Election-Time Politics

[int]

Election-time politics: a whole bunch of assholes running around, acting like assholes.

Nobody ever admits their true underlying philosophies. I'd love to hear someone stand up and say "Hey, that presidential gig pays over a hundred grand a year, plus power. Damn, I gotta get me some of that."

I'd vote for them on principal alone.

Maybe I am with Jefferson, we oughta tear down this mess every few decades and start over.


"What a stupid world." - Propaghandi

[adamjaskie]

Is it not a good bit over 200 "big Gs" per annum? Although I do agree on the starting over thing, I do not know if we are QUITE at that point yet.

[Hunter]

I think the Presidential Salary is $250,000 a year, with no expenses like food or transportation. Not to mention Secret Service protection for the rest of your life. Because you know people want to assassinate people with no power.

There are, in my opinion, 3 big problems with our political system right now.

1. "Pork Barrel" Legislating

This is getting your stupid bill to pass by attatching things to it that no sane politician would vote against. Like feeding orphans or something of that sort. Then when they do vote against it, you can say they voted against it without mentioning it was attached to something evil, like say, the INDUCE Act. (For those of you unaware on what the INDUCE Act is, check out http://www.eff.org/ )

2. Special Interests and Corporate owned politicians.

Politicians get their campaign funds from Corporations and Special Interest Groups. They end up being more accountable to these groups than the people they represent. However, most of our country seems to be full of sheep who can't grasp the fact that these rich men with power do nothing for them.

3. Lack of Accountability

People running for office can make any promises they want. The only time they are ever held to them is when they're up for re-election. Then they usually come up with some piule of bullshit on how "these things take time, 12 more terms ought to do it" or "I was blocked at every opportunity" when really they were just catering to the people giving them money and not giving crap about the majority while they vote their own pay higher.




If you can't tell, I'm extremely disillusioned with our so-called Republic. Another 4 years of Bush could mean a Theological Oligarchy rather than a Republic....

[nobarcode]

The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies
In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain [George III] is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. ..............................
It's not the entire document and I'm sorry for the cut & paste job. I just think it's one of the most honest government documents ever written. And it seems fitting.
*edit* Highlighted by me.

http://www.archives.gov/national_archives_experience/charters/declaration.html

[Slider]

the president makes $400,000/year going into effect this next inauguration, I believe. and if you think politicians become politicians because of the money, you're morons. they could (and do) make loads more in the private sector. Prestige/power holds much more sway.

[int]

Um...that was kinda the point of the post. I may not have the numbers straight, but that small detail is irrelevant, considering plenty of people are motivated by money.

I was saying I'd like to see someone admit their true motivations for their political goals...it's not too complex.

[s]

the president makes $400,000/year going into effect this next inauguration, I believe. and if you think politicians become politicians because of the money, you're morons. they could (and do) make loads more in the private sector. Prestige/power holds much more sway.

The money on the table is alright, but...