Ruling by the Supremes

[John Kowalski]

Since getting elected in the US is tied very closely to how much money a candidate can raise, as compared to the candidate's opponent, and with this new ruling by the supreme court which will allow corporations and other organizations to pour even more money into an already bloated process, perhaps Americans should not have elections, instead they should auctions; instead of voting, they should count the money raised by each candidate, the one with the most money wins. This is pretty well what has been happening anyways.

[Ed Jewett]

Yes, John... w.g., Massey has been buying judges in the coal wars in WV.

It's been said, too, that all politicians should be required to wear suits like race car drivers with the decals of their sponsors.




"Employees of corporations are handling sensitive government responsibilities in the Intelligence Community, including analytical products that are incorporated into our nation’s most important and sensitive document, the President’s Daily Brief. Thanks to outsourcing, for-profit companies have the American president’s ear on a daily basis and their words carry the weight of the combined intelligence agencies of the United States. The possibilities for manipulating politics on a global scale are unprecedented and chilling.

The President’s Daily Brief is a summary and analysis of national security issues that requires the President’s immediate attention and that the National Intelligence Director presents to the President each morning.
Across the board, US government intelligence agencies are now highly dependent upon the staff of companies for critical national security functions. Corporate intelligence professionals from companies such as Lockheed, Raytheon, Booz Allen Hamilton, SAIC and others are thoroughly integrated into analytical divisions throughout the Intelligence Community, including the Office of the Director of National Intelligence which produces the final document of the President’s Daily Briefing, based upon analytical products created by the Intelligence Community. It would be hard to find an analytical product that does not have contractor involvement in some way, shape, or form."

[Magda Hassan]

Yes, John, I've always been gobsmacked at the amount of money wasted in elections in the US, though I am sure it is seen as a good investment by those paying, and it seems to amount to purchasing the office in much the same way as one would purchase a rank in the military in the old days :ridinghorse: (or maybe still?) It is clear that there needs to be major overhaul of elections funding. No donations by individuals or organisations. Equal public funding and air time for all candidates.

But the position of corporate personhood has wide ranging appalling ramifications for all of society. I recommend everyone watch 'The Corporation' if you haven't already done so. It is available in our DPF You Tube channel.

[Peter Lemkin]

The Supreme Court hasn't changed much in the last 225 odd years: "Those who own the country ought to govern it." - John Jay, 1st Chief Justice U.S., 1787 hot:

[Bruce Clemens]

It's not just a U.S.issue. If I remember my business courses at all, the corporation is an internationally recognized creation that removes personal liability from the people making decisions. Now it's the fault of the "corporate entity" if something turns out smelly. "Corporate assets" can be seized, corporations "punished" while the real, living, breathing individuals calling the shots get away unscathed. Sometimes even getting bonuses!

We willingly accept statements such as "The U.S. and Pakistan are having high level talks..." without a thought...We should be interpreting that as "A few people with massive power (maybe elected, maybe not) from the U.S. and Pakistan are deciding the fate of millions of others with or without their consent..."

In the same vein the now universal acceptance of corporate entities allows them to be thought of as the responsible parties in decisions that affect us all- removing and isolating the real individuals behind them.


This conversation brought to mind another thread I recalled going through some time ago:

http://www.deeppoliticsforum.com/forums/...bradstreet

...where it was brought out that individuals can be legally made into corporations! Alice in Wonderland, it is...

[Magda Hassan]

That's right Bruce, corporate personhood is not just as US problem it is global and that was an extremely interesting thread wasn't it? Seeing is believing.

[Peter Lemkin]

Since getting elected in the US is tied very closely to how much money a candidate can raise, as compared to the candidate's opponent, and with this new ruling by the supreme court which will allow corporations and other organizations to pour even more money into an already bloated process, perhaps Americans should not have elections, instead they should auctions; instead of voting, they should count the money raised by each candidate, the one with the most money wins. This is pretty well what has been happening anyways.

on eBay?:bandit:

[Jan Klimkowski]

The writer Ambrose Bierce's definition was as relevant in 1911 as it is in 2010:

Corporation, n. An ingenious device for obtaining individual profit without individual responsibility.

[John Kowalski]

Magda, I saw The Corporation, excellent documentary on the psychopathic nature of corporations and I too would recommend it to anyone who has not already seen it.

Is there no end to the relentless pursuit of power that Corporate America seeks? Perhaps their ultimate goal is to overturn every piece of legislation that forces them to act in a decent and humane manner.

[John Kowalski]

Since getting elected in the US is tied very closely to how much money a candidate can raise, as compared to the candidate's opponent, and with this new ruling by the supreme court which will allow corporations and other organizations to pour even more money into an already bloated process, perhaps Americans should not have elections, instead they should auctions; instead of voting, they should count the money raised by each candidate, the one with the most money wins. This is pretty well what has been happening anyways.

on eBay?:bandit:

Why not, it will save the voters, I mean the bidders, a lot of time and the government a lot of money. eBay will be happy too, they can get a cut on every auction, soon eBay lobbyists will be lobbying the congress to reduce the congressional term from two years to one.