had invested $35.6 Billion in the U.S. and paid $16 Billion in dividends.
Exactly how much more is required to be on the Bern’s good list, all of it? An old fart ranting and raving, what have we come to?
Our tax rates for corporations are the highest in the world, our tax structure invites companies and individuals to find ways to reduce tax bills (Like buying solar panels, hybrids and thousands more ways), and higher taxes are proven to reduce actual revenue-see France over the last few years.
Reduce tax complexity, reduce regulations, invite business to repatriate cash, etc., this will goose our growth, thus creating jobs, increasing tax revenue, reducing our social spending, etc.
The above title is from an article in the WSJ by Loraine Maguire. The Little Sisters are in court to protest offering abortion benefits to their employees. The Supreme Court asked the Order if there was a way to provide these benefits outside of the health plan of the Order. The Order said yes.
Wow, a solution that both sides can accept. Those who want the benefits can get them, the sisters don’t have to include them in their plan. But wait? The government, meaning the Obama administration, said NO WAY! In other words, you must fall in line with us or we will absolutely punish you. You must think like us, or else!
This is the epitome of arrogance and abuse of power. No wonder Congress is deadlocked. The job of a leader is to bring opposing sides together, not actively separate them. That is called totalitarianism, fascism, etc. I have the power, I will force you to fall in line even if there is a compromising solution available.
Pope Francis took time out of his trip to the U.S. to visit the facility of the Little Sisters of the Poor to commend their work. Maybe the Justice Department will take the hint?
Lord Acton, “Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely” 1887. Let’s not let absolute power happen. We are trending in that direction.
5/17/2016
The Supreme court has sent the case back down to the lower court, http://www.rollcall.com/news/policy/supreme-court-sends-birth-control-case-back-lower-courts?utm_name=newsletters&utm_source=rollcallnewsalerts&utm_medium=email.
According to the article, it appears that both sides are willing to reach an agreement. The LIttle Sisters won’t be fined, the government will accept a change in its’ position. I spoke too soon, sense has prevailed?
Israel. A nation created in 1947 by the winning allies of WW2. A “homeland” for the Jewish faith. Prior to this date “Zionists” had been moving into the area from various parts of the world as the Jews were ex-pulsed (Spain 1492), persecuted (Europe for hundreds of years), slaughtered (Germany, Russia), objects of prejudice (U.S., R.O.W.), etc. Theodor Henzi is credited with formalizing the “Zionist” movement in the late 19th century.
A democratic nation, with 80% of the population of the Jewish faith, elections are hotly contested. The parliament flows between very conservative views to more liberal, peace with their Arab neighbors an elusive goal.
They have been attacked militarily numerous times, almost losing a couple of times. They continue to be attacked politically in the “United” (what a misnomer) “Nations” by Arab states and ankle biters, and increasingly in Europe by various groups. Antisemitism (another misnomer, Arabs are Semites also) is on the rise again.
Our current president has gone out of his way to weaken our relationship, maybe with good intent to improve our relationship with Arabic nations but with amazingly horrible results.
Israel’s foes are mostly totalitarian monarchies, many are theocracies that reject individual liberties, especially freedom of religion.
Has Israel done things that we should criticize, certainly. Settlements, guerrilla warfare, killing of innocents (Hotel David in 1946), etc.
But, should we as a country stand beside Israel? My view is most assuredly. If a country refuses to acknowledge our right to exist, to publicly say we should all be killed because of what we choose to believe would we rise up and resist, absolutely.
We must not be seen as supporting those who refuse to acknowledge the right for Israel to exist and call for its’ destruction. By not vehemently opposing such a view in public, and by not imposing consequences on those who say such things, we leave Israel in the wind.
We knew about the death camps and did not act. We knew about the genocide in Rwanda and did not act. Until Pearl Harbor “America First” was the majority opinion. The KKK had millions of members at one time. Leaders are called upon to remind citizens of our moral compass. We currently lack such a leader.