Bernie Sanders exposes billionaires who are buying US government.

[notyoueither]

Nothing. What is somewhat problematic is that some people, by virtue of obscene amounts of wealth, are far more capable of convincing others to vote than you or I are; but what is far worse than that is that those same people can convince elected representatives how to vote by virtue of their wealth, and the representatives' need for money to remain representatives.

Would it be better if the number of people who have the resources and opportunity to affect broad public opinion be restricted to those who own and work in media?

How is a larger group of people influencing elections worse than the era of Hearst?

[Jaguar]

The logical conclusion of your argument is that we should ban the New York Times from covering politics. They have a much bigger platform than you do.

Edit: NYE beat me by a minute.

[Guynemer]

Dude. Seriously. Read what I wrote.

I said there is no goddamned solution. I don't want to ban anything, because those are all different flavors of **** lollipops.

THERE IS NO SOLUTION. There is still a goddamned problem.

Noteworthy that neither of you addressed the second part of my post.

[Kuciwalker]

Nothing. What is somewhat problematic is that some people, by virtue of obscene amounts of wealth, are far more capable of convincing others to vote than you or I are; but what is far worse than that is that those same people can convince elected representatives how to vote by virtue of their wealth, and the representatives' need for money to remain representatives.

Lots and lots of people are far more capable of convincing others to vote than you or I. Should Paul Krugman be muzzled?

[Hauldren Collider]

Why is it a problem that some people have bigger voices than others?

[Guynemer]

x-post on the edit.


jesus ****ing christ.

[Kuciwalker]

Dude. Seriously. Read what I wrote.

I said there is no goddamned solution. I don't want to ban anything, because those are all different flavors of **** lollipops.

THERE IS NO SOLUTION. There is still a goddamned problem.

Can you actually imagine a universe in which it isn't true? If you can't, how can it be a "problem"?

[Jaguar]

On the second part of your post, that you wish I had addressed.

Politicians' self-interested calculus for re-election depends entirely on votes, as it should. If someone can convince sixty others to vote with him, then great.

[Guynemer]

Nope. Done. Out. Catch y'all on the flip.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Should Paul Krugman be muzzled?

[Jaguar]

Nope. Done. Out. Catch y'all on the flip.

There was xposting. I edited to address what you wanted me to address.

[notyoueither]

Dude. Seriously. Read what I wrote.

I said there is no goddamned solution. I don't want to ban anything, because those are all different flavors of **** lollipops.

THERE IS NO SOLUTION. There is still a goddamned problem.

Noteworthy that neither of you addressed the second part of my post.

I thought about that and thought about adding an edit, but didn't.

The jist of it would have been that your argument seems to assume a monolithic set of interests promoted by those with the wealth and opportunity to influence. I don't think that is the case, and to the extent that it is it is better to have a larger group of people doing the influencing so that there may be a broader set of interests promoted. Again, cf the era of Hearst. SOME are going to have influence out of step with their ability to cast a single ballot. If so, then we should want the group of SOME to be larger than smaller. Yes?

[rah]

As long as Media Celebrities can influence voters through their fame (Generally Demorats) I see no difference with letting the rich trying to do the same with their money. (Generally Repugs)
Both are propaganda which work best on the general masses.

[Guynemer]

I am not so naive to think that the rich only promote the GOP.

Both parties are corrupt top-to-bottom, bought and paid for.

[rah]

That's why I said Generally.
And yes, both parties are bought and paid for. Elections take money and publicity.