Disgraceful

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/24458

Disgraceful
Submitted by davidswanson on Mon, 2007-07-09 15:37. Media

By PA Farruggio

Funny.... no.... sad how little our fellow citizens will speak out, while this sham of a political system sputters and stalls. We have a myriad of books and articles written about the run-up to the attack, invasion and occupation of Iraq. We have most members of Congress reacting to this news by acknowledging that we, the American public, press and Congress, were lied to. Yet, even as members of the Bush/Cheney cabal's party are ' jumping ship' over the occupation of Iraq, silence by the Democratic leadership on the issue of impeachment . John Conyers , chair of the Judiciary Committee, gave us his word not even than two years ago: "Once we take back the Congress, and I am chair of the Judiciary Committee, my first order of business will be to hold ' hearings of inquiry' into the run-up to this war." What happened John? Disgraceful!

You turn on the boob tube to any news program, or tune into the mainstream talk radio shows, and what is one of the most ' important issues'? Who is leading in the 2008 race...... in raising the most money? Do can believe it!? We have reached the bottom of the bottomless pit of disgrace! Nothing about issues and concrete solutions by the candidates. Instead, we have the charts showing us who is raising the most cash. For, after all, isn't that what America has become? Thus, only the wealthy, or those who can best ' suck up' to the wealthy, will ultimately hold office. Disgraceful!

Seven years ago, we at the ( then) local Green Party chapter voted on what was our key issue to focus on. It was ' Public Funding of Elections '. The Supreme Court ruled in 1976 ( Buckley vs. Valeo ) that it was unconstitutional to prohibit private donations to political campaigns. You could limit but not prohibit. Thus, in 1996, Maine voters decided on ' Clean Election Laws' for any intra state elected offices. Maine's law took effect in the 2000 elections, for contests other than national ones. It gave each citizen the opportunity to run as a ' Clean Election candidate', so as to voluntarily not raise or spend any private money. Each prospective candidate, after getting the assigned number of bone fide signatures from within a district, and collecting $ 5.00 from each signatory and turning it over to the election office, would be on the ballot. All ' Clean Election' candidates would be eligible for public funds- not much, but enough to make some impact. If another candidate wished to run for office by raising and spending private money, so be it. At least the public would be aware of who was who. Let's cut to the chase. In the 2000 election cycle, around 27% of those who ran as ' Clean Election candidates ' actually won office. 27%.

Cindy Sheehan has announced that if the Democrats, led by Speaker Pelosi, do not begin the impeachment process, that she will run for Nancy's seat in '08. Here, where I reside, I am lucky in the fact that we have a viable candidate who will once again run against Rep Feeney. Clint Curtis has been outspoken in his belief that ' hearings of inquiry ' should begin, not only for the possible impeachment of Bush, but for Cheney as well. What saddens me is how many in my district decided not to vote in '06, assuring the election for Feeney. I might add that our district has been gerrymandered so well, as to keep the Republicans in power here. Yet, if the majority of eligible voters did do just that, Curtis would win. Why? Because the majority of Americans, anywhere in our great land, are decent, hardworking folks. Once they receive the truth, they will react accordingly. It's just so difficult to get to that point, with a media that is...... a disgrace! Factor out Keith Olberman's fine nightly news hour, and Bill Moyer's Journal on Fridays, and perhaps some sports of interest..... the rest is ...... disgraceful!

We have become a lost culture. There is little ' light' at the end of this tunnel. As more and more cautionary economic news comes forth, we see a stock market setting new highs. Why? Well, as my friend who works two jobs informed me recently: " Well, the rich need and deserve their tax breaks.... after all, they pay most of the taxes." Perhaps he should look at the gas pump next time he gives his money to Big Oil, and see how much of his $ 3.00 goes to pay taxes. Multiply that figure by 98% of our population, and see what that adds up to. As long as hardworking folks like my friend continue to act like serfs, instead of standing up and speaking out........ the wrong people will lead us further and further in the wrong direction. Disgraceful!