NLBS: 3.05 American Politics Is Screwed: But It's Not What You Think

originally posted by: zacherystaylor
Until we rely much more on alternative media outlets and paying attention to grassroots candidates that the media refuses to cover then we won't have democracy.

Whom do you suggest?

Where is a viable "grass roots" this cycle?

There's just as much crazy in the "third party" pool as there is in the mainstream pool.

The last time we had a viable third party contender was Ross Perot.

originally posted by: SkepticOverlord

originally posted by: zacherystaylor
Until we rely much more on alternative media outlets and paying attention to grassroots candidates that the media refuses to cover then we won't have democracy.

Whom do you suggest?

Where is a viable "grass roots" this cycle?

There's just as much crazy in the "third party" pool as there is in the mainstream pool.

The last time we had a viable third party contender was Ross Perot.

Ross Perot was just another billionaire buying his way into the spotlight.

Right now the closest thing to a viable candidate seems to be Bernie Sanders but even he needs to be accountable to the grassroots he's asking to help him even after the election. If not him then the best choice seems to be Jill Stein. But regardless of who wins we need more educational efforts at the grassroots level ballot initiatives instant run-off proportionate representation and media reform among other things.

We need an enormous amount of small contributing solutions.

originally posted by: zacherystaylor
If not him then the best choice seems to be Jill Stein.

She looses me fast with her "Jobs As A Right" platform. Too deep into euphoric socialism that relies on everyone being an euphoric socialist.

originally posted by: SkepticOverlord

originally posted by: zacherystaylor
If not him then the best choice seems to be Jill Stein.

She looses me fast with her "Jobs As A Right" platform. Too deep into euphoric socialism that relies on everyone being an euphoric socialist.

I like most of her agenda but if you don't you'll still be better off supporting an alternative candidate than accepting the same lesser of two evils choice they try to convince us to fall for every damn time.

The thing is, it doesn't matter what the people think/want.

Even if 100% -- every single voting American -- agreed on creating a new holiday for veterans, it would have about 20% chance of becoming public policy.

Even if 0% (not one American) wanted rename Yellowstone Park to "Fun Geyser Park" -- it too would still have a 20% of becoming public policy.

Congress does whatever its paid to do, and the POTUS is simply a figurehead.

Bernie wouldn't raise the minumm wage unless congress was paid to do it by corporations and wealthy elites.

Carson won't turn America into a theocracy unless congress is paid to do so by corporations and wealth elites.

Hillary won't reform Wall street regulation unless congress is paid to do so by corporations and wealthy elites.

Trump won't get anywhere with immigration reform unless congress is paid to do so by corporations and wealthy elites.

We, the voting Americans have zero influence on what our federal government does. Public opinion, and the votes we cast do not shape the policies pushed by congress and the POTUS in DC.

originally posted by: MystikMushroom
The thing is, it doesn't matter what the people think/want.

Even if 100% -- every single voting American -- agreed on creating a new holiday for veterans, it would have about 20% chance of becoming public policy.

Even if 0% (not one American) wanted rename Yellowstone Park to "Fun Geyser Park" -- it too would still have a 20% of becoming public policy.

Congress does whatever its paid to do, and the POTUS is simply a figurehead.

Bernie wouldn't raise the minumm wage unless congress was paid to do it by corporations and wealthy elites.

Carson won't turn America into a theocracy unless congress is paid to do so by corporations and wealth elites.

Hillary won't reform Wall street regulation unless congress is paid to do so by corporations and wealthy elites.

Trump won't get anywhere with immigration reform unless congress is paid to do so by corporations and wealthy elites.

We, the voting Americans have zero influence on what our federal government does. Public opinion, and the votes we cast do not shape the policies pushed by congress and the POTUS in DC.

I think you are missing something here. Votes are cast by individuals, not corporations. If every single American wanted something done, it'd get done. The problem is Americans tend to have a "oh, you first" approach. Too many sheep and not enough shepherds.

originally posted by: scorpio84
I think you are missing something here.

Unfortunately, I think it's you who missed the important points.

Congress is in control of what little actually gets done, and in full control of what doesn't get done. With that in mind, corporations and billionaires control congress.

Votes are cast by individuals, not corporations.

Votes are bought by corporations and billionaires thanks to the citizens united ruling.

If every single American wanted something done, it'd get done.

That's just not true, and has never been true. An illusion has been crafted to promote the notion that it could be true.

The number of Americans that wanted involvement in the Korea and Vietnam wars was astonishingly small... yet there we were.

The number of Americans that want better roads, airports, and bridges is astonishingly large... yet here we are.


