The Cancer Metastasizing Our Body Politic - Time To Cut it Out
By Thom Hartmann A...
There's one particular cancer that has attacked our body politic, and that cancer is money in politics. We tried to get that out of politics in 1973 after the Nixon scandals.
We passed some really strong laws. You can't give more than $1700 to any presidential candidate. You can't give more than $4,000 to a political party, all that stuff.
And the Supreme Court blew it up in 1976 in the Buckley v. Valeo case.
What Move to Amend is trying to do is to go around the federal politicians by going to the individual states. And if you can get 34 states to pass a resolution saying that the constitution should be amended to say that corporations are not people, money is not speech, and then you get 38 states to ratify that, it becomes an amendment to the Constitution.
That's something we've got to be doing and that's what Move to Amend is all about. That's the beginning. Once you get the money out of politics, then you don't have the forces working against you to try to stop you.
Comments
#2
The Fairness doctrine needs to be reinstalled. All radio, TV, newspapers, magizines, advertisements need to allow both or multiple sides. Eliminate money entirely. Trump paved the road to the WH with his own money. It is not ethical. Poor working class should be able to run for office without needing to drum up campaign support.
1. Why is it there is more scrutiny for a judge than a politician?
2. Colleges should be held to higher fiduciary standards.
3. Anyone completing a degree program should have a job guaranteed.
4. Communism had the best solution. Most jobs should pay the same.
5. All income capped at $150k per year and no equity beyond 1 million.
6. No matter your job status...everyone should have access to a new car.
7. Food pantries should only have new food and offer healthier choices.
8. If healthcare ins. will cover a $600 med; then they should cover food!
9. ALL DC IS CORRUPT. The Pentagon can not account for $6.5 trillion!
10. The POTUS should be respectful to the media or throw his ass out!
#3
Excellent and true. We the people in the Declaration of independence are told to throw out tyrants; yet, now days it is impossible!
#4
United to Amend is doing the same work in Wisconsin. We could not remain in Move to Amend because they require organizations to work on other issues. Wisconsin United to Amend has succeeded in passing resolutions in 110 Wisconsin municipalities. Their website is WIUTA.org. The state still refuses to put the resolution on a statewide ballot to allow the people to speak.
#5
Gee.. where you been on this one? Money has always been the malignant "cancer" on our political system. In layman's terms... The US Congress is the largest brothel in the world. Democrats and Republicans both "prostitute" themsleves for their "pimps" money. Joe Biden could a poster child for the Democrats... Mitch McConnell the poster boy for Repigs. Until we as people combine and throw all of them out... Amercia will never live up to it's marketed promises. "Give us your tired and desitute and we'll exploit them for profits.. get them to fight our wars over economic advatages. I ama veteran, I no longer salute the flag. I would welcome the opportunity to join the NFL players and take a knee.
#6
The press has bent over too... no free press as advertising dollars disappear. There is enough information to "fry" Trump and that political establishment we call Congress... there is no mechanism other than all out rebellion at this point in our history... the money flow will not go away.. it's all legal and we need tougher laws.. and a legal system willing to jail offenders. But as one Trump official early in his Presidency declared that no one could stop them as they own all three branches of Government. With our elected "Christian Reich" fully in charge, there can be no changes for the many versus the few that get a part of the take.
#7
We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.
#8
Well; seems like the current events are taking care of this yearlong nightmare and the "Chickens are really a coming home to roost". It will all hinge (and I mean all) on how the 25% (now) react. Some of us live in areas where, if they go ballistic, it could actually start another uncivil war. Local law enforcement loves this fool. Have some family (inlaws) members who won't even watch the NFL now that wear a badge. Saddest time in my life I have ever experienced. And; the "hell" of it is, it will be led by these Christian Soldiers what's in church every Sunday to discuss what's wrong with our country (and gossip about attire). Seperation of Church and State is so blurred now they can't see it! I hope they get to the optomotrist quickly..... Or follow the Pied Piper all the way off to the North Sea by way of a cliff!
#9
I thought I left a similar version of this message last week although now I can't find it.
So here goes again.
I do not have the time to listen to the full 3 hour (2 hours + without commercials) podcast of Thom's radio program, so was was very happy last year when he started putting out the The Hartmann Report on the iTunes podcast. I thought it was a great daily summary, or daily 'best of' Thom, whether it was guests, rants of some of the really thoughtful listener calls. I really got addicted to it. I also passed onto several friends who downloaded it regularly and it certainly helped change their way at looking at things.
In light of the importance of this 2018 election year, having an easily digestible one hour Thom Report seemed even more important and urgent this year. So it was with real surprise and disappointment to discover that apparently the one hour free podcast has been discontinued as of 2018.
