Michael Moore on Ratigen / Jon Stewart - In Dodd we trust

[D-Mack]

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[raja]

Re: Michael Moore on Ratigan / Jon Stewart - In Dodd we trust

Constitutional amendment to ban money from politics -- I like it !!

I also like what Moore said about running for office . . . I wonder how difficult it would be to get elected to the House in a rural district?

[marvenger]

Re: Michael Moore on Ratigan / Jon Stewart - In Dodd we trust

did that link come from fuckbankers.com, seems to have been removed

[ThePythonicCow]

Re: Michael Moore on Ratigan / Jon Stewart - In Dodd we trust

Constitutional amendment to ban money from politics -- I like it !!

Exactly how does that work :confused:.

[raja]

Re: Michael Moore on Ratigan / Jon Stewart - In Dodd we trust

Exactly how does that work :confused:.

I have no idea . . . first time I've heard of the idea.
Let me see . . . off the top of my head . . . .

Seems like there are two aspects to money in politics: elections and post-election influence.

1) Elections --

No more campaign contributions.

Electioneering will occur in stages . . . .

Well before election day, potential representatives are allowed to put up a website that they can use to present as much evidence as they desire to prove their worthiness to voters. Candidates can provide written material, hold online chats, present simple video speeches showing the representative at a podium (no actors), and answer questions posed online.
Candidates may advertise their candidacy by listing their website on a government website designated for that purpose. All other campaigning by candidates is prohibited at this time.

To avoid biased media influence, television, newspapers and radio will be prohibited from reporting on or discussing candidates at this time. They will be able to provide 2 public service announcements each day, listing in alphabetical order all candidates' websites.

Six months before the primaries, voters cast their vote over the internet on government voting websites. The 7 candidates getting the most votes are then given an equal sums of money that must be spent on town hall type meetings -- no TV, print or radio advertising allowed. No additional money from any source maybe used for these events.

Close to the time of the election, televised debates will occur between the candidates. Networks will be required to air these at no charge. At this time, the pundits and talking heads will be given free reign to analyze and influence.

2) Post-Election Influence --

No political contributions allowed.

Any representative voting on any particular legislation may not work in the industry affected for five years, nor may their family members.

Representatives will be required to divide lobbying time equally between the pro and con parties in any legislation (appointments times will be logged). Example: In a case of legislation to allow industrial dumping, representatives will be required to give equal ear time to those for and against restricting dumping. 80% of lobbying time will be devoted to organizations, and 20% to affected individuals.

Of course, this proposed election process outlined above is not "free", but it is fair. The current money-based influence system is neither free nor fair.

[Serge_Tomiko]

Re: Michael Moore on Ratigan / Jon Stewart - In Dodd we trust

Exactly how does that work :confused:.

Eliminate democracy. If there are no elections, there will be no way for money to influence whatever new political order is implemented.

This is, of course, inevitable. Might as well start thinking about it now so we don't get a vicious dictator.

[ThePythonicCow]

Re: Michael Moore on Ratigan / Jon Stewart - In Dodd we trust

To avoid biased media influence, television, newspapers and radio will be prohibited from reporting on or discussing candidates at this time.

Well, not to put too fine a point on this sir, but that's absurd .

You touch here on one of the essential contradictions of efforts to "get the money out of politics". Commentary (influence) by others, by all available means (media), is an essential part of the political process. Any attempt past perhaps the most gross to limit the form or content of political speech by means of legislation and regulation empowers some legislators and regulators sufficiently to destroy the free political process. Such power never goes long unused.

[ThePythonicCow]

Re: Michael Moore on Ratigan / Jon Stewart - In Dodd we trust

Might as well start thinking about it now so we don't get a vicious dictator.

Yes, heaven forbid a vicious dictator. Our great nation deserves only the finest gentle dictators .

[Ghent12]

Re: Michael Moore on Ratigen / Jon Stewart - In Dodd we trust

I like his Xerox analogy.