SpawnPoint - Where Game Begins

I realize there aren't too many here interested in politics and/or the law, but something happened today that should be of great interest to all of us.

The Supreme Court ruled that without limitations, corporations have the same rights as individual people. In a system already corrupt with greed and power, the Court has handed the rich and powerful the final element needed for eventual complete and total control of our government. We see it already today with soaring insurance corporation stocks on the news that health care reform is DOA. A modest estimate has the health care lobby giving over 60 Million dollars in the past year to politicians to fight reform. Is this democracy, is this what we fight and die for?

In any case, for those who'd like to hear a bit more about just how bad this could become here's a link to last nights "Special Comment" by Keith Olbermann. To be taken with a grain of salt, but worth the listen.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/#34985508

Never, a dull moment.

Quote: Bravo! This is what I'm counting on. What's it going to take for WE the people to finally get pissed off enough to make the changes needed to save the middle class. There's already a movement going with the "Tea Party", but they're being manipulated by the right. They're trying to get their footing, and I think they will. When they do both the left and the right may find that the middle has it's own party.

Keep in mind as well that the Congress still has moves to make on this ruling. They can, and likely will, implement new laws (rules) on how campaign's are to be run. But, the only thing that will work is that if the people get upset, make noise about those who take the money, use the media to showcase who's giving and who's taking, put greed and hypocrasy under the microscope so the truth is known. Only the people can fix this, fix it with our votes, fix it with our purchase power, fix it with the desire to keep our democracy.

The Supreme Court ruling swept away 100 years of acknowledged law. In doing so the average citizen now has to compete dollar for dollar with the unlimited wealth of big business for the election of our leaders. This ruling opens the flood gates of funding where we may no longer support the Senator from New York, or any state -- but the Senator from Halliburton, or some other corporate entity.

Well, not to turn this into a left vs. right thing. But, it should be noted here that these five Justice's are the same one's who gave us 8 years of George Bush. That as I type the Republican's are supporting the ruling, and they're very pleased with the outcome. Why, because traditionally they're the party that most benefits from donations. This too will likely change, as now more campaign money than ever before will be flowing freely to both sides.

With all this... the economy, no jobs, no loans, forclosures, little or no health insurance, the deficit, the debt, ripped off by the banks, a government polarized, and the wars... sigh... where are the angry voices of the middle class?

There is a storm coming.


p.s. Marty, looks like we're the only ones contributing to this forum lately. As the world passes them by.

The thing that bothers me more and more about the Supreme Court.....or any court for that matter like it....is that they are being molded into more of a legislative branch of government rather than the judicial that they were designed for. Instead of interpreting things by what the current laws are and say .... which is what I believe they are suppose to do.....they seem to more and more be chosen for which bias they have....and then expected to "rule" on that bias. If they were doing their jobs correctly IMO, their bias' shouldn't matter. They would make rulings on cases brought before them based on current law, not whether or not they are for or against Roe v. Wade or anti gun. Those kinds of things and decisions should be made at the legislative branch, not the judicial. I know that is kind of an over-simplification of what they do, but it shouldn't be. They are suppose to be a "check and balance" to the legislative and Executive branchs, not an enabler to big business and special interest groups.


While Bush might have "set the current tone in the SC", do you really think that ruling would have gone differently in a Clinton or Obama court? I don't. It is more about how much money companies and special interests throw at these issues than about what is right or what is the intent of the law. Even given the short time Obama has been in office, it seems like even the Dems are having trouble reigning in all the deep pockets. What is their incentive to reign them in anyway? This ruling will make it easier for all politicians to generate campaign funds now. All those politicians are publically going "tsk! tsk!" about this, but I think once their doors are closed to the public, the jump up and down for joy. I guess finally we can have something that generates by-partisan support....*sarcasm*

This is certainly a concern to the average American, but where there is conflict there is also opportunity. If we had/have a Congress that works for the people they can easily draft new bills that would counter the court ruling. For example, a law that requires any contributor of X amount of dollars or more to state in the add who is paying for it. The thought being that if "the people" voters see one company or group pushing huge sums into one campaign, the public will be offended and not vote for that candidate. I know I wouldn't.

They hide the money trail already...both legit "slimy politicial legal" ways and other ways that are illegal, are hard to prove and usually are gotten away with. Teacher's unions for example. The one my dad was in always put all their dollars towards the candidate that the union reps wanted, not the ones that the teacher's themselves wanted.

If you want to see a movie that I believe best represents the "shinanaggins" going on in WA DC, watch "The Distinguished Gentlemen" with Eddie Murphy. Personally, I believe it is not too far from that kind of thing now with some of those politicians.....from the "slimy back door" ones to the idealistic "too far to one side of the political spectrum" ones that never get anything done.

We need to get rid of the 2 party system. It makes it too easy for special interests to control things.