Bill Moyers:The Bare Knuckle Fight Against Money in Politics, How Public Power Can Defeat Plutocrats

[jakeXT]

http://vimeo.com/111816229

In this turbulent midterm election year, two academics decided to practice what they preached. They left the classroom, confronted the reality of down-and-dirty politics, and tried to replace moneyed interests with the public interest.

Neither was successful – this year, at least – but on this week’s show, Bill talks with them about their experiences and the hard-fought lessons learned about the state of American democracy.

http://billmoyers.com/episode/bare-knuckle-fight-money-politics/

http://vimeo.com/112467851

Government has become a clearinghouse for corporations and plutocrats with deep pockets to buy the politicians who grease the wheels for lucrative contracts and easy regulation. It’s all pay for play, and look the other way.

According to the watchdog Sunlight Foundation, from 2007 to 2012, 200 corporations spent almost $6 billion in Washington on lobbying and campaign contributions. And they received more than $4 trillion in government contracts and other forms of assistance. Now that the midterm elections are over, it’s payback time, with the newly elected Congress ready to deliver to those who invested well in their chosen candidates.

http://billmoyers.com/episode/full-show-public-power-can-defeat-plutocrats/

[handmade34]

1. rec n/t

[daleanime]

2. K&R....

[redruddyred]

3. even volunteers like myself figure this one out right quick.

we need publicly-funded elections.

[Thespian2]

4. When

does the revolution start? All they understand is power and money. Voting will never take those two things away from them.

[Jackpine Radical]

14. So, is Canuckistan kicking in with us?

[Thespian2]

15. I hope so.

If Canucks have the balls to rid this country of Harper.

[Jackpine Radical]

16. yes, these right-wingers are becoming an international plague.

You guys aren't as far down the rabbit hole as we are, and some European countries aren't as far down as you are, but the international robber barons are slowly sucking everyone in. They'll be going after your health care system next, maybe. We really need to unite internationally to see to the needs of the 99%.

[Thespian2]

17. You

are absolutely correct. The problems are global.

[Jackpine Radical]

18. And therefore the solutions must be.

[Enthusiast]

5. Kicked and recommended!

These two have it nailed. But we already knew. We are living the effects of this influx of money in elections. It will ultimately ruin the nation.

[90-percent]

6. Very good discussion of the root cause of the horror that is modern American middle class life

It brings to mind something Chris Hedges has said, having covered Eastern European revolutions for the New York Times, he observed that all it takes to trigger a revolution is for 1% of the population to be involved and active in the government.

My poorly worded point is that we can effect change, but we must stay engaged and involved, instead of discouraged.

THE OLIGARCHS REALLY TRULY WANT ALL OF US TO BE ALIENATED AND DISCONNECTED FROM THE POLITICAL PROCESS!

Based on the record low voter turn out in the mid terms, I would say their plan is working quite nicely for them.


-90% Jimmy

[mountain grammy]

8. Yes, they really truly do, and it IS working..

[Martin Eden]

7. Bookmarked for later

[colsohlibgal]

9. Love Zephyr Teachout!

Her enthusiasm and smarts are what we need from the populist side. She's going places. Lessig I think is mistaken in some of his optimism, at least for the short term, I'm with Moyers, we're up against it in the short term.

[zeemike]

10. K&R n/t

[cantbeserious]

11. The Oligarchs, Corporations And Banks Own And Control The Politicians That Own And Control Us

eom

[demwing]

12. Co-Pin of the Week!

Congrats on the great post, it will stay pinned till next weekend!

[sabrina 1]

13. 4 Trillion of our Tax Dollars in exchange for $6 Billion. That's quite a deal for both of them. The

Corporations definitely get their money's worth, and the Elected Officials don't spend a dime to give them what they want, OUR MONEY.

These facts need to be condensed and put on campaign fliers around the country with the NAMES of the DEALERS who are running for office and the money they are taking and from whom right next to their photos.

This is obscene and the number one issue that just be addressed before anything else can be.

[merrily]

19. Reality Check.

Money, including foreign money, has been in US politics since forever, long before Citizens' United.

Before Citizen's United, Congress had every opportunity to enact legislation to get money out of politics and the result of that was McCain Feingold--totally voluntary and something that not even McCain obeyed to the letter.

After Citizen's United, people are proposing an amendment to the Constitution which does nothing but put the power back in the hands of Congress, which did little to nothing to take money out of politics. Even if the amendment were great, it would never pass Congress. If it did pass Congress, it would not get ratified. No constitutional amendment that was even mildly controversial has been ratified since the Eisenhower years.

Look at history. There is no easy way to defeat the plutocrats.