{"id":1437,"date":"2012-04-10T19:12:35","date_gmt":"2012-04-11T02:12:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theswillbucket.com\/?p=1437"},"modified":"2012-07-03T16:26:06","modified_gmt":"2012-07-03T23:26:06","slug":"an-editorial-by-we-the-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/theswillbucket.com\/?p=1437","title":{"rendered":"A call to action: a dysfunctional government needs active citizenry"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written by Peter J. Denney<\/em><\/p>\n

Franklin Delano Roosevelt once wrote in a private letter written during his presidency, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Presidents are not elected, they are selected.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d This moment of candor in Roosevelt\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s own correspondence not only illuminates the politics behind the presidency, but the economics as well. Today, the economics manifest as campaign contributions that now pay for television air-time, as well as the radio and newspaper \u00e2\u20ac\u0153promotion\u00e2\u20ac\u009d of candidates for political office.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, it has become apparent that this economic promotion, i.e. funding of political leaders, permeates the legislative branch as well. This was never made more obvious than when the Supreme Court reversed a decision it had made some 20 years earlier, and by a 5-4 margin \u00e2\u20ac\u0153legalized\u00e2\u20ac\u009d unlimited campaign contributions. Today the result is that never before have our state representatives, as well as our president, become so \u00e2\u20ac\u0153indebted\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to large campaign contributors, i.e. corporations and special interests. In fact, ever since the passing of the 17th Amendment, our state representatives have effectively been insulated from immediate recall, which has occurred in the course of our nation\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s history when their actions in Washington clearly did not represent their constituents.<\/p>\n

The word \u00e2\u20ac\u0153constituents\u00e2\u20ac\u009d itself has little meaning to senators and congresspersons who now pay little if any regard to the constitution itself. We can thank lobbyists as well for that. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s amazing how far a little \u00e2\u20ac\u0153quid pro quo\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or an envelope filled with \u00e2\u20ac\u0153fifties\u00e2\u20ac\u009d can go towards the dismantling of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153separation of powers\u00e2\u20ac\u009d nowadays. The result, if not due to the aforementioned, is due to greed, ignorance or laziness. For whatever reason, many have willfully turned a blind eye to the work the constitution demands they perform. The congress has willingly signed off on the bulk of their duty, the most important of which used to be their responsibility to preside over appropriations and to regulate our nation\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s currency. Long before lobbying (legalized bribery) began\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6I wonder who was paid how much to help pass the Federal Reserve Act?<\/p>\n

The average citizen, also ignorant and lazy regarding the role they serve in preserving a Republic under rule of law, only know that the will of the vast majority, not just a narrow majority, is now being ignored in Washington. But, unlike their representatives, a vast majority of U.S. citizens find themselves painted into an \u00e2\u20ac\u0153economic corner\u00e2\u20ac\u009d that leaves little time for active participation in government.<\/p>\n

The game being played here is like the old \u00e2\u20ac\u0153slight of hand.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Political \u00e2\u20ac\u0153footballs\u00e2\u20ac\u009d like abortion, gun-control, illegal-immigration, etc., get tossed around and then are highlighted by the media. This is all designed to give us an illusion that there are two sides to the battle. We are supposed to decide which side, the Republicans or the Democrats, deserve our vote every 2-4 years. But when one looks objectively at policy<\/span> over the course of the last few administrations, as well as majorities in the house and senates during those administrations, the truth becomes obvious that there is a continuation of only one<\/span> policy wherever it is deemed most important.<\/p>\n

Consider this\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6what percentage of Americans do you think want peace? What percentage of Americans want a total withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan? The latest polls average near 70%. Would you call that \u00e2\u20ac\u0153overwhelming majority\u00e2\u20ac\u009d worth political debating? How about a balanced budget? Would you say that only a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153narrow majority\u00e2\u20ac\u009d of Americans favor cutting military spending, as opposed to cutting social security? In 2010, after two years under Obama, our military budget was 750 billion dollars. Adjusted for inflation, this is the highest in over two generations, ever since the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153cold war\u00e2\u20ac\u009d began immediately following WWII. This staggering figure does not include expenditures for things like Homeland Security, military aid to other countries, V\/A care and NASA projects that are military in nature.<\/p>\n

Now nearly 4 years since we elected a president whose campaign slogan was \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Change We Can Believe In\u00e2\u20ac\u009d consider the things that are \u00e2\u20ac\u0153unchanged\u00e2\u20ac\u009d when compared to the George W. Bush administration. These figures reflect Obama\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s first two years in office.<\/p>\n

1)\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Reported by the Census Bureau on September 16th<\/sup>, 2010, poverty in America rose to 43.6 million in 2009, an increase of 3.8 million.<\/p>\n

2)\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 On March 31, 2009, Bloomberg reports that the U.S. Federal government and the Federal Reserve have spent, lent or committed 12.8 TRILLION to the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153bailouts.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Paid for by future taxation, this represents the largest transfer of wealth in human history.<\/p>\n

