I've read similar comparison points before and it's not an entirely hard concept to consider. People are pissed off and desperately want to believe everything is as simple as a guy like Reagan, or Perot or Trump makes them believe it is. Reagan famously ran on saying, Government IS the problem" and after 30 odd years of endless blaming the government for everything we find objectionable in society, "here we go again" doubling down on the latest person to step up, "talk straight" and promise to take it to these career politicians who doesn't know America like Trump does.
Many have went to Washington as senators, as reps even as presidents and they were going to change the world. But Washington doesn't run like the rest of the world. Our current president ran on the hope and change platform but found that there is a lot more to change then talking about it. He also found that change in Washington is damn near impossible. The opposing party decided to do just nothing until they had control. They have control and still nothing has changed. The problem I think we would find out if we cared to really investigate the roadblock to change is called MONEY. Those that have it are making policy not those who we send to represent us. And unfortunately in todays world it takes increasingly more money to get elected to even lower jobs in state legislatures. When in office these people are now beholding to those who financed their run to get there. You have those such as Rand Paul. I remember listening to his victory speech, talking about all the things he was going to demand to see. He was going to get to the bottom of the problem. I suspect that about the time his first demand left his lips that he was told to sit down shut the fuck up and go with the status quo as so many other new legislators are. They are mere puppies in the world of the big dogs. They soon conform to get their share of time and money, to keep their jobs. It is so far out of control of you and me and us that I don't know if America will ever return to the democracy it was envisioned to be. I don't understand why those who are upset by how things work in Washington continue to support the moneyed interests that are a great part of the problem. Jimmy Carter says that America has become an oligarchy controlled by the big money interests. I think he may be right.
Rand Paul is an interesting case to me. On the one hand, he basically is the epitome of growing up privileged and he inherited a brand his father created. On the other hand, I think there have been times he has tried to make his own way and has been shouted down as you describe. I'm not sure in his case, however, that it has been all about the money. His exchange with Christie, I think, was very telling. He stood his ground on a constitutional issue regarding privacy. Christie, in response, called that ridiculous smoke blowing and suggested that the constitution needs to take a back seat when it comes to defense of the country. I see that as less about money and much more about feeding this meme that people need to be pissed off and need to govern with a mentality that the party in power needs to act with domination.
Monied interests can be shamed, but it takes a lot of effort. we always talk about how few people vote. but look at what happens when there is over the top outrage at some perceived slight from a mega chain restaurant. Look at the damage a group like PETA can cause. Boycotts can and do work, but not when so many people blindly claim allegiance to a party. I still think there is a way to reduce the influence of money, but I also believe we lack national will to do so.
That's a pretty tough article. His exchanges did not look comfortable with Trump or Christie, while conversely, they seemed to enjoy dismissing him with the kind of snark that both are used to dishing out everyday. I still contend that years of media bashing is having a lot to do with it. Paul has some principled positioned, Christie and Trump have persona. Persona is completely carrying the day right now.
Wait, what!?!?!?!?!? Are you trying to tell me that the future of all humanity will NOT be decided on how well somebody eats something on a stick in Iowa?
I've read similar comparison points before and it's not an entirely hard concept to consider. People are pissed off and desperately want to believe everything is as simple as a guy like Reagan, or Perot or Trump makes them believe it is. Reagan famously ran on saying, Government IS the problem" and after 30 odd years of endless blaming the government for everything we find objectionable in society, "here we go again" doubling down on the latest person to step up, "talk straight" and promise to take it to these career politicians who doesn't know America like Trump does.
ReplyDeleteMany have went to Washington as senators, as reps even as presidents and they were going to change the world. But Washington doesn't run like the rest of the world. Our current president ran on the hope and change platform but found that there is a lot more to change then talking about it. He also found that change in Washington is damn near impossible. The opposing party decided to do just nothing until they had control. They have control and still nothing has changed. The problem I think we would find out if we cared to really investigate the roadblock to change is called MONEY. Those that have it are making policy not those who we send to represent us. And unfortunately in todays world it takes increasingly more money to get elected to even lower jobs in state legislatures. When in office these people are now beholding to those who financed their run to get there.
ReplyDeleteYou have those such as Rand Paul. I remember listening to his victory speech, talking about all the things he was going to demand to see. He was going to get to the bottom of the problem. I suspect that about the time his first demand left his lips that he was told to sit down shut the fuck up and go with the status quo as so many other new legislators are. They are mere puppies in the world of the big dogs. They soon conform to get their share of time and money, to keep their jobs. It is so far out of control of you and me and us that I don't know if America will ever return to the democracy it was envisioned to be. I don't understand why those who are upset by how things work in Washington continue to support the moneyed interests that are a great part of the problem. Jimmy Carter says that America has become an oligarchy controlled by the big money interests. I think he may be right.
Rand Paul is an interesting case to me. On the one hand, he basically is the epitome of growing up privileged and he inherited a brand his father created. On the other hand, I think there have been times he has tried to make his own way and has been shouted down as you describe. I'm not sure in his case, however, that it has been all about the money. His exchange with Christie, I think, was very telling. He stood his ground on a constitutional issue regarding privacy. Christie, in response, called that ridiculous smoke blowing and suggested that the constitution needs to take a back seat when it comes to defense of the country. I see that as less about money and much more about feeding this meme that people need to be pissed off and need to govern with a mentality that the party in power needs to act with domination.
DeleteMonied interests can be shamed, but it takes a lot of effort. we always talk about how few people vote. but look at what happens when there is over the top outrage at some perceived slight from a mega chain restaurant. Look at the damage a group like PETA can cause. Boycotts can and do work, but not when so many people blindly claim allegiance to a party. I still think there is a way to reduce the influence of money, but I also believe we lack national will to do so.
Rand Paul's campaign is in big trouble:
Deletehttp://www.businessinsider.com/polls-rand-paul-debate-iowa-new-hampshire-2015-8
That's a pretty tough article. His exchanges did not look comfortable with Trump or Christie, while conversely, they seemed to enjoy dismissing him with the kind of snark that both are used to dishing out everyday. I still contend that years of media bashing is having a lot to do with it. Paul has some principled positioned, Christie and Trump have persona. Persona is completely carrying the day right now.
DeleteThe election is like 450 days away. Absolutely nothing is set.
ReplyDeleteWait, what!?!?!?!?!? Are you trying to tell me that the future of all humanity will NOT be decided on how well somebody eats something on a stick in Iowa?
DeleteI do NOT like what I am hearing.
Idk. Just read an article. Trump told a kid he's Batman. May be in the bag already ...
Delete