Is America at the Point of No Return?

[ERD50]

Not sure where bribe came from. The Supreme court doesn't seem to think there is anything wrong with contributing money to politicians - or even judges in some states. I do, but in most cases I wouldn't call that bribery.

As I said, I just used the term 'bribe' for simplicity. What I mean is " A Congressperson putting the requests of a special interest group (often represented by a lobby) ahead of (often to the detriment of) the 'general welfare' in return for other 'favors'".

I'm sure that verbiage can be dissected, but 'bribe' was a lot simpler and to the point.

-ERD50

 

[calmloki]

Maybe I'm naive, but I expect a decent lobbyist presents a win-win to the lobbied party. Not only is giving Xplodocorp good for the troops, but the jobs it creates in Missoula are good for Senator Bullmoose's constituents. The nation benefits by having the finest military equipped with the best in exploding hardware. Now if Bullmoose's BIL happens to be a fine widget polisher it might just happen that that is just what Xplodocorp is in desperate need of at the new plant - maybe they could hire him as a trainer or motivational speaker?

Bribes? Surely not!

 

[ERD50]

Maybe I'm naive, but I expect a decent lobbyist presents a win-win to the lobbied party.

I think this happens, and it's fine. But I was responding to the line posted about lobbyists having 'too much say'. They can 'say' all they want if it is a win for the 'general welfare'. If it isn't the legislature should not go along.

-ERD50

 

[MichaelB]

As I said, I just used the term 'bribe' for simplicity. What I mean is " A Congressperson putting the requests of a special interest group (often represented by a lobby) ahead of (often to the detriment of) the 'general welfare' in return for other 'favors'".

I'm sure that verbiage can be dissected, but 'bribe' was a lot simpler and to the point.

-ERD50

Right. Bribe has a distinct criminal implication. This is too cynical for me.

 

[ERD50]

Right. Bribe has a distinct criminal implication. This is too cynical for me.

When it comes to Congress, I don't think I could ever be 'too cynical'. YMMV.

-ERD50

 

[kcowan]

I ahve no dog in this hunt but I think the answer is YES to OP!

 

[Free To Canoe]

The gap between the "Super Rich 1%" of the U.S. population and the other 99% is now greater than it was before the stock market crash of 1929. Jack Bogle has warned that the "Invisible Hand" no longer serves the people. Instead, Wall Street is obsessed with restoring the unregulated market that brought the world to its knees in 2008. With many of the 261,0000 lobbyists in Washington D.C. serving the super rich, they can get what they want in terms of regulations, tax loopholes, and earmarks at the expense of the general public.

Average investors are simply no match for the gambling that goes on in the derivative casinos by Wall Street Insiders. The rich have an insatiable appetite for wealth that can never be satisfied.

Paul Farrell offers some compelling arguments supporting his theory that America is being destroyed by the misuse of capitalism by the Super Rich in his article, "10 Doomsday Trends America can't Survive."

10 Doomsday trends America can

There are problems with the country but the "doomsday" concerns are not the ones that I see.

We have been in worse places before in this country, even in my lifetime.
This too will pass.
Recent events have inspired me to leave you with a little music in the link below taken from the greatest movie ever made.
YouTube - God Bless America