Reply #450: Excellent post ~ [View All]

We've been blinded by eight years of Bush and I don't think we were wrong to work to get rid of Republican rule, but that wasn't enough as has become clear.

I think what Scarlet Woman was trying to say was that building a strong movement outside the party system would give us enough power that we could then influence the party. I think that's what she meant but she can correct me if I'm wrong.

The problem we have is that we are no match for big corporations. The people are the only ones in DC who do not have lobbyists, because we cannot afford them. So the field is clear for Corporate America to influence our elected officials.

I don't think we can get the necessary changes, ie, campaign finance reform, as long as the balance is tilted towards those with money. We first need to get some power on our own and a movement such as the Labor Movement or the Civil Rights movement is missing today.

The very fact that the COS of the administration we helped elect can so dismiss the people and with no repercussions, so far, shows how powerless we are. What disturbs me is how many people are willing to accept this and just keep doing what has not worked, over and over again. That has to change.