Why discontinue it now, in light of the fascist challenges facing our country more than ever?
#10
All through history the "Golden Rule" has been: "Whoever has the gold makes the rule."
The enlightenment thinkers noted the insanity of this and left us with written inspiration on how to avoid the potential abuse. Jefferson certainly was clued in and understood the dangers, yet we always seem to fall short of "good government. " Locke's social contract remains the blueprint we need to thwart the cancer of extreme wealth leading to arbitrary rule by the morbidly rich.
Of course the enlightenment thinkers couldn't foresee anti democracy weapons like foxaganda and the modern warfare of the cyber sort being waged against us by Putin. BTW: He's kicking our sorry ass thanks to our foxmerized CIA and FBI.
Democracy is and always has been government of the many not of the monied.
Money out of politics is the answer, and I continue to stamp all of my greenbacks with the protest slogans.
#11
# 10 perfect. No i'm not a Judge but feel you are on a big point; kudos! Your comment is perfect and leads me to mine! Since most of the devout that voted for this crap are Evangelicals I ask this question from anyone (because im lazy I suppose), "what degree of Deadly sins was Greed"? Kinda hate to question that but; could it be we must conquor GREED to get to the next level of humanity?
I hope if answerd, it's not anything worse than greed that would result in this "herd" mentality going forward.
#12
# 10 perfect. No i'm not a Judge but feel you are on a big point; kudos! Your comment is perfect and leads me to mine! Since most of the devout that voted for this crap are Evangelicals I ask this question from anyone (because im lazy I suppose), "what degree of Deadly sins was Greed"? Kinda hate to question that but; could it be we must conquor GREED to get to the next level of humanity?
I hope if answerd, it's not anything worse than greed that would result in this "herd" mentality going forward.
#13
Can anyone explain why those voters being illegally thrown off the voter roles by Kobach's crosscheck don't file suit against him and the state governments that are allowing it.
If it's a case of actually voting and not knowing your vote didn't count, then why aren't all the local board of elections involved not charging those citizens with voter fraud? They have the addresses and signatures of each suspected illegal vote. When charged that voter would know there is election fraud taking place and could easily prove their innocence...however is that precisely why they aren't being contacted and charged?
On the other hand James Brown shows up to vote and is turned away. Now he is in fact aware of the election fraud and needs to stand with thousands of others like him and go after Kobach and that precinct for election/engineering fraud.
I've never heard Thom or Greg Palast address this.
#14
My internet must be being throttled already... Apologies.
#15
To legislate against greed is the primary function of good government Oldskoold....in my opinion anyway.
#16
Yep!
#17
I like the idea...
But, good luck getting 34 states, to even put it on a state level ballot as a resolution/ referendum. Sounds like a "pipe dream" to me.
Unfortunately... This genie has been let out of the bottle. And lm afraid the bottle is broke.
We're totally screwed!!
#18
#4 plugar
I live in Wisconsin. And, as long as the "Koch whore" Scott Walker is our governor, and we have the "Fitzgerald" Republican state house...
We will NEVER see any sort of resolution/referendum to get money out of politics, on any kind of ballot in this state... NEVER!!
#19
If aliens came to Earth and encountered America's really, really efed-up voting system, they would have to wonder WTF do humans exactly mean by their word "democracy!"
Because, like a turd circling a toilet, the whole goddamn, moneyed-up, warmongering mess, helping to tear apart a dying planet, sure looks like it's spiraling down into what on their world is simply called "fascism," which was stamped out so many eons ago that their race has little memory of the "Dark Time."
(Lol, I guess the circling-turd analogy might not mean much to someone using zero-g toilets.)
#20
2950-10K -- Thom and Greg do talk about going after election fraud. I remember Greg mentioning Jill Stein taking a case to court in Michigan. The judge said see had a very solid case but no standing. That is, even if she won in court, she wouldn't have won the election. Where was Hillary? She would have had standing.
My understanding is that no one is turned away. The interstate cross-check removes a voter from the voter registration roll. The voter is not turned away, but is given a provisional ballot. He just has to show up at government office within 5 days and verify that he should be a registered voter. It is hard enough to get people to vote, let alone go through that process. I am sure some do; however, I presume enough do not.
Interstate cross-check is just one way they do it. The ACLU and others are taking Sec of State's to court often for many of the other ways. Sometimes they are winning. You do know they closed down the tRump-Koback phony commission.
#21
In my state we vote by mail. We also have polls but mail is much more convenient. Also our DMV issues ID for people that do not drive. You do not see pictures of long lines in poor neighborhoods. We have a Democratic Governor. It is what all states should do. Discouraging voting is about as corrupt as it gets. Kris Kobach is as corrupt as it gets. I like Australia's method. They fine you if you do not vote.