We are in a corporatocracy, and have been since the 1950's.

originally posted by: burdman30ott6
a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan

C'mon man, the "attack" on Clinton was mocking the Republican assault on her and you cannot even call his sarcastic comments on the popular criticisms of Bernie Sanders an "attack" on Sanders. That's about as disingenuous as a Patriots' fan sarcastically commenting on Brady's deflated balls...

Well...if i am being honest....it may be that Joe's political views align more closely with mine. I can cop to that.

But the whole Bernie thing boils down to his socialist leanings. You know how much the populace loves single phrased soundbites.

Thus, Ted Cruz is a "science denier" (despite actually being intelligent....which has always puzzled me, too)

originally posted by: SkepticOverlord
Congress is in control of what little actually gets done, and in full control of what doesn't get done. With that in mind, corporations and billionaires control congress.

This can be a massive problem, though. Look at what happened with the *ahem* Affordable Care Act. The stated goals of the new Obama administration, combined with an effective Democratic supermajority in Congress, essentially mandated the largest corporate give away in history directly to the insurance companies. Who is paying for that debacle? How about all of the wasted money given to pie-in-the-sky corps like Solyndra? While it may appear identical from 1,000 miles up, when you really look into it, the left side of the aisle sell their souls to corporations to push liberal agenda items like AGW fear mongering based taxes and give away, socialized programs which effectively pay a bunch of Americans on the dole AND pay corporate America at the same time, all straight out of the solid middle class' pocket. Being entirely pragmatic here, Republicans may very well pander to corporations, BUT since they only pander financially to one side of the coin, it costs those of us in the middle half as much money as the liberal pandering does.

Bush raised the debt by nearly $6 Trillion. Half of that was directly tied to two events: 9/11 and the second Iraq War. Now, putting all of the ridiculous BS related to "9/11 was an inside job" nonsense aside, I'd make the argument that the debt increases directly tied to 9/11 shouldn't be held too strongly against Bush, just as the debt increases DIRECTLY tied to the Great Recession shouldn't be held too strongly against Obama. Speaking of which, Obama is not up to $9 Trillion debt increase. Military spending under him has gone up, social spending has skyrocketed, and then you have all of the "taxes which aren't really called taxes" to contend with such as the ACA and the numerous policies to cripple resource development, energy production, and industry.

Here's the choice: Go with the modern GOP and struggle uphill, making little ground. OR Go with the Democrats and try to climb the same hill only with 100 million non-self climbers strapped to your back which you're expected to drag up the hill with you in exchange for them casting their votes for their Great Provider Party.

It is crap.

a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan

Despite cursing more than Joe, having longer hair, and a wilder beard than Joe has, I believe our political views are polar opposite of each other in all but one or two major issues (Though I honestly do like Joe and think he's clearly a good guy, smart, and witty). That may well be clouding my views here, but I've watched the Democrat section of this video 3 times now and I'm seeing sarcastic whining about criticisms thrown at Sanders and Clinton, not any actual criticism of either from Joe.

originally posted by: burdman30ott6
but I've watched the Democrat section of this video 3 times now and I'm seeing sarcastic whining about criticisms thrown at Sanders and Clinton, not any actual criticism of either from Joe.

Maybe chalk it up to Clinton Fatigue. We did a lot of research on a show devoted to her, and it's still a moving target, so we postponed.

There's a lot of fundamental points on where we agree with liking Bernie... but he has no more chance than fringe third party candidates, even if Hillary goes to jail.

What is BS is people quoting Ciitzens United when it CLEARLY says something else entirely.

The United States Supreme Court held that the First Amendment 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.

Citzen United

How about politicians stop being for sale based on their ideology ?

How bout that ?

How about the PEOPLE stop being for sale while were at it ?

The only difference is who is doing the BUYING.

Them evil corporations which most people don't like.

The PEOPLE buying politicians.

UNIONS buying politicians.

That is where the BS is.

In this country EVERYONE is for sale.

The kicker is politicians created FIAT money that everyone just loves to argue over, and gets to create taxes when ever they feel froggie.

And just loves to use as wedge issues to keep the masses fighting between themselves. Then point the finger at someone else.

Love or hate American politics.

BS is all it is.

What to know only difference between the right, and left ?

None.

a reply to: neo96

Amen, World-wide

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

Congress is in control of what little actually gets done, and in full control of what doesn't get done.

In other words, according to you, Congress holds all the power, right?

With that in mind, corporations and billionaires control congress.

Wait, what? Is Congress in control or are the corporations and billionaires in control? Also, are we forgetting the other two branches of government or just saying they are there for show and nothing more?

