Wells Hall Off Topic Board

And you just figured this out?

Agreed.

There aren't. There's no way to fix human nature.

You can only put so much lipstick on a pig. The system is doing what it was designed to do. The corporations have cornered the market and the system is working out beautifully for them. That's where the power problem is. These 'elected officials' are unofficial board members of the largest.

We need to get back to the Constitution? Elaborate?

Edits..

It's not about getting back to the Constitution whatever that means. It's about taking the influence of money through special interests out of the picture.

It isn't the government that is telling people how to run their lives, it's Big Business. Big Business has interfered in society to such a level that everyone blames the government for the interference Big Business inflicts. Big Business has determined that it, and it alone knows what is best and that individuals exist only to serve it. By controlling the media and the message Big Business has been able to convince a lot of people that the government is responsible for the actions of Big Business. And you are one of the suckers who believe it.

Bob, I don't know if I am going to vote. The theme of this thread is that all politicians are corrupt and power hungry. That we can't trust Dems or Reps, they are both the same. We need a third party that will attempt to reduce the power, influence and size of the government. I guess, in the meantime, I will look to see which candidates (if any, if they aren't lying) believe in limited government. I have a lot of research yet to do to answer your question. There are a lot of lies and meaningless issues (war on women, gay marriage, etc) to wade through to find out anything.

What's unfortunately sad is that you act like this is a recent phenomenon. It's not. It's been around since the founding of this country. And your vague thing of "going back to the Constitution" won't accomplish what you think it will. You're forgetting that a vast majority (over 80%) of the federally elected officials held local and/or state elected positions prior to Congress. Where do you think their "base" comes from?

To take special interests out is actually basically going to have to require some sort of Constitutional Amendment that applies all the way down to local offices.

And I do agree with the OP, doesn't matter which side of the aisle they come from, the longer they stay in politics the more corrupt they become.

I disagree 100%. There are people who are there to represent their constituents first and foremost. It's those who desire to rise through the ranks of leadership who are the corrupt ones. Those who are happy to remain as backbenchers who only care about what is best for their districts are usually able to avoid corruption.

Show me in the constitution where it says the federal government has the authority to take money from one citizen and give it to another?

Dude, I am tired of your insults. What do you hope to accomplish by them? Do you feel that they bolster your argument?

I have offered in the past to meet you in person to see if you are man enough to insult me to my face. Clearly you are not. If you are not willing to say these things to my face, then don't hide behind your keyboard and say them.

I don't think he's taken government yet - that's usually not until the senior year of HS. He'll learn then.

Article I, Section 8, Clause 1. Read it sometime. It's pretty good. In particular: "The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises."

And yes, I'll gladly discuss your lack of knowledge to your face, though since I'm 6-4 you'll probably need to get on a stepladder considering the Napoleonic complex your display around here.