Quote (Skinned @ Jun 30 2016 07:55am)

The Republicans have pretty much did this themselves. It is their fault they have been backward on Civil Rights since Lincoln died.

Quote (Beowulf @ 17 Jul 2016 13:00)

If given the option I would support less money in politics and I am glad she is pledging as she did even if I am skeptical about the result or intention

I don't want 4000 options of everyone from Roseanne to Billy Bob down the mountain when I go in to vote for President though

Quote (EndlessSky @ 17 Jul 2016 16:14)

Cop Killary 2016

Quote (AiNedeSpelCzech @ Jul 17 2016 09:17pm)

Aren't you the one who can't stop whining when someone posts in the trump thread tho?

Quote (EndlessSky @ 17 Jul 2016 17:33)

=)

Quote (ThatAlex @ Jul 17 2016 09:35am)

The influence of corporations and special interest groups over elections and votes is larger than what it should be. The people still hold the most power, but that does not exclude the possibility of corporations/special interests having more influence over elections and votes than they probably should have.

Take for instance the NRA. When polled, the majority of Americans want to see increased gun restrictions. However, we see very little of those gun restrictions because the NRA is constantly lining the pockets of politicians to vote or behave in certain ways as it pertains to gun laws.

This is an example of a special interest group holding a disproportionate amount of power over elections and votes. What the people want vs what we get isn't always the same thing because money from corporations and special interest groups can influence the way politicians vote and behave.

To be clear, I do not think that special interest groups and corporations should have zero power or influence over the democratic process in America. I just think that Citizens United exacerbated the problem.

Take a look at the ridiculous amount of money pouring into this presidential election and the past presidential election and compare them to 2008 and previous elections in the US and you will see what I'm talking about. It didn't used to always be this way. Sanders and Clinton are right, Citizens United strips away some of the influence from voters (and yes, they still hold the majority of the power).

Quote (thundercock @ 17 Jul 2016 23:33)

I think you're incredibly misguided on the issue oflobbying, specifically the NRA. Politicians don't really care about the NRA's money. It's actually pretty inconsequential. They are scared of the NRA because they are VERY effective at getting people out to vote. NRA members are CONSISTENT voters and can swing an election. Politicians don't fear money or the lack thereof. They fear large swaths of people voting against them.

Also, we should put a hard cap on the number of Twitter followers that people can have. It's undemocratic for certain people have to have disproportionate influence on politicians.

Quote (ThatAlex @ Jul 17 2016 08:57pm)

I think you have a valid point about NRA supporters being consistent voters, but politicians' voting behaviors are most definitely influenced by money and special interest groups.

Quote (ThatAlex @ Jul 16 2016 03:19pm)

"Hillary Clinton committed Saturday to introducing a constitutional amendment to overturn the Citizens United decision within her first 30 days in office, if she’s elected president."

“The amendment would allow Americans to establish common sense rules to protect against the undue influence of billionaires and special interests and to restore the role of average voters in elections,” a Clinton spokesman said in statement.

...

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/hillary-clinton-citizens-united-225658?cmpid=sf

This is excellent news. Amending the Constitution is very difficult, so I doubt it passes, but it's still a fantastic thing to try and do. Campaign finance reform is one of the biggest issues facing the US today because it would help restore the democratic process and affects how all of our elected officials behave and vote after they are elected.