Sadly I’m forced to agree with Rat. It has become easier to become a billionaire than to get money out of politics. And that’s not just the U.S., it’s the world over.
Ok so recent Sunday strips have been rehashing shady politician stories with the same theme… money and incompetence. These Sunday strips used to be entertaining…
That is what the Supremes have given us, under the guise of free speech. But that alone is not enough for the Repugs, who feel compelled to go after the one countervailing force with a chance of standing up to their financial onslaught – unions. They are systematically depriving unions of revenue and bargaining power.
A good argument can be made that unions are what kept the USA away from a much more communist-oriented political structure during the Depression, by being able to effectively counter the overwhelming market power of the major industrialists of the age; Carnegie, Rockefeller, Morgan, etc. But the unionists had to pay with their lives to earn the rights that the Repugs are now trying to take away. Men and women died in the streets. If we keep going down the path we are on, we are going to see the same things again.
I don’t deny that unions grew too powerful and corrupt over time. They needed to see that economic cycles are just that – cyclical – and adapt accordingly. They did not. Now the wealthy, pro-corporate side is making the same mistake of pressing their advantage to the detriment of all. No one wins. No one ever wins in any permanent sense. Yet we foolish humans perpetuate this self-destructive pattern of offense and revenge. It takes place all over the world, certainly. The only way mankind can survive long-term is to learn to stop this behavior, to listen to facts rather than emotions, to give science its due and let history be a guide but not a template. To forgive others. We’re all in this together and, as Ben Franklin said:“Gentlemen, we must all hang together, or we shall most assuredly all hang separately.”
People only buy politicians because it’s worth it. Start taking some of the power away from the politicians and fewer people will try to buy them. We had a limited government with checks and balances where it was difficult to pass and enact laws for a reason.
Without Need, there would be no Want. Without Want, there would be no Greed. Life is competitive because its only purpose is survival. If no one had to work for mere survival, all of Life’s competitive pursuits could THEN be redirected toward the benefit of the species rather than just the benefit of the individual. Since the species’ greatest advancement with respect toward ending Need and Want has come with its ever increasing technological development, perhaps we should be more accommodating to said technological development. Of all of the economic models History has afforded, the American hybrid of Capitalism/Socialism, with the emphasis on Capitalism, has yielded the greatest surge in technological advancement. Tipping the scales of the hybrid toward a greater emphasis on Socialism would only hinder progress, as it would diminish incentive and innovation. The current political push toward more Socialistic hybrid economic models is actually counter-productive to the goal ending Need, because its principle of wealth redistribution makes the false assumption that wealth is a finite and zero sum gain. That being said, it would be equally counter-productive to return to a heavier Capitalistic emphasis as well, because it would be less effective at raising the standard of living for all members of society, as we saw during the Industrial Age.The recent shift toward more Socialism in the last few decades of American politics, especially with the hard push of the last decade, has put our successful economic model at risk. Individual Identity Politics aside, the current administration’s push toward correcting that balance back in favor of Capitalism will actually encourage a more rapid development of the technology needed to attain our goal of ending Need and Want.Before you start accusing others of selfishness and greed, examine your own motivations.Better to weed out governmental excesses of corruption, and institute better standards of accountability.
That’s not the money about which we need to worry. It’s the ability of Congressmen to repay favors by throwing tax dollars back at supporters that makes it worthwhile to buy them. A few thousand to buy votes and make millions is cheap and doesn’t cost me anything. Spending billions to get that few thousands in “bribes” is really expensive and costs me plenty. And, of course, I can just refuse to vote for the guys who are crooked, so they don’t have any power then anyway.
The benefit of ‘buying’ a politician would be trivial IF the the power of our government was again restricted to the enumerated powers found in a simple, literal reading of our Constitution. Almost all of the ability politicians have to to dole out favors to businesses or individuals derives from government doing that the Constitution does not explicitly empower it to do.
The money is in politics because the government has more power than it was ever supposed to have. If people really want to get the money out of politics they need to get the power out of Washington. Lower the stakes in our elections, and buying seats in Congress will be a less lucrative investment.
Actually, a lot of the time they don’t seem to be bribes so much as protection money; you give money to those in power to ensure that you have access to them and in hopes they won’t do things that will adversely affect you.
Hence why Donald Trump has been the best president next to Reagan (on his way to #1 though) in a century. This is also why other politicians and “king makers” hate him- he cannot be bought off, and because of this, he does not care about the liberal media- and ooh how they hate him for that.
Hmmm, I like my freedom to donate to the politician of my choice. When big unions,trial lawyers, hollywood and rest of liberal money machine stops spending billions to get socialists elected, give me a call. Till then long live our natural right to freedom of speech and Citizens United’s recognition that the constitution protects that natural right to speak and spend money freely in support of your views.
They all fall prey to bribes, uhhh, “contributions.” Even St. John McCain, while decrying the influence of special interests in Washington, was in the hip pocket of telecom industry lobbyists. Do as I say…
Rat’s “Government 101” is entertaining, and true to an extent, but he over-simplifies and make the easily swayed, like Pig, think Things Will Get Better. Wait around a while and see, Pig….
