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chiquita · 10-31-2006, 01:53 AM,

Quote:ALL Federally elected politicians are on the public payroll -- be they Presidents or Congressmen.

The public payroll is nothing to these people compared to the corporate payouts. When government got into bed with big business, was the day we all lost our voice in D.C. You can't even run for public office even at the state level without major money. Both parties are equally guilty of taking special interest monies. The congress spends more collective time fundraising then actually working on legislation.
Angryfire

Our govenor spends more time out of the state then he does in it, and has aspirations for at least a VP candidate nomination. He is also basically running unopposed this year too.

BellisimaJ. · 10-31-2006, 02:08 AM,

Quote:The public payroll is nothing to these people compared to the corporate payouts. When government got into bed with big business, was the day we all lost our voice in D.C. You can't even run for public office even at the state level without major money. Both parties are equally guilty of taking special interest monies. The congress spends more collective time fundraising then actually working on legislation.

You are absolutely right, Chiquita.
The difference between the two parties in this area is that the Democrats have tried for years to push a credible bill through which would exert some control over this mess. They actually did manage a watered-down version, however the Republican party has been in power and it has been damn near impossible to do anything. Tongue2

Tom Lay is probably the best example. Angry9

stardust · 10-31-2006, 02:16 AM,

They're ALL crooks. It doesn't matter which party they profess to belong to.

I've always thought that the most idiotic thing in the constitution is having members of congress re-elected every 2 years. That's the reason they have to spend all their time raising money. It's nuts. Of course, the founders did not plan on politics being a life-time career... ;D

chiquita · 10-31-2006, 02:36 AM,

Star you are so correct. Career politicians were never part of the original governance plan.
When you have senators who are almost 100 years old, still getting re-elected than there is a serious problem. You can no longer tell the two parties apart. I can't believe given the large population and diversity in this country that we don't have multiple political parties with an active role in the system. Even Canada has multiple parties. It has been almost impossible for a third party to get anywhere, and that is the fault of the other 2 parties. Independents, Greens, and others are virtually shut out of debates, etc... Its all about the money buying the influence.

stardust · 10-31-2006, 02:47 AM,

I think it's just that any third party has not put up winning candidates. The exception was Ross Perot. He commanded a HUGE following -- then turned out to be a jerk. Tongue

Isn't Liebermann running this year on the Independent ticket after losing his primary? That should be interesting, as last I heard he's leading....

Also, if McCain were to run on the Independent ticket, he just might have a good chance. He's popular on BOTH sides......

The individual matters.

chiquita · 10-31-2006, 02:52 AM,

McCain was popular, until he totally did a 180 on Iraq, torturing of prisoners, and basically now has become a spokesperson for Bush. Lieberman is a republican, he only changed parties due to the loss of the primary. He even got support from the White House. Ross Perot was right about a few things though given hindsight. He was dead on about NAFTA being a bad deal, that would cost American jobs being outsourced. His pie charts however were great entertainment. Laughing7

BellisimaJ. · 10-31-2006, 03:12 AM,

[quote author=chiquita link=topic=5675.msg30076#msg30076 date=1162263139]
McCain was popular, until he totally did a 180 on Iraq, torturing of prisoners, and basically now has become a spokesperson for Bush.
[/quote]

You are right again. McCain has become a whore for the Republican party/Bush. He makes me want to Puke

these days. Laughing7

chiquita · 10-31-2006, 03:22 AM,

McCain's betrayal was to the Veterans too. If my father were still alive he would have blown a gasket over McCain's behavior. My dad was a WWII veteran, an a devout Democrat. I even used to like McCain especially when he seemed to be working for campaign finance reform. Not anymore.
Angry9

BellisimaJ. · 10-31-2006, 03:25 AM,

[quote author=chiquita link=topic=5675.msg30087#msg30087 date=1162264953]
McCain's betrayal was to the Veterans too. If my father were still alive he would have blown a gasket over McCain's behavior. My dad was a WWII veteran, an a devout Democrat. I even used to like McCain especially when he seemed to be working for campaign finance reform. Not anymore.
Angry9

[/quote]

I hear ya. I used to like him too. No more.

The Vets deserve a lot better than they have gotten in recent years. As do people on active duty now----------a whole other disgrace!! Angryfire

cranky_hippie · 10-31-2006, 03:28 AM,

EWWWW. Don't get me started on our lovely treatment of vets. Angryfire

My Dad spent 5 years convincing the gov that he truly was a POW during WWII. As if he wouldn't know! > Sad