Absolute power corrupts absolutely. The main game for our representatives in Washington, and in states, too, is to remain in office. This corrupts the legislative and executive decision making process.
The busted hose of monies in our political system spouts corporate and union Political Action Committees, congresspeoples' Leadership PACs, bundled corporate officer campaign contributions, lobbyist-sponsored fundraising lunches, trade association-sponsored travel, lobbyist heads of campaign committees, ideological 527s, campaign trips while in session, corporate-sponsored nominating conventions, 501(c)(4) organizations, 501(c)(6) organizationa, full-time campaign staff, phone bank companies, health insurance, use of corporate jets, pension plan, pork-barrel (district) spending, "franking"-- use of own office to send campaign materials, Washington DC-based fundraising dinners, congressional campaign committees, unlimited union contributions to 527s, unlimited individual contributions to 527s, race handicapping services, district gerrymandering, indian tribe contributions, major party pollsters, a politically-elected Federal Election Commission and more.
Status quo serving incumbents, and the political system that supports their perpetual re-election victories, must be replaced by public servants accountable to the people. Vote Out Incumbents for Democracy will encourage all voters to vote out corrupt politicians, election day after election day, until public servants represent their respective districts in the best interest of our nation as a whole.
Source: Politicalmoneyline.com, TheRestofUs.org
d.a.n said at :
2:51 PM, 02 06 2006 | Permalink
The newcomers to congress need our help.
Incumbents always outnumber the newcomers to congress.
Incumbents that will never allow the passage of any common-sense, no-brainer reforms.
Incumbents will never allow reforms that will reduce the power of their cu$hy, coveted seats of power, or reduce their opportunites for self-gain.
Book-deals, perk$, cu$hy retirement plans, free travel, big campaign donations, wining and dining . . . government is FOR SALE.
How bad does it have to get before voters do what they were supposed to be doing all along. Vote out all irresponsible incumbents, before we all have to learn the hard way (again).
d.a.n | February 6, 2006 2:51 PM
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d.a.n said at :
2:54 PM, 02 07 2006 | Permalink
And look at the way they have stacked the deck.
90% of elections are won by the candidate the spends the most money.
And, incumbents already have a big head start, pre-existing campaign organizations, and pre-existing big-money-donors that like that predicatability (as long as they cater to those big-money-donors).
How can the average American have a voice in government when politicians are controlled by a few that abuse vast weatlh and power?
Voters must be educated about all of this.
d.a.n | February 7, 2006 2:54 PM
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Stephanie said at :
11:46 AM, 02 09 2006 | Permalink
That's a lengthy and dangerous list, David. It amazing how thoroughly these irresponsible incumbents have secured themselves. But they are NOT invulnerable. Once the American people realize these politicians really are buying their votes--and that they have so little to show for it--money will start having less of an impact on elections.
Money is a powerful tool, but it's votes that win elections and votes are something we, the American people, have that no amount of money can take away.
Stephanie | February 9, 2006 11:46 AM
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