Both parties are forced to seek these legal bribes to finance their campaigns. The rules of the game are dictated by the elitist Supreme Court, which has changed the meaning of the word ‘person’ to mean ‘corporation’ and changed the meaning of the word ‘speech’ to mean ‘money’. However, the Dem Party Platform seeks to fix the problem and the GOP Party Platform seeks to make it worse. If conservatives want to conserve our republic, they need to make corruption their top issue. They need to force the GOP to overturn Citizens United or they need to vote for Dems.
Here’s two sentences from the National Dem’s platform (see page 22)
“Democrats support a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s decisions in Citizens United and Buckley v. Valeo. We need to end secret, unaccountable money in politics by requiring, through executive order or legislation, significantly more disclosure and transparency—by outside groups, federal contractors, and public corporations to their shareholders.”
BE THIS GUY over 5 years ago
Pig, senators don’t dance for single dollar bills.
FREEDOM! over 5 years ago
Be the congressman if you wanna be a billionare, the “campaign contributions” come in the millions.
knight1192a over 5 years ago
Sadly I’m forced to agree with Rat. It has become easier to become a billionaire than to get money out of politics. And that’s not just the U.S., it’s the world over.
sirbadger over 5 years ago
Trump was supposed to be so rich that he didn’t need bribes. Unfortunately, he needs for foreign leaders to buy condos from him.
Bilan over 5 years ago
This is so 20th century. Now the billionaires just run for office themselves and use Citizens United to manipulate our votes.
ShawnJovian over 5 years ago
Ok so recent Sunday strips have been rehashing shady politician stories with the same theme… money and incompetence. These Sunday strips used to be entertaining…
willispate over 5 years ago
to paraphrase Goose the Pelican for Panel 1: Stuff it McBacon!
Jesy Bertz Premium Member over 5 years ago
According to the Supreme Court, campaign contributions constitute “Free Speech”. Because, you know, money talks.
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member over 5 years ago
That is what the Supremes have given us, under the guise of free speech. But that alone is not enough for the Repugs, who feel compelled to go after the one countervailing force with a chance of standing up to their financial onslaught – unions. They are systematically depriving unions of revenue and bargaining power.
A good argument can be made that unions are what kept the USA away from a much more communist-oriented political structure during the Depression, by being able to effectively counter the overwhelming market power of the major industrialists of the age; Carnegie, Rockefeller, Morgan, etc. But the unionists had to pay with their lives to earn the rights that the Repugs are now trying to take away. Men and women died in the streets. If we keep going down the path we are on, we are going to see the same things again.
I don’t deny that unions grew too powerful and corrupt over time. They needed to see that economic cycles are just that – cyclical – and adapt accordingly. They did not. Now the wealthy, pro-corporate side is making the same mistake of pressing their advantage to the detriment of all. No one wins. No one ever wins in any permanent sense. Yet we foolish humans perpetuate this self-destructive pattern of offense and revenge. It takes place all over the world, certainly. The only way mankind can survive long-term is to learn to stop this behavior, to listen to facts rather than emotions, to give science its due and let history be a guide but not a template. To forgive others. We’re all in this together and, as Ben Franklin said:“Gentlemen, we must all hang together, or we shall most assuredly all hang separately.”
Breadboard over 5 years ago
No money needed for a Croc……..just a Zebra !
matthew over 5 years ago
People only buy politicians because it’s worth it. Start taking some of the power away from the politicians and fewer people will try to buy them. We had a limited government with checks and balances where it was difficult to pass and enact laws for a reason.
Masterskrain Premium Member over 5 years ago
How did Rat get SO SMART as to how Government REALLY WORKS nowadays??
Lenavid over 5 years ago
Without Need, there would be no Want. Without Want, there would be no Greed. Life is competitive because its only purpose is survival. If no one had to work for mere survival, all of Life’s competitive pursuits could THEN be redirected toward the benefit of the species rather than just the benefit of the individual. Since the species’ greatest advancement with respect toward ending Need and Want has come with its ever increasing technological development, perhaps we should be more accommodating to said technological development. Of all of the economic models History has afforded, the American hybrid of Capitalism/Socialism, with the emphasis on Capitalism, has yielded the greatest surge in technological advancement. Tipping the scales of the hybrid toward a greater emphasis on Socialism would only hinder progress, as it would diminish incentive and innovation. The current political push toward more Socialistic hybrid economic models is actually counter-productive to the goal ending Need, because its principle of wealth redistribution makes the false assumption that wealth is a finite and zero sum gain. That being said, it would be equally counter-productive to return to a heavier Capitalistic emphasis as well, because it would be less effective at raising the standard of living for all members of society, as we saw during the Industrial Age.The recent shift toward more Socialism in the last few decades of American politics, especially with the hard push of the last decade, has put our successful economic model at risk. Individual Identity Politics aside, the current administration’s push toward correcting that balance back in favor of Capitalism will actually encourage a more rapid development of the technology needed to attain our goal of ending Need and Want.Before you start accusing others of selfishness and greed, examine your own motivations.Better to weed out governmental excesses of corruption, and institute better standards of accountability.
