The problem with the above is what we ALL have said over and over is that there is way too much outside money involved in the political process. That is a given. The chart just iterates how pervasive it is. My point is to make this a discussion of just WHICH actions are detrimental to the US vs just a difference of opinion on how to do something (which we see all the time in the political theater now anyway). 

I will start. OK, a lot of the money the Koch Bros donate goes to refuting climate change. Thus let's discuss these specifics here. Climate change COULD be very detrimental to the long term existance of mankind. In the case of the Koch Bros, perhaps they deny the majority of what science is telling us, but I believe a lot of people believe it is because it adversely at least initially impacts their business profits and operations. 

So using the above as a springboard, what other actions are they supporting that are detrimental to the US. Another MIGHT be the ACA, but then we have to ask why they do oppose it and is it merely their Libertarian notions of how things should work or is it truly something of a pure business nature that they are trying to protect. And, if it is Libertarian and not personal business profit and loss as the basis, should these type of influnces be discouraged in a free society ? 



 

Last edited by tennyson (3/05/2015 12:41 pm)

You might want to scan through some of this:

http://www.kochwatch.org/

Anyhow, my beef has been, and always will be, how monster wads of cash injected into our democratic system of government corrupts the system.  I guess from studying the Italian Renassiance, and particularly the Medici Family, I'm seeing too many parallels ................... yes, the Medici did some wonderful things, yes, they did pump piles of dough into the city of Florence, and yes, they did help out when needed, etc.  However, while never holding a public office they ran the show and got caught up in several shady dealings with those who opposed some of their decisions.  At the time, Florence was on the surface a democratic republic, but believe me, no decisions were ever made without the Medici stamp of approval.  Ask Machiavelli about that.

I'll simply say this:  I'm quite suspicious of anyone who spends inordinate amounts of money on political campaigns of those who are anti-union, anti-regulation, and generally telling me government is the enemy.

Last edited by Just Fred (3/05/2015 2:20 pm)

Would that not be the classic definition of a Libertarian ?   -  Tennyson

It might be.  I'm not familiar with all the ins and outs of libertarianism.  All I'm concerned about is a handful of people controlling our government and operating like some kind of oligarchy.  Since money plays such a big part in American politics, and the use of money is now classified as free speech coupled with the Supreme Court decision that in effect have determined corporations are 'people' a government of, by, and for the people is in the balance.