Nationwide Wireless Broadband

[Balta1701]

Man, what the f*** can be done without government saving us all?

If the private sector would do something other than screwing us all over constantly...

[Texsox]

Man, what the f*** can be done without government saving us all?

 

The government is us; we are the government, you and I.

 

Theodore Roosevelt

[Y2HH]

The government is us; we are the government, you and I.

 

Theodore Roosevelt

 

Only not you.

 

Nor I.

 

I don't get free airfare anywhere I want to go, endless perks, limo rides, etc...all while making 150K a year...with guaranteed pension and healthcare for as long as I live.

 

So please, save it.

[NorthSideSox72]

Only not you.

 

Nor I.

 

I don't get free airfare anywhere I want to go, endless perks, limo rides, etc...all while making 150K a year...with guaranteed pension and healthcare for as long as I live.

 

So please, save it.

I think the underlying point is important. The fact is, much of the blame for the current state of affairs in government rests with us, the voters. And most voters are relatively ignorant. That is part of the problem, and its not about party.

 

 

[Y2HH]

I think the underlying point is important. The fact is, much of the blame for the current state of affairs in government rests with us, the voters. And most voters are relatively ignorant. That is part of the problem, and its not about party.

 

I have no doubt about that, and I agree 100%.

 

But somewhere along the line, our government officials went from being public servants to rock stars that live the high life, and make big big money while doing it, not to mention getting set for life after the job just because they were voted in to serve the public, which seems very few even do anymore.

 

I think that saying was once true...but it's not anymore.

[StrangeSox]

What's there to do when both private enterprise and the government suck ass?

[NorthSideSox72]

I have no doubt about that, and I agree 100%.

 

But somewhere along the line, our government officials went from being public servants to rock stars that live the high life, and make big big money while doing it, not to mention getting set for life after the job just because they were voted in to serve the public, which seems very few even do anymore.

 

I think that saying was once true...but it's not anymore.

The biggest reason for this happening is the campaign game. The best way to reform this situation is campaign finance reform. Politicians at the higher levels, to get elected, end up in too many pockets.

 

I actually don't mind a US Senator making 150k with good benefits - someone in that role SHOULD be compensated well. I don't think that's really the problem. The other 500k in side benefits from contributors is a bigger problem... and the millions in campaign money that has promises attached is even bigger than that.

 

[NorthSideSox72]

What's there to do when both private enterprise and the government suck ass?

Start a company.

 

Sell it.

 

Use the money to run for office.

 

Sell it.

 

Lecture tour, charity work, retirement.

 

[Y2HH]

What's there to do when both private enterprise and the government suck ass?

 

As Alfred Pennyworth told Batman in TDK, -- "Endure."

[Balta1701]

What's there to do when both private enterprise and the government suck ass?

Step 1: Kill all the lobbyists

Step 2: Re-build a competent regulatory apparatus that is not completely designed by the telecom lobby

[Y2HH]

The biggest reason for this happening is the campaign game. The best way to reform this situation is campaign finance reform. Politicians at the higher levels, to get elected, end up in too many pockets.

 

I actually don't mind a US Senator making 150k with good benefits - someone in that role SHOULD be compensated well. I don't think that's really the problem. The other 500k in side benefits from contributors is a bigger problem... and the millions in campaign money that has promises attached is even bigger than that.

 

If all they were making (and I don't belittle 150k as "all"), but if that's all they were making, I'd be fine with it...but they're not. They have pensions that continue to pay them that for the rest of their lives, they have healthcare/dentalcare packages that not even I, working for Blue Cross can come near to getting -- if mine is a Cadillac plan, what they have is akin to a Bugatti plan.

 

Not to mention the free limo use, the free jet use, parties, etc...all of which the taxpayers pick up the tab for.

 

I have a problem with all of that.

[Balta1701]

The 2010 Health Care reform act will actually require members of Congress to purchase their insurance plans from the health care exchange individual market.

[NorthSideSox72]

Step 1: Kill all the lobbyists

Step 2: Re-build a competent regulatory apparatus that is not completely designed by the telecom lobby

Lobbyists aren't the problem. There should be lobbyists, they are an integral part of the system.

 

The problem is the rules and laws that allow them to control everything.

 

[Balta1701]

Lobbyists aren't the problem. There should be lobbyists, they are an integral part of the system.

 

The problem is the rules and laws that allow them to control everything.

You get the point though. When AT&T gets to write the rules, they're going to write rules that favor whatever AT&T is doing right then and there and make it so that AT&T doesn't have to spend money to keep up with competition. AT&T just used as an example because I'm really annoyed with them right now.

[southsider2k5]

Lobbyists aren't the problem. There should be lobbyists, they are an integral part of the system.

 

The problem is the rules and laws that allow them to control everything.

 

Then again if any of our public officials had any ethics or integrity, the lobbyists wouldn't matter. It was our politicians that created this system, not vice versa. If their votes weren't for sale, all of the money in the world wouldn't have an effect.

[Balta1701]

Then again if any of our public officials had any ethics or integrity, the lobbyists wouldn't matter. It was our politicians that created this system, not vice versa. If their votes weren't for sale, all of the money in the world wouldn't have an effect.

The real problem is...if a pol who's vote isn't for sale goes up against a pol who's vote is for sale...the pol with integrity is very, very likely to lose his or her seat to the person willing to sell out to the highest bidder, because the sell-out is going to be vastly better-funded. You don't sell out, your campaign is at a huge disadvantage.

[southsider2k5]

The real problem is...if a pol who's vote isn't for sale goes up against a pol who's vote is for sale...the pol with integrity is very, very likely to lose his or her seat to the person willing to sell out to the highest bidder, because the sell-out is going to be vastly better-funded. You don't sell out, your campaign is at a huge disadvantage.

 

That is just it. We can't find 535 people whose integrity is more important than money. If we could, none of that other stuff would matter.

[Balta1701]

That is just it. We can't find 535 people whose integrity is more important than money. If we could, none of that other stuff would matter.

Incorrect. We could probably find them easily, but they'd lose their elections to better-funded candidates.

[southsider2k5]

Incorrect. We could probably find them easily, but they'd lose their elections to better-funded candidates.

 

Only because that is the system the politicians set up. Honestly this is just like the viacom article you posted yesterday about crying about something and then doing the exact thing behind closed doors. Blaming lobbyists is lame because if these people hadn't made it a "requirement" to take money from lobbyists, they wouldn't have to do it.

[Balta1701]

I posted something about Viacom yesterday?

[southsider2k5]

I posted something about Viacom yesterday?

 

Eh, it was strangesox. Sorry. I lose track.

[StrangeSox]

Eh, it was strangesox. Sorry. I lose track.

 

[Balta1701]

Maybe if this nation had better broadband speeds, you would have been able to check beforehand.

[Balta1701]

One other serious point in reply...it's interesting to compare 2k5's statement that this is the system the politicians have set up to the reality of how this system was developed...for a great example, we can look at Justice Roberts's recent evisceration of corporate campaign finance restrictions in the Citizens United decision.

[southsider2k5]

One other serious point in reply...it's interesting to compare 2k5's statement that this is the system the politicians have set up to the reality of how this system was developed...for a great example, we can look at Justice Roberts's recent evisceration of corporate campaign finance restrictions in the Citizens United decision.

 

And yet this system was in place loooooooooooooooong before the Supreme Court opened the door for CORPORATIONS and unions to have more influence in elections.