Cameron1988 Premium Member over 5 years ago
Goobermint 101
wllilly1960 over 5 years ago
…Obviously Stephan hates freedom. Bil
Brass Orchid Premium Member over 5 years ago
That’s not the money about which we need to worry. It’s the ability of Congressmen to repay favors by throwing tax dollars back at supporters that makes it worthwhile to buy them. A few thousand to buy votes and make millions is cheap and doesn’t cost me anything. Spending billions to get that few thousands in “bribes” is really expensive and costs me plenty. And, of course, I can just refuse to vote for the guys who are crooked, so they don’t have any power then anyway.
mail2jbl over 5 years ago
Well, this explains in part why the Republicans won’t defund Planned Parenthood or repeal Obamacare.
mjb515 over 5 years ago
Getting money out of politics always means getting free speech and the right to petition the government out of politics.
LKrueger41 over 5 years ago
The benefit of ‘buying’ a politician would be trivial IF the the power of our government was again restricted to the enumerated powers found in a simple, literal reading of our Constitution. Almost all of the ability politicians have to to dole out favors to businesses or individuals derives from government doing that the Constitution does not explicitly empower it to do.
Radish the wordsmith over 5 years ago
The republicans get bribes from Koch Coal so they ignore global warming so they can keep collecting bribes.
jmwe29 over 5 years ago
Anyone see this Shoe? https://www.gocomics.com/shoe/2018/08/29?ct=v&cti=2009624
rs0204 Premium Member over 5 years ago
I heard a funny thing on Meet the Press. The only one draining the Swamp is Mueller. Trump is hiring, excusing and pardoning the swamp.
the lost wizard over 5 years ago
This is pig’s first lesson in Pork Barrel politics.
McGehee over 5 years ago
The money is in politics because the government has more power than it was ever supposed to have. If people really want to get the money out of politics they need to get the power out of Washington. Lower the stakes in our elections, and buying seats in Congress will be a less lucrative investment.
hooglah over 5 years ago
Trump is trying…the liberal Democrats can’t afford to let him do it.
willie_mctell over 5 years ago
How a Bill Becomes a Law
scpandich over 5 years ago
Actually, a lot of the time they don’t seem to be bribes so much as protection money; you give money to those in power to ensure that you have access to them and in hopes they won’t do things that will adversely affect you.
jd wigman over 5 years ago
how about george soros owning the democratic party…. an has for the last 20 + years
bigal666 over 5 years ago
That’s why cannibis will never come off of schedule 1. Big Pharm has suitcases full of $100.00 bills to hand out to every congressman.
danketaz Premium Member over 5 years ago
How come no one ever tries bribing me?
Zippy007 over 5 years ago
Hence why Donald Trump has been the best president next to Reagan (on his way to #1 though) in a century. This is also why other politicians and “king makers” hate him- he cannot be bought off, and because of this, he does not care about the liberal media- and ooh how they hate him for that.
#MAGA#2020
Brain Pudding over 5 years ago
Hmmm, I like my freedom to donate to the politician of my choice. When big unions,trial lawyers, hollywood and rest of liberal money machine stops spending billions to get socialists elected, give me a call. Till then long live our natural right to freedom of speech and Citizens United’s recognition that the constitution protects that natural right to speak and spend money freely in support of your views.
Guilty Bystander over 5 years ago
They all fall prey to bribes, uhhh, “contributions.” Even St. John McCain, while decrying the influence of special interests in Washington, was in the hip pocket of telecom industry lobbyists. Do as I say…
Sisyphos over 5 years ago
Rat’s “Government 101” is entertaining, and true to an extent, but he over-simplifies and make the easily swayed, like Pig, think Things Will Get Better. Wait around a while and see, Pig….
well-i-never over 5 years ago
Geez, I enjoy Pig!
lindz.coop Premium Member over 5 years ago
Definitely right that becoming a billionaire is easier than getting the money out of politics.
JimCrist over 5 years ago
Both parties are forced to seek these legal bribes to finance their campaigns. The rules of the game are dictated by the elitist Supreme Court, which has changed the meaning of the word ‘person’ to mean ‘corporation’ and changed the meaning of the word ‘speech’ to mean ‘money’. However, the Dem Party Platform seeks to fix the problem and the GOP Party Platform seeks to make it worse. If conservatives want to conserve our republic, they need to make corruption their top issue. They need to force the GOP to overturn Citizens United or they need to vote for Dems.
Here’s two sentences from the National Dem’s platform (see page 22)
http://s3.amazonaws.com/…/Downloads/2016_DNC_Platform.pdf
“Democrats support a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s decisions in Citizens United and Buckley v. Valeo. We need to end secret, unaccountable money in politics by requiring, through executive order or legislation, significantly more disclosure and transparency—by outside groups, federal contractors, and public corporations to their shareholders.”
++++++++++++++++++
GOP platform 2016 (see page 12):
https://prod-static-ngop-pbl.s3.amazonaws.com/media/documents/DRAFT_12_FINAL%5b1%5d-ben_1468872234.pdf
“We support repeal of federal restrictions on political parties in McCain-Feingold, raising or repealing contribution limits…”