3)\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 On March 16th<\/sup>, 2010, the Huffington Post reports that the Obama Administration has dramatically increased government secrecy \u00e2\u20ac\u0153blocking more freedom of information requests in 2009 than Bush in 2008.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

4)\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 On March 1st<\/sup>, 2010, the Christian Science Monitor reports that Obama \u00e2\u20ac\u0153extends the Patriot Act without making any reforms\u00e2\u20ac\u009d totally the opposite of his campaign rhetoric.<\/p>\n

5)\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 On June 11th<\/sup>, 2010, the N.Y. Times reports that the Obama Administration has already cracked down on government whistleblowers more than any previous president.<\/p>\n

6)\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 On March 16th<\/sup>, 2010, the N.Y. Times reports that Obama has cut a secret deal with insurance and pharmaceutical companies to kill the watered down \u00e2\u20ac\u0153public option\u00e2\u20ac\u009d while simultaneously campaigning on its behalf. Today we are witnessing legislation that would have fines levied against those who can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t afford health insurance to begin with.<\/p>\n

7)\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 On June 10th<\/sup>, 2010, the Huffington Post reports that Obama uses a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153signing statement\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (again, something he said he would NOT do while campaigning) to ignore labor and environmental standards for the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and World Bank.<\/p>\n

8)\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 On May 13th<\/sup>, 2010, the N.Y. Times reports that the Obama Administration has given BP (British Petroleum) and other oil companies permits exempting them from environmental protection laws.<\/p>\n

9)\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Appoints Eric Holder as Attorney General. Holder had previously served as a lawyer for Chiquita Brands International when it was charged with funding death squads in Columbia. (Source: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Counter-Punch\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\/November 19th<\/sup>, 2008) Today we are witnessing an effort to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153squelch\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the story of illegal arms smuggling by the ATF under his direction.<\/p>\n

10)\u00c2\u00a0 Appoints former Monsanto Lobbyist Michael Taylor as America\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Food Safety Czar.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Named by Jeffrey Smith (author, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Seeds of Deception\u00e2\u20ac\u009d) \u00e2\u20ac\u0153the most evil corporation in the world\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Monsanto \u00e2\u20ac\u0153provides seeds for 90% of the world\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s genetically modified crops.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (Source: Huffington Post\/July 23, 2009) The U.S. remains totally exempt from labeling laws, thanks to heavy lobbying by Monsanto.<\/p>\n

So, what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the point here? It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s simply this: In matters that truly affect \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We the People\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the policy has always been one, and only one\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6namely to provide rent to the rent-seekers while \u00e2\u20ac\u0153repaying\u00e2\u20ac\u009d those who helped them (the politicians) get there, first and foremost.<\/p>\n

As this election draws nearer, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We the People\u00e2\u20ac\u009d have to wake up. This does NOT mean voting for (or against) any individual in particular, or any party in general. It means it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s time to become active in citizenry once again, as we were when we formed this great nation. We need to become active in our own government\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6and we have all seen the result of believing that this means merely getting out to vote every 2-4 years.<\/p>\n

It means investigating WHO is supporting WHO by way of large campaign contributions. It means learning more about what those supporters represent; whether they are corporations or wealthy persons who have their own, personal special interest. Their \u00e2\u20ac\u0153choices\u00e2\u20ac\u009d will most likely serve their<\/span> interests long before these candidates consider their \u00e2\u20ac\u0153constituents.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

In the meantime, our state representatives will continue to do things like delineating their authority to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153international administrative law courts,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d introducing legislation that makes a mockery of our Bill of Rights, while failing to see the devastating effects trade agreements like NAFTA and GATT have had on the average American. They will continue to be willfully blinded to the consequences of their past actions but will see \u00e2\u20ac\u0153green\u00e2\u20ac\u009d clear as day. They will continue to be deaf to the voices of their constituents, but, just like a person who is both deaf and blind, can live with holding out their hand in hope that it gets filled with something. But the worst may be yet to come; for if \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We the People\u00e2\u20ac\u009d fail to recognize not only the deterioration of our sworn representatives\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 performance, but in our own as citizens as well, the America we have known and loved will become unrecognizable in the not-so-distant future.<\/p>\n

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Written by Peter J. Denney Franklin Delano Roosevelt once wrote in a private letter written during his presidency, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Presidents are not elected, they are selected.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d This moment of candor in Roosevelt\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s own correspondence not only illuminates the politics behind the presidency, but the economics as well. Today, the economics manifest as campaign contributions that now […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1tQeJ-nb","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6669,"url":"http:\/\/theswillbucket.com\/?p=6669","url_meta":{"origin":1437,"position":0},"title":"America’s Great Divide: Steve Bannon, 1st Interview | FRONTLINE","author":"Shawn Hamilton","date":"November 2, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Steve Bannon is a media executive and political strategist. 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