I know I am not always on top of current events. Thank goodness for my husband and blogs like Momma Political for keeping me updated on the latest and greatest on topics concerning our country. My latest update really bothered me. The conversation was about the Supreme Court ruling known as Citizens United. Why does this bother me and why should we care? Grab a cup of coffee and settle in with me for a few minutes while I attempt to explain what troubles me.
Basically, in Mommy speak, big corporations are now allowed to donate as much money as they want to campaigns and be considered an individual. Why should this bother us? Because you, and me, our neighbor down the street and all our friends are individuals. Do we have money like big corporations? No. So if we decide we like candidate X and want to contribute $20 for the cause, the Big Cs can donate as much money as they want for their candidate and be apart of the election process. But here's a hard kick to the shin, big corporations aren't necessarily AMERICAN corporations! There are many other reasons that bother me about this topic, but we'll take it one step at a time.
I need a refill.
In the news today, President Obama is asking that there be at least some transparency for this bill. To let the American people know who donates to whom and how much, is there anything wrong with that? Well, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell thinks so, and he is quoted by the Associated Press, "By focusing on that partisan effort to rig the fall elections rather than the stagnant economy, Democrats are proving once again that the jobs they care about most are their own," said McConnell "It's a transparent effort to help themselves ahead of an election in which they clearly can't run on their record."
Wow. The President is now rigging elections because he wants Americans to know where candidates get their money. Wow.
Okay, I'm up to date for now. I hope you are too.
I am always suspicious when there is no transparency. This includes myself, as there are certainly things I would rather not share "transparently" with strangers, for example. But our government is not an individual, and we the people deserve more than we are getting. It has been deemed in "our" best interest to keep us in the dark and I cannot help but wonder if that is because the "powers that be" often delude themselves into thinking that they "know better" than we do. After all, what would "they" do with uncontrollable masses of unhappy Americans? We are best left in the murky darkness of our own uninformed opinions; best left to sway right and left with the tide of benefits we may either receive or lose based on who we vote for.
ReplyDeleteThere can be so simple untangling of our twisted governmental policies because 234 years of figuring things out has apparently been boiled down to an unrealistic and misleading choice between two main parties (D & R), while the real issues are as detailed and complicated as trying to figure out the mysteries of DNA in "one easy lesson."
I am amused by political discussions that appear on my Facebook page occasionally, and disappointed with the harshness spewed from a Republican towards a Democrat and vice versa, over issues that seem straightforward, but are not. We cannot "fix" our country simply by choosing the correct political party. It would be nice if we could: lay out the "facts" transparently, let people see the truth of things and then choose which transparent candidate to vote for, and then watch as said chosen candidate gets elected and then does exactly what she says she will do without obstacles, subterfuge, dishonesty, sabotage or compromise.
In order to get to the heart of our cesspool of inequities, deceptions, inappropriate embroilments, and financial mismanagement (to to mention pure ineptness), we would have to derail many programs and companies who are part of our very fiber of daily life.
What would happen, for example, if we just decided that Phillip Morris could no longer manufacture the cigarettes (coincidentally, I've visited their main plant) that killed my father? What would happen if General Mills could no longer package sweet cereals to proffer to unsuspecting future obese, malnourished, cavity-ridden children? What would happen if using hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup became a crime so that the under-educated (or those who simply don't have an interest in good nutrition) could be spared poor health? While noble-sounding, the demise of these huge industries (ciggys and cheap food) would have huge ripples throughout the communities these companies gainfully employ...not to mention the scads of people who would not be able to afford the food made by companies who actually give a d*3@!
Hey, my friend, thanks so much for the shout-out! I am appreciative and humbled! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post. It constantly amazes me that the GOP will bend over backwards to cover up and protect corporate greed and manipulation of the electoral system. I remember how dismayed I was by the Supreme Court when they appointed Bush. My God, what is the country coming to? And now, to see Citizens United passed??? Terrifying. They have given personhood to corporate entities. What's next? Auctioning off the presidency? I don't think folks understand the depth and breadth that the CU encompasses, and the MSM isn't covering its significance. I don't think the Prez asking for basic transparency is out of line at all. What's out of line is that corporations can lie and push their own agenda anonymously. I just want to beat McConnell with a stick for his comments. GAH!
Great post - love your style and enjoy your writing so much, friend. Keep fighting the good fight!
Hey ChaiLicious... don't try to sugar coat it or anything, LOL. Cheers to you and go get yourself some decaf. : )
ReplyDeleteHey MP!
ReplyDeleteI'm lifting my cup up to you right about... NOW!
meant to say "no" simple untangling rather than "so" simple...quite a different meaning. lol
ReplyDeleteHI! Thanks so much for finding me and following me! Glad to meet you all. I'm a little confused about who I'm talking to, is this a group of caffeinated women? :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree with this great post. But so far I'm not too concerned because of the ads I've seen are pretty hideous as far as smart or scary goes. Seems some pretty dumb people are trying to act really smart! :-)
Glad to see MommaP as a friend here, I'm a big fan of her blog too.
Have a great day and talk to ya all soon! Sue
I agree with the others-- this is a terrific, and important, post. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Sue,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by! Yes, we are caffeinated women with strong opinions (like my coffee) and sometimes we need to tell each other to drink decaf! lol Under each post is the writer's caffeinated name and you can find their bio on the Convoy tab. Come back again when you're feeling a bit 'jittery'.
MM- you're welcome! And thank you for visiting.
ReplyDeleteAnother example of republicans trying to keep things under wraps is their blockage of subpoena power for the Congressional commission looking the BP oil spill.
ReplyDeleteHi JC- Thanks for stopping by. Me? I agree with you, but some of the other writers on this site might not! Off to get another cup of caffeine!
ReplyDelete