The GOP: Who Needs Any Priority — Not Us

Going Against the Public: A Game of Chance for the GOP...



What the public wants vs. What the GOP thinks the public wants??? The public clearly says we need jobs; yet those in office say they want to stay in power. What a deal, right!!!

We see and hear it all the time from the GOP and deeply-entrenched incumbents: "Do it for the American people;" or "Let's do it for the children;" or "It's for our future;" yada yada, yap yap, etc. and so forth. And, we fall for it over and over again - why, I wonder.

Do those we send to office really know what is good or best for the public? I hardly think so and the dismal record of this Congress underscores that point as the above chart clearly shows, and thanks to the Rachel Maddow Show. In this excellent 17-minute clip we can clearly see the GOP's priorities vs. what the public wants. Added to that disconnect on the GOP's part is the this idea of "year-long or permanent campaigns to win or stay in office." It speaks volumes about the state of our electoral process especially in light of the GOP moves to curtail or slow down or just downright suppress voter and their rights at the polls and all just in time for the 2012 season (which may be getting a boost to start next month or so). But, that remains to be seen.

The issue of what the public wants and indeed needs (jobs and a much better employment picture) vs. the moves the GOP makes 180° in the opposite direction is very worrisome. What are the solutions?

•  Some advocate for term limits, which I am against for many reasons, but even with term limits the basic question of the massive amounts of money in these now shortened campaigns would not be solved. The same huge amounts of money would still come from the powerful interests to get a few in office for a shorter period of time to do the same amount of damage - nothing gained there except more of same we see now.

•  I and many others advocate for public financing of all Federal elections. Let the people have the input (money), control the process (their votes and not the massive amounts of money), and benefit from the outcome (the candidates they want to represent them).

Two good sources to visit on this last point are here from the Brennan Center for Justice  and here from Public Campaign.  Both address fair elections, clean elections, and less-expensive elections that would benefit the public.

The point is this: what we have tried in the past that was working (to some degree) has all been erased by that awful Citizens United (5-4) ruling last year that took the lid off of big money and opened up the flood gates. More that from Common Cause here and from Open Secrets here.  

More later, I am sure. Stop back by.