That's just not true, and has never been true. An illusion has been crafted to promote the notion that it could be true.

Perhaps we have different definitions of "every single American?" Would you agree that if the billionaires and people running mega-corporations wanted something done, it would happen? I would include those people along with "every single American." Unless, of course - you are talking of Congress doing the will of foreign billionaires and corporate owners over the wishes of its own citizens?

We are in a corporatocracy, and have been since the 1950's.

Hard to argue with that one. What about a bankrocracy?

originally posted by: the2ofusr1
a reply to: theNLBS

No matter how little Americans could, or would vote for any candidate they will end up with the same old BS POTUS . They will be just another puppet like all the others . The rest of the world is knowing and laughing at what turns out to be "your" choice .......go Bernie go :>)

Bernie is their guy. He has already been slotted as the next president. He will continue what Bush and Obama began. The package is the exact same one they sold us on Obama 7 years ago.

I thought this NLBS was well done and balanced.
You can tell when both sides get pissed.

I don't have a side. Some things are obvious,
Bernie is the most people friendly by far and
there is money. Money enough to construct public schools
in gold if the MIC is audited.
If a transaction tax is implemented on Wall Street, we can have
free college or vocation ,24 karat Submarines and free local health clinics.
That's how much money those two sides keep for themselves.
But since the Dems are just the Human Resource dept
of the same Military Industrial Complex, it's lip service.

It's billionaires folks. We need to have a serious chat with the
minuscule 1800 billionaires on the planet. As a matter of fact
let's put all 1800 at rendition sites for a month and see
if the planet fares better.
Millionaires ? no problem, let's have as many as want to be.
But the Soros and Addleson's leech our blood sweat and tears.

I'm more for the spark lit by the best current "Americans "
on the planet the Ukrainians. The documentary
Winter on Fire shows exactly how hard unarmed people will actually fight
for their rights. Imagine if secret police tried to bust up an open carry
rally in Texas ?

The fact that this biased piece of # video is on the front page of ATS without earning it is further proof that this website has officially gone to #. After browsing here for around 5 years I can officially say that there is nothing left here. The website is roasted with ridiculous ads, the content is ruined by high-volume members whose post you can predict just after seeing their avatar, and the staff has let this NLBS stand out on the front page every single time I'm here.

It would be a bit different if these videos were actually good, but its just a bunch of faux-intellectual circle-jerk bull#. Not only does it buy into the left/right paradigm, it pulls so obviously for Bernie #ing Sanders. Nice front-page bias, if I wanted this kind of echo chamber I'd go on #ing reddit politics board.

ATS used to have its own direction, its own opinions, and actual interesting discussion. This topic and video is the amalgamation of everything that has gone wrong with this website over the past few years.

Unless I am accidentally linked to this site while researching something, I'm never coming back. Have a nice life everyone, and it was fun while it lasted here.

If he wasn't too old I'd vote for and advocate for someone like Henry Alfred Kissinger. I'd vote for me too.

After years of deep thought and research into a broad spectrum encompassing all topics, I have developed from a Constitutional Libertarian into the inevitable outcome : an Internationalist as I identify myself as a world citizen demanding a stronger global governance in order to protect human dignity and fundamental natural rights, ensure a free market, and hopefully control the population by either requiring a license to reproduce or turning 90% of the male population into astronauts permanently. Or both.

The Guidestones set a decent path to a better Earth society, but I'd add onto it and be more specific. Maybe I'll make a thread about it sometime?

Sadly most people reject this message due to ignorance, envy, fear or paranoia, etc.

I for one fully support world government based upon the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the two Covenants, and I'm very proud to say that. Might need a few Amendments though.

Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature.

Guide reproduction wisely — improving fitness and diversity.

Unite humanity with a living new language.

Rule passion — faith — tradition — and all things with tempered reason.

Protect people and nations with fair laws and just courts.

Let all nations rule internally resolving external disputes in a world court.

Avoid petty laws and useless officials

.Balance personal rights with social duties.

Prize truth — beauty — love — seeking harmony with the infinite.

Be not a cancer on the earth — Leave room for nature — Leave room for nature.

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

How's that for shaking things up?

I finally decided to contribute an overdue political opinion since my hermitage began years ago.

I could only Hope to have left you befuddled and bewildered, yet pleasantly surprised.

Just a Reminder Boys and Girls














a Roman Organized Government



Fascio
en.wikipedia.org...




Fasces
en.wikipedia.org...


Funny how thing go .. in Politics
yet people forget what behind the Podium On that DAM Wall

in the House of Representatives!


wasn't always like that,
The Facsi was always There
just a makeover through time.

The World is a business.