One law? One change? So many goals. Such a small ability to change with only one alteration. But I know what I’d like to do: stem the river of contributions into our elective political system that were forced open by the Supreme Court’s “Citizens United” decision. Supposedly, a restoration of First Amendment rights, it has allowed incorporated entities to flood campaigns with money.
The old saying is that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Well, money in nearly unlimited quantities is the lubricant of corruption. Need money for your primary win, raise money. Your opponent is flush with cash from Pacts and corporations; get some of your own. I’m from New York City, where the saying “ Money talks and bullshit walks” is popular. I can’t imagine a situation where a politician gets big money without ties attached to it. Remember, Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall were New York City institutions. You get what you pay for.
It might be far-fetched to say that all the ills of our current political situation spring from one decision. But when the powerful disproportionately direct the way things are run, the general populace gets the leavings.
For a bit of background on Tammany ( and the dawn of modern-day political corruption), read about it in the short book: Plunkett of Tammany Hall. It’s a memoir of a Tammany Tiger related to a New York City journalist. The link is to a Project Gutenberg e-book. It’s revealing, amusing and educational: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/2810/2810-h/2810-h.htm
Discover more from Louis N. Carreras, Woodcarver
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
That would be a helluva step in the right direction, Lou.
I would change the same law. Elections are bought which is one reason I toy with the idea of just not playing, but I will play, locally, anyway.
I’m with you 100% on this. I wonder when the buying of elections started and are we the only ones that do that. I know many countries use military force for election control. If this doesn’t stop soon, we will be there in short order.