Big Think

Meredith W on January 31, 2008, 3:08 PM

This idea is absolutely right on, but at this point, getting rid of corporate money seems almost impossible. Between money in the government and in the media, it feels almost like we've created an impenetrably closed system. Revolution is the right word, but what that actually looks like in reality is another question. The internet is probably a good place to start, but we can't seem to make/keep that democratic either. We seem to need a perfect storm.

Meredith W on January 31, 2008, 8:08 PM

This idea is absolutely right on, but at this point, getting rid of corporate money seems almost impossible. Between money in the government and in the media, it feels almost like we’ve created an impenetrably closed system. Revolution is the right word, but what that actually looks like in reality is another question. The internet is probably a good place to start, but we can’t seem to make/keep that democratic either. We seem to need a perfect storm.

Anna Matsen on February 3, 2008, 4:10 PM

You're absolutely right, but I've heard many people say similar things. The question is, HOW do we get corporate influence out of politics? What form of citizens' revolt would work? What can we do, right now, to lead our leaders away from corrupt money? What kind of political system could we run that would put power into the people's hands? What in the democratic process must be changed in order for us to elect viable, non-corrupted leadership?

Anna Matsen on February 3, 2008, 9:10 PM

You’re absolutely right, but I’ve heard many people say similar things. The question is, HOW do we get corporate influence out of politics? What form of citizens’ revolt would work? What can we do, right now, to lead our leaders away from corrupt money? What kind of political system could we run that would put power into the people’s hands? What in the democratic process must be changed in order for us to elect viable, non-corrupted leadership?

Charles Molesworth on March 19, 2008, 1:42 PM

Ms. Klein is right about many things, and well informed. These two attributes are valuable, and rather rarely joined together. She is exactly the sort of person "The Big Think" should be encouraging and promulgating.

Charles Molesworth on March 19, 2008, 5:42 PM

Ms. Klein is right about many things, and well informed. These two attributes are valuable, and rather rarely joined together. She is exactly the sort of person “The Big Think” should be encouraging and promulgating.

William Sellers on September 28, 2008, 12:20 PM

But isn’t the mainstream media also controlled by corporations?

They not only have a heavy financial interest in selling “reality television”, but also have an interest in limiting any impact of journalist reporting on corporate involvement in politics.

Are there parallels to Romans being distracted by colosseum events while Caesar allows the country to decline?

I believe that the people must demand good leadership from its elected officials. If there is bad behavior there, it is because WE tolerate it.

Fred Markham on December 20, 2008, 6:18 AM

Ms. Klein is absolutely right on this point. Furthermore, there actually is a way that we can remove the influence of money from politics. It won’t be easy, but the states of Maine, Arizona, Connecticut and others have shown that it is possible. The system is called by various names, including “Clean Elections”, “Voter Owned Elections”, “Publicly Funded Elections”. Under Clean Elections, candidates qualify by collecting a required number of petitions and small ($5) donations from registered voters in their district. Qualifying candidates are then provided money by the government (read “by the people”, or “by the voters”) to campaign competitively. In this way, the taxpayers provide election campaigns as a public service, in the same way that we provide ourselves with national defense, police and fire protection, and other basic services.

The system works well in the states that have adopted it, and has proven to be popular across the political spectrum … it is used by Republicans, Democrats and other parties as well.

Legislation was introduced in Congress in 2007, and should be re-introduced in 2009, called the “Fair Elections Now Act”. Watch for this.

In the meantime, learn more about the system and how to get involved in your state by visiting these web sites… this won’t happen without major public involvement, because the moneyed interests are powerful and highly motivated to prevent it. But it can happen if we want it to badly enough.

Visit these web sites to learn more; they provide links to many others.

http://publicampaign.org …click the map to find organizations in your state.

http://democracymatters.org

If you live in Florida, visit http://spacecoastprogressivealliance.org/elections/