Partisianism Aside... Why Aren't People Freaking Out over This?

[75th]

It surprises me greatly that this is your position. It normally works in favor of your political agenda.

PS -- regarding the bailout, I don't think I'm in favor of it. I think we should just let the housing bubble correct itself. ??? However, I may just be ignorant. Would allowing the banks go under completely freeze lending, even between banks? I don't know.

Yes it would. After Monday the overnight lending rate between banks more than doubled.

 

[heatherrae]

Yes it would. After Monday the overnight lending rate between banks more than doubled.

Well, I admitted ignorance with respect to the effect of these banks going under on the overall economy. I'm not sure which is better. I guess I just have to hope that whoever is making the decisions with regard to who gets bailed out and who doesn't knows what they are doing.

 

[mrplunkey]

It surprises me greatly that this is your position. It normally works in favor of your political agenda.

Are you trying to imply Republicans collect more campaign contributions than Democrats?

 

[heatherrae]

Are you trying to imply Republicans collect more campaign contributions than Democrats?

I think for most things that there are donations to be had on both sides of the issue -- i.e., corporations lobbying v. unions lobbying. However, with respect to the banking industry, the republicans usually get the lions share of the contributions because the consumer protection advocates don't have deep pockets.

 

[mrplunkey]

I think for most things that there are donations to be had on both sides of the issue -- i.e., corporations lobbying v. unions lobbying. However, with respect to the banking industry, the republicans usually get the lions share of the contributions because the consumer protection advocates don't have deep pockets.

Which side is raising more money in the current political campaign? Explain to me how you tell the difference between "corporate" money and money from any other source when individuals are the ones writing the checks.

 

[heatherrae]

Which side is raising more money in the current political campaign? Explain to me how you tell the difference between "corporate" money and money from any other source when individuals are the ones writing the checks.

Here is a good article. There are definitely ways to track who gives money earmarked for what purpose and how that correlates with voting. Of course correlation doesn't prove causation, but it doesn't disprove it either.

Following the Money Trail Online - Pogue’s Posts - Technology - New York Times Blog

Maplight.org

I wrote a 75 page paper in law school legislation class, interestingly enough discussing campaign finance reform, the various suggestions of how it could be accomplished and whether each was effective, ethical, constitutional etc. I was surprised that when I had completed my paper I had decided that I opposed the reform as being a violation of freedom of speech. my professor was Congressman Ron Mazzoli and he asked my permission to circulate the paper around washington. I'm kind of flattered. Evidently, lots of people read it. I wish I still had it, but I don't.

 

[goin on 4T]

I wrote a 75 page paper in law school legislation class,

Holly crap who has time to write a 75 page paper?
Wow I am surprised you don't write longer posts with sources attached! JK

 

[heatherrae]

Holly crap who has time to write a 75 page paper?
Wow I am surprised you don't write longer posts with sources attached! JK

a law student looking for an A...lol.

 

[pin]

Because Plunk, people are stupid. That is the short and sweet answer. People go to the polls and vote in local, state, and congressional elections. Then they walk away from the polls patting themselves on the back feeling all warm and fuzzy inside, thinking that they are so patriotic. But then they never pay attention to what the people that they are voted for are doing or voting for themselves. Politicians are not held responsible for anything. And its the peoples fault.

 

[mrplunkey]

Here is a good article. There are definitely ways to track who gives money earmarked for what purpose and how that correlates with voting. Of course correlation doesn't prove causation, but it doesn't disprove it either.

Following the Money Trail Online - Pogue’s Posts - Technology - New York Times Blog

Maplight.org

I wrote a 75 page paper in law school legislation class, interestingly enough discussing campaign finance reform, the various suggestions of how it could be accomplished and whether each was effective, ethical, constitutional etc. I was surprised that when I had completed my paper I had decided that I opposed the reform as being a violation of freedom of speech. my professor was Congressman Ron Mazzoli and he asked my permission to circulate the paper around washington. I'm kind of flattered. Evidently, lots of people read it. I wish I still had it, but I don't.

Its still virtually impossible to track fundraiser money in a causal way. I go to a few (i.e. 4-5) of these events a year and then do something stupid like host an event about once every 3-4 years. Its a simple procedure: There are a pool of people in each town who keep recycling each other for political events. The events all run $2,000/couple and the food really sucks. You show-up at the door, write a $2,000 personal check, get a really nice (usually) pre-printed name tag. Then shoot the shit for one hour. Then you listen to the guy (or girl) for 5-10 minutes and the event breaks-up. The candidate walks-out with a stack of 40-100 checks for $2,000 each. Now how exactly do you tie that back to corporations or the industries those people represent?