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Originally posted by uneek222
Attack the corporates. If we can stop, or at least severely limit the power corporates have in politics, thus halting these "sweet offers" to line politicians pockets, then maybe the power hungry individuals, those who take office for the sole intention of becoming rich and powerful, will seek private enterprise and leave the governing to those who are truly concerned about the "people" more than they are about their "pockets".
Originally posted by ArbitraryGuy
I think the key here is social ownership of the means of production. The factories, stores, shops, schools and firms should be owned by the workers, who can then hire/elect managers from among themselves to run the companies (supervised by an enlighened central committee, which keeps everything in check and collective profits to develop new firms).
Originally posted by In nothing we trust
There is no production in America anymore.
Originally posted by forestlady
Great thread, Rockpuck, thanks and I think you've got some great points. I have always been a strong believer in the Constituiion and the Bill of Rights. I think that if we could just follow it, we'd all be in good shape. However, the powers that be seem to have forgotten their oath to support and protect the Constitution. Instead, corruption has set in. I don't know if democracy is workable or not, but I do think it's the best form of govt we have, even though it's not perfect. I think the problem in America is that we've turned away from democracy. That and the natural tendency for humans to be power-grabbing and dishonest when given a little power.
I like the idea of a democratic socioCapitolist govt. The person who suggested that made some good points. I wouldn't mind giving up half my paycheck to pay for roads, universal health care for all Americans, etc. We would have a better country with more opportunity for everyone.
I don't have a problem with a democratic govt, but I do think that capitolism isn't the best system. It needs to have some controls, laissez faire capitolism just doesn't work and that's a big reason why we are where we are now.
Originally posted by risitar
I heard that the U.S. needs a cool $1 trillion for water infrastructure improvements. Of course the same can also be said about the roadways as a report on the NBC Nightly News can attest. The same actually isn't yet for Canada as the last sebastion of infficiency that is the west coast is currently being fixed in accordance with the Winter Oylmpics. I guess if the Japan expiriment is any indication of what shouldn't be done, than nothing is worse than over spending on public works as it is a big no, no.
Originally posted by iori_komei
-We give a single man power over the country.
Originally posted by iori_komei
-We don't have term limits for senators.
Originally posted by iori_komei
-We make it where if you want to campaign you have to pay
for it yourself, which inevitably leads to corporate corruption.
Originally posted by iori_komei
-The majority of things are privatized when they should be onwed
and run by the government.
Originally posted by iori_komei
-We allow corporations to get massively huge.
You have voted Rockpuck for the
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Originally posted by Rockpuck
all men will do anything for money.
Originally posted by Rockpuck
The one with the money then controls all men.
Originally posted by Rockpuck
Corporations funding political campaigns adds to this by the simple fact that they expect something in return, and to get their money you must do as they want, not as the people want.
Originally posted by Rockpuck
If all political campaigns where given a strict budget of tax dollars to deal with that EVERY canidate use, even third parties, and must present a real-time display of their finacial situation (what they spent it on and where and why and for what purpose) that would indeed end alot of corruption.
Originally posted by Rockpuck
Term limits for Senetors because those in power for to long build a base for that power, become unmoveable and inbed with corporations.
Thankfully though, I am not foreign to this world, and as are many of the readers of this conversation. I still say you have yet to present a thesis at all which gives your reasoning towards the purity of governement, its removal from the faults and consequences of man. For I would enjoy to know when such a thing happened.
Originally posted by Rockpuck
No, I think we are past the stage where anyone could collectively own the corporations like you are talking about. There is the stock market that allows us to collectively own small portions of corporations, though you have to be very wealthy to own a significant share.
I also do not think the government will ever be reformed, it will have to be overthrown and while I disagree with the government we are not at that point yet.
If our government or the people as a whole since the people are supposed to control the government owned things like power plants, hospitals, clinics, drug companies.. anything essential to the American people just imagine how much that alone would cut back corruption, though there will always be someone stealing money from it. Much like our financial system that needs to be changed, we cannot have this debt anymore, we hand money out like candy. How many billions has the Pentagon lost now?