Are we being gamed by the political system?

SPC David S. — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 15:00:59 -0400

Are we intentionally being divided on issues so that politicians can get rich in the process? One side gets lobbied by a group that is pro-'X' while the other side is lobbied by a group that is anti-'X' that results in nothing more than raising funds for future campaign efforts.

https://ballotpedia.org/Changes_in_Net_Worth_of_U.S._Senators_and_Representatives_(Personal_Gain_Index)

Changes in Net Worth of U.S. Senators and Representatives (Personal Gain Index) - Ballotpedia

Ballotpedia is a nonprofit, nonpartisan professionally curated encyclopedia designed to connect people to politics and elections at the local, state and federal level.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jun 19 at 2016 3:05 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 15:05:58 -0400

SPC David S. great read and share!

Response by SSgt Christopher Brose made Jun 19 at 2016 3:19 PM

SSgt Christopher Brose — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 15:19:27 -0400

There was nothing in that stat-dump that indicated where any increase in wealth came from. I think cynicism is an underrated virtue, but it's ill-placed here. Congresspeople can't take money directly from lobbyists or campaign funds, not legally anyway, so attributing all those increases in income to lobbyists or campaign financing is basically saying they are all criminals. Some of them might in fact be criminals, but increases in income are not proof of it.

Nobody is intentionally dividing us on issues. We divide ourselves on issues.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2016 3:35 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 15:35:07 -0400

Put your money to the Red Cross, the United Way, your local religious charity or charities that help victims worldwide instead of some PAC that gets money from corporations already. Here is the list from the Canadian and US governments. I always vote no on my tax return when Im asked about the Presidential Campaign Fund selection.
1. We have had severe flooding in Texas
2. Fires in many states.
3. 80k Canadians displaced from Fort McMurray Forest Fire and 20% of the city was burned to the ground and many of you saw the fires on tv.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9rdkR4BlpY
A.Chairities Listing by Canadian Government: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/lstngs/menu-eng.html
B.IRS listing of Charities: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/organizations-eligible-to-receive-tax-deductible-charitable-contributions

AFTERMATH: WildFire at Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada

The Aftermath of the Wildfire at Fort McMurray in Northern Alberta, Canada.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 19 at 2016 3:39 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 15:39:30 -0400

I think we are being gamed by a defective educational system that leads us to selecting people like the current crop of candidates.
How did it come to pass that the two least liked politicians in either Party were chosen in the primaries?

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 19 at 2016 4:23 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 16:23:44 -0400

The political divide is a canard. The real divide, an abyss, lies in the ideology of the Left which has infected both major political parties. It's been amusing to me over the past decade how the Democrats have vilified President Bush when there is little difference between him and President Obama. Yes, President Bush evinced more pride in America, but that is of little consequence when you look deeper into the similarities between the two men.

Response by MSgt John McGowan made Jun 19 at 2016 6:11 PM

MSgt John McGowan — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 18:11:46 -0400

SPC We are being gamed by the political system. The wealth of some of those in Congress has gone up at a unbelievable rate. I think i remember some over a 1000%. We don't want to forget Hillary made $100000 on a $5000 investment in cattle. I understand Reid bought some land a very low price and sold at a very high price. No I do not trust our government to look after our best interest. If the time spend on raising money was spend on working the problems of country out we would all be better off.

Response by SSgt W. Aaron Gregory made Jun 19 at 2016 7:16 PM

SSgt W. Aaron Gregory — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 19:16:43 -0400

I had made a comment the other day to a friend - I think that once the election is over, and someone else other than Obama or Hillary is in office... that we won't hear much about public mass shootings for a couple of years, maybe 3.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jun 19 at 2016 8:47 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 20:47:50 -0400

I'm a firm believer we're played. And it's the big money and power behind the curtains pulling the strings who decides the elections. This year is a good case in point. Both Dem and Rep had some fantastic people running. And yet the ones with the best ideas, most practical way of handling things and such were ousted and we were left with the choice we got.

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Jun 19 at 2016 10:12 PM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 22:12:21 -0400

Want money out of politics? 3 words:
Election Finance Reform!

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2016 10:15 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 22:15:43 -0400

The political machinery in this country has morphed a thousand times over the centuries as singular individuals have put their mark on it, directly or indirectly. As I have studied political science over the years, I, and thousands more, have rightfully concluded that, since the advent of FDR, the entity known as Washington has been continually invaded by people of great wealth and social influence seeking public office and turning it into a lifelong career. With that has the kind of morale corruption and decadence not seen before Congress or the White House. An evermore technologically advanced and an evermore liberally skewed Media has created the Perfect Storm we now see and, most of America, reviles. Are we being gamed? Damn right we are, and we let it happen, consciously or sub-consciously. It is time to invoke Article V of our Constitution. NOW. Tomorrow will be years too late.

Response by SGT James Hammons made Jun 21 at 2016 10:39 AM

SGT James Hammons — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 10:39:26 -0400

Some people are falling for the Bull that comes out of Washington but if people are having a hard time seeing clearly the danger of Big Government. Dems have become to far left and are Anti-American.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jun 21 at 2016 12:11 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 12:11:22 -0400

Over the years I have come to believe that getting rich through graft, illegal contributions etc is not the main purpose for getting into politics. At one point we had the mayor of Chicago who was later shown to be pretty crooked, but you don't hear so much of that anymore. I feel that nowadays the main abuse of political figures is the accumulation and misuse of power to implement their own ideological agenda. Having so much stroke must be like a drug. In TX Rick Perry was gov for 12 years and wielded immense power through running the executive branch, appointments to boards, commissions, universities and agencies, all with toadies to implement his political ideas. He didn't amount to much outside of TX but was a big influence around here.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jun 24 at 2016 11:32 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 11:32:18 -0400

SPC David S. I think our political system has been playing the average American System for a long time now. It's big money, big business, big power, and big relationships that lead to big favors. Now some might say that is how we get things done, but what about all the people living on entitlements instead of working to make this country strong, what about all the homeless, what about the poverty stricken, what about the starving children and families, what about families that use to be able to afford healthcare and can't now because of politics and backroom deals, what about those that still don't have healthcare, what about the problems in our inner cities with violence and gangs, and what about those that can't find work because our big businesses have moved their plants overseas for cheaper labor costs and lessor safety conditions. We've been played and will continued to be played under this current form of government. I'm not saying that we change the framework of our government. I believe that our forefathers of this nation really cared and had a purpose, but we need to overhaul it "big time" and clean out the corruption, the power hungry, the greedy, those that only care about themselves, the election systems, and put the people back at the forefront of deciding who is charge, not some system that only feeds the wealthy and pwoerful;

**so it's a "Government of the people, by the people, for the people, that shall not perish from the Earth."**

Response by SGT Paul Mackay made Jun 24 at 2016 2:23 PM

SGT Paul Mackay — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 14:23:29 -0400

yes

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2016 1:57 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 13:57:23 -0500

Yes we are and we have been for a very long time. We underestimate the part the media plays in it also. Imagine how many would be unemployed in all forms of media if they strictly reported the facts and allowed us to arrive at our own conclusions. Instead they massage and spin it until only the most ardent can determine what the real story is. Many have claimed that 6 corporations hold 90% of media but that is debatable. It's not debatable that this handful do have a huge impact on molding public opinion in ways that are good for their corporate interests.

http://memepoliceman.com/corporate-media-control/

Do 6 Corporations Control 90% of the Media- The Meme Policeman

This is a popular meme claiming either five or six corporations control 90% of the media content. When this claim is analyzed, it's dubious at best.