It has started - the rush to disassociate with Jack Abramoff, the super-lobbyist. Suddenly, everyone in Washington, D.C. is getting a case of instant ethics. They will try to paint Abramoff as a rogue and a scoundrel and will swear they never met the man. They will talk about how the system needs reform and will introduce bills in both houses to "clean up the mess". And then after the smoke clears and the headlines go on to the next big thing, it will be business as usual.
This happens every 20 or 30 years when the corruption erupts from under the table to the streets of our capital. It will go on as long as power corrupts and money talks. Money IS power and you can't get one without the other. Want to get a message to your congressman or senator? Hire a lobbyist. Never mind that he or she is supposed to be representing us. Forget all that "For the people....." stuff. That's just for high school civics class. We know how it works, don't we?
So settle down in front of your TV and watch the circus. See politicians scramble to explain that golf trip to Bermuda or that new car. See them all on the Sunday talk shows playing the blame game and pointing fingers at each other. It would be funny if it were not so tragic.
Am I cynical? You bet. I've heard and seen it all before. If I live long enough I'll see it again. Excuse me - I think Im going to be sick........
Monday, January 09, 2006
Sunday, January 01, 2006
IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN
I've started out the new year by joining the Green Party. This is not to reject my Democrat friends who are earnestly trying to reform their party. I wish them well. I just cannot see my way through all the bullshit that has accumulated over the decades of corruption and infighting. I have lost heart for the eternal struggle that is the Democratic Party.
Why Green? A simple answer, really. They do not take corporate money. Period. That alone is enough to support them, but there are many other reasons. I'll not bore you with the details, but if you are interested, see their web page at www.gp.org.
I have no illusions about the Greens becoming a force in national politics anytime soon. They are still working at the grassroots local level, which is where you have to start. I know some people blame them for taking votes away from Democrats in recent elections, but you must ask yourself why so many people have lost trust with the two major parties. Until we divorce big corporate money from elections, we'll have only rich people or whores as candidates and we deserve so much more than that.
However you decide to do it, join the fight to save our country from the Grinches of the world. It's a country worth saving. Your grandchildren will thank you for it.
Happy New Year
Why Green? A simple answer, really. They do not take corporate money. Period. That alone is enough to support them, but there are many other reasons. I'll not bore you with the details, but if you are interested, see their web page at www.gp.org.
I have no illusions about the Greens becoming a force in national politics anytime soon. They are still working at the grassroots local level, which is where you have to start. I know some people blame them for taking votes away from Democrats in recent elections, but you must ask yourself why so many people have lost trust with the two major parties. Until we divorce big corporate money from elections, we'll have only rich people or whores as candidates and we deserve so much more than that.
However you decide to do it, join the fight to save our country from the Grinches of the world. It's a country worth saving. Your grandchildren will thank you for it.
Happy New Year
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