#22
Yes, in a democracy voting should be mandatory. And upon birth or being awarded citizenship, registration should be automatically assigned for life, much like a social security number. When an eligible citizen moves from one district to another it should also be mandatory to alert poll workers in the states affected, so that accurate rolls are maintained.
In this modern era of ubiquitous IT systems, we should be able do this quickly and easily in a fairly streamlined manner. Why would that be any more of a burden for average citizens than the blizzard of forms and registration processes that corporations constantly throw at us to function in their world as consumers? Isn't voting in a functioning democracy even more important than consuming goods and services in the private sector?
Surely, America's much ballyhooed innovative spirit can do this, so that voting is a positive and satisfying experience. Our state also offers mail-in ballots with about a three-week lead time in addition to the traditional polling stations. It's cool for busy, busy people to have the leisure to study the candidates and issues without undo time pressure.
Perhaps even make voting day a paid holiday, or at least move the deadline to the weekend. Hype it up as a celebratory event like the Fourth of July. After casting their votes, revelers can retire to their homes or public parks or restaurants or bars to put on feasts with their family and friends. Eat, drink, and be merry -- yeh, ain't democracy great!
But nooo! Voting's gotta be an ugly, discouraging, disheartening nightmare, because the more good citizens who vote the less chance Republicans -- a minority party of the filthy rich -- have to win elections. That's one political reality that never changes. Make fascism great again!
#23
Hephaestus #1. Very appropriate and timely passage! And thanks for that awesome link.
#24
And the abuse continues...
More evidence brought to the "proper authorities," which should alert even disbelieving wingnuts to Republicans' underhanded election-fraud tactics to purge legitimate voters. This case is just the tip of the iceberg. Now we'll see how the Republican Supreme Court handles a dire threat to democracy, with other red states chomping at the bit for the go ahead:
#25
Been busy the last few days and haven't had time to comment; I know the trolls, as a result, are deeply saddened, but I feel compelled to add my support for a constitutional amendment to remove money from the election process.
There; see how nice I can be!!!
#26
I have tried to have a successful conversation with Thom Hartmann for 6 years. I have PTSD and anxiety issues. A host of other issues that make a phone conversation on live TV difficult. The day before the Tea Party shut down back in 2011 was the day after I called Eric Crawford Republican Arkansas District 1. My district. I called for constituent services 4 an sbir Grant. Because of Fukushima Joplin Missouri and record gas prices I felt called apawn as an industrial designer to produce a device capable of putting fossil fuel out of business. Boy did I learn a lot that day. I have been trying to recover emotionally for the last 6 years. I am still unable to call you or show without having an anxiety attack. I'm hoping that there is some way that you might contact me and learn more about the tribulations of the last 6 years.
#27
Climate change, green energy, clean energy, renewable energy, green energy, I am attempting crowdfunding on social media, I have a great many fears in this area as well.
#28
If aliens came to earth...
deepspace # 19
Reminds me of the 1968 episode of Star Trek. "Patterns of Force" Where the Enterprise visits the planet Ekos in the M43 Alpha system. In the episode...the planet is dominated by a copy of the earths Fascist Nazi regime. But with late 20th century technology...
"Chuckling" But, l think the "turds" still circled the toilet bowl on the Enterprise.
#29
If aliens came we would instantly classify ourselves as Cartoucheve level 1.
#30
My fondest wish is that the United Federation of planets is clandestinely interfering in America's government as we speak. With the sole intent of saving us from Blotus 45.
#31
I have placed my design and related issues on a website I will share it with you personally if you ask. After 6 years of harassment from the Koch brothers I am reticent 2 share it with you at this time.
#32
My industrial design produces vegetables as well.
#33
Help me Tom
#34
Hmmm...
I wonder where the "trolls" have been? They must crawl back under their faux news bridges during the week.
#35
#26 - Bless you!
Find solace in that - "reality is merely an illusion" Albert Einstein
https://www.quora.com/Reality-is-merely-an-illusion-albeit-a-very-persis...
#36
chuckle8: Thanks for the info. So based on what you said, it seems to me that anyone handed a provisional ballot under questionable circumstances needs to demand the cross check documents. Once they verify that the middle name, SS number, and address of the generic name being used by Kobach does not match theirs.... then at that point they have evidence of election fraud and need to file suit. We still have laws in this country......election fraud is illegal.
It seems to me that ACLU lawyers would already be seeking those being handed provisional ballots and following up on the fraud...looks like an easy case to prove...lock him up, lock him up! LOL
#37
I worked on the initiative campaign for this in WA state, and we carried every single Congressional District. Nothing has happened. Our Republican representatives have ignored signing on to the legislation calling for a Constitutional Amendment.
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