You Can Take the Politicians Out of Politics But We Need to Keep the Candidates

I agree that not all lobbyist represent big business but lobbyist consume about half of each politicians day. There are plenty of Jack Abramoff's in Washington and they spend billions of dollars a year, none of which is designed to benefit average citizens. The "Energy Bill" of 2005 provided Oil Companies with lots of treats including an 8 billion dollar tax break. From 200-2005, the major oil companies made almost 500 billion in profits.

Also like you, I favor candidates who wish are interested in citizens as opposed to special interests.

I don't want to sound apathetic, but I don't feel our political system has worked in any way near what you are describing; ie: canditates who are listening to the majority of their constituents; for as many years as I have been able to vote. But
since it is the only game in town, I'm still playing.

Well my first suggestion is undoable, unless the pointless point party gets me nominated for the pointless president. That would be to ban all politicians from the face of the earth.

Now, sensibly I think we really ought to back to the old system, where the leaders elected the president in a back room. They argued out privately the pros and cons of the individuals and then agreed on a single candidate.

The system we have now is so completely insane, where you get twenty people running around like a pointless point frenzy, saying absolutely nothing and then having to have the people decide who the best candidate is.

Great article.. I tend to agree that politicians should want the job first and run for it.

I just... can't trust most politicians anymore. I start getting this starry-eyed hope and find out it was all a lie to get me to vote for them. It's like they figure out what people want to believe in most, say it to us, then get to office and do whatever they want anyhow.

I'm not a cynic or anything.

To elect a truely "populist" president, you have to find someone without a conflict of interest. These days,that is nearly impossible.-Norman

Cheryl R. uh...maybe you should read my thread again. It is opposite of what you think it is.

Norman yes....sad isnt it.

Ron that is the bad part of lobbiest. It takes big bucks to hire the good ones and anymore the small organizations that actually want to help people cant afford them.

Joe I like that idea. LOL

Lisa not a cynic just a realist that is what happens.

Sarah I agree.

Just vote republican....trust me.

Sorry Jeff. No thanks.

and a very good 2 cents it is too!

Seriously though, I think Bugs Bunny could do a heck of a better job than George Bush. LOL. :D

I do believe that some of these politicians got into the game for the right reasons. I just wonder when and where their ethics lost out to their ambition. Here's the question...Is it possible to become President in this country without sacrificing your principles (i.e. to the lobbyists, the party line, etc.)?

Elections with no candidates... sounds pretty idiotic to me.

Thanks Missy.

Julie thanks so much. You are the best.

Jamie you are probably very right. At least we would have humor in the White House. LOL

Jeff I have wondered about the same thing.

Devin my thoughts exactly.

So, I think that you just need to join Obama's campaign. : )

I recently received an email from Obama asking for a donation. The majority of the email was talking about how he refuses to accept donations from the lobbyists. He refuses to be bought out by big companies or other corrupt businesses. He would rather have 10,000 people donate $50. It was actually a very well-written email. And, I believe him. He'd rather have the movement started by the people because we have ownership of the movement. We will have the voice as to what is important to us and how it should be changed. He wants to keep it for the people.... The average people... He isn't obsessed with keeping Daddy and Daddy's friends happy. He isn't obsessed with big business. He is obsessed with the average person - like us.

I've copied and pasted a couple paragraphs from Barack Obama's email.

"Candidates typically spend a week like this -- right before the critical June 30th financial reporting deadline -- on the phone day and night, begging Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs to write huge checks.

Not me. Our campaign has rejected the money-for-influence game and refused to accept funds from registered federal lobbyists and political action committees.

But there are serious financial consequences to that decision.

Cutting off the flow of easy Washington money means we have to work harder. Instead of relying on a handful of powerful interests, we must bring together hundreds of thousands of supporters, each owning an individual piece of our movement.

It's one thing to talk about financing campaigns differently. It's another for us to take that risk and put our trust in one another.

The June 30th deadline will prove that this era of broken politics and widespread cynicism is coming to a close. We're ready for that change, and together we can turn the page." - Barack Obama in an email I received a couple days ago.

In answer to Geoffrey's, or in addition to it, can you name one?

Eventually, someone will have to be the first, Frank and Geoffrey. And, not to sound like the Obama Spokesperson or anything like that but I honestly believe that he could be that first one that doesn't sell out to lobbyists or the party.

Lainie,

I hope you're right!

Lainie I am doing a little research into Obama he is one of my favorites so far.

Thanks guys.