Editorial: DC lobbying money hurts democracy -- you can change it!

Now many of you may not be on-board with this, but I truly believe deep down that our country is on the edge of greatness.  You, me and every other progressive knows what needs to be done.  We need to fix our voting systems and fight voter discrimination.  We need a health policy that actually values people.  We need a Manhattan project to make us energy independent.  We need to restore our sense of community.  And the laundry list goes on and on!

Yet, none of these new century reforms can happen if we continue electing leaders that take money directly from DC lobbyists.  Candidates such as Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden are indebted to a bribery system that is based on the power and profit of a few, which undermines the uniquely American value of populist-driven democracy.

Even so, we are still on the edge of greatness because we are building a populist movement right here online.  It consists of hundreds of blogs and other outreach groups that connect people to -- well -- other people.  This is not a battle between the liberal and centrist wings of the party, it is a battle between the grassroots and the status-quo Democratic establishment.

If it was 1990 and we were faced with today's problems, change would be more difficult to come by.  Today, we have the power of the internet.   What an amazing resource!  Never before has the establishment felt so threatened.  To see how nervous they really are, all you had to do was watch Meet the Press yesterday, as Harold Ford tried to justify why an organization of just a few dozen Washington insiders know more about priorities than millions of concerned progressive citizens.

We are turning the page on this six-year train-wreck as we head towards January, and you can be part of it.  Remain engaged.  Volunteer or even donate a small amount of money to a campaign of your choice that does not accept direct DC lobbyist money.  Comment on forums, blogs, MySpace, Facebook, Youtube, chat rooms and anywhere else on the internet where you think you can make a difference.  If you work full time, as most of us do, then put aside just fifteen minutes each day for this effort.  The great part about the internet is you do not have to live in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada or South Carolina to impact the vote.  Visit local Iowa forums and chat rooms, and remind people why lobbyist money pollutes our system.  Also, commenting on progressive blogs gives them a higher search rating -- which means more voters Googling a particular candidate will find the content you commented on.  Do your part.

If you are the kind of person that always complains, "Politicians are corrupt and they never look out for me," then do not sit idle on the sidelines when there is so much at stake.  You have the resources right in front of you.  Get connected, and get moving.  The next five months could determine the next eight years.  What do you want our American political system to be like in the year 2016?  It's your call.

Am I being a little over-dramatic?  Maybe.  But no apologies here.  The vehicle of change is right in front of our eyes.  It's the internet.  Use it and do your part for the next five months, or else don't complain!

Comments

[George]

Well said.

Also, I find that the best thing about commenting on blogs is that it forces you to think deeply about your opinion and often to justify why you hold a certain opinion. There's something profound about putting your thoughts on the page that you dont get otherwise. I would love to see more people test their ideas on here and elsewhere.

[granny]

Fabulous editorial!!

And I love the blue quote boxes. Really sets the quotes out from the text: gives a good emphasis - "these are the words that were used" ; and I think it breaks up the text in a pleasing way, easier to read.

[Chief Editor: Todd]

Thanks, Granny!! :)

George, you're right, it sure beats watching the news and formulating your own opinions without being encouraged to think harder. The audience that visits this blog tends to be rather shy. You, Granny, Jon, Tony, Arlen, and a few more tend to speak up more than others. Sometimes I get emails from people who say they have been going to this site for the last year, yet for the first time wanted to comment on how they want me to improve the blog. And I think to myself, "Wow, more people visit my blog than I thought!" lol So this editorial was intended for those who visit this site, but sometimes think twice about commenting or getting involved in a campaign of their choice. We could really use everyone's input. I have a lot to learn from everyone here, and that's most of the reason why I blog.

LOL I just miss that Ted K guy...that one conservative Republican that used to come in here about nine months ago. I wonder what he thinks about Iraq? Probably still among that hard-core 25%.