I congratulate our new Chinese overlords

[Ben Kenobi]

"The influence of money in politics is to be ignored because, in 1896, William Jennings Bryan wanted to switch the dollar from gold to silver. That upset banks. They spent a lot of money to defeat him. But don't worry, banks don't involve themselves in the political process anymore. Just like racism, corruption in American politics is solved.

Yes, Virginia, Banks only support Republicans! That's why racist republican Wilson established the central bank of the United States.

[AAAAAAAAH!]

wow nice strawman
tardface

[Dinner]

Exactly. None of this is new. People who think the world is getting worse just don't know how bad the world used to be.

No, you're wrong. The late 19th century was so corrupt that we passed a lot of anti-corruption and campaign finance laws, laws which cleaned things up remarkably for a full century, but now corrupt Republicans are removing all of them. I especially speak about the corrupt, politically motivated and politically nominated judges on the high court. They really are completely illegitimate political puppets at this point; they've done that much damage to the court system by ignoring the laws and simply ruling according to political goals.

[Felch]

Because the Supreme Court never had politically motivated and nominated judges before?

Because you think there wasn't any corruption or criminality in politics during the 20th century?

[Dinner]

The court used to be more independent where as now we have corrupt pieces of **** like Scalia who won't excuse himself on cases which his own wife is involved in. Yes, the partisan political nature and ideological litmus tests are much, much, much worse than ever before plus we now have ****bags like Scalia going to political events, fund raising for his wife's hyper partisan organization, and practically getting his marching orders for how he should rule. This is a whole new world of corruption and the sooner they're jailed, booted out, or executed the better the country will be.

[Felch]

You are completely ignorant of the history of this country. The Supreme Court has always been twisted and evil. Scalia is no anomaly.

I'm also shocked and appalled at your contempt of the first amendment.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

No honest person can reconcile that restriction with campaign finance legislation. Campaign finance legislation is a tool meant to stifle free speech, free press, peaceable assembly, and the right to petition the Government. Furthermore, it wasn't passed in response to the excesses of the 19th century, but rather in 1972, long after the WJB campaign was crushed under a wall of cash.

But go ahead and spread your idiocy, Oerdin. It's interesting to see the lies of HuffPo and MSNBC regurgitated.

[Sava]

Exactly. None of this is new. People who think the world is getting worse just don't know how bad the world used to be.

Knowing how bad the world was helps in determining whether or not things are getting worse now.

[Sava]

Scalia is no anomaly.

So far, you are the only one to suggest that he was... by arguing against it.... when nobody suggested it.

imaginary arguments are great

4.2/10

[AAAAAAAAH!]

You are completely ignorant of the history of this country. The Supreme Court has always been twisted and evil. Scalia is no anomaly.

I'm also shocked and appalled at your contempt of the first amendment.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

No honest person can reconcile that restriction with campaign finance legislation. Campaign finance legislation is a tool meant to stifle free speech, free press, peaceable assembly, and the right to petition the Government. Furthermore, it wasn't passed in response to the excesses of the 19th century, but rather in 1972, long after the WJB campaign was crushed under a wall of cash.

But go ahead and spread your idiocy, Oerdin. It's interesting to see the lies of HuffPo and MSNBC regurgitated.

Yes, campaign finance reform wasn't passed in 1972 in response to the excesses of the 19th century. It was a response to excesses of the 60s and 70s. Like you said, the country has always been corrupt.

[Felch]

So far, you are the only one to suggest that he was... by arguing against it.... when nobody suggested it.

imaginary arguments are great

4.2/10

You must have Oerdin on ignore.

The court used to be more independent where as now we have corrupt pieces of **** like Scalia who won't excuse himself on cases which his own wife is involved in. Yes, the partisan political nature and ideological litmus tests are much, much, much worse than ever before plus we now have ****bags like Scalia going to political events, fund raising for his wife's hyper partisan organization, and practically getting his marching orders for how he should rule. This is a whole new world of corruption and the sooner they're jailed, booted out, or executed the better the country will be.

You can see him mention Scalia twice by name, and attempt to contrast him with the "more independent" court that existed in Oerdin's imagination.

[Felch]

Yes, campaign finance reform wasn't passed in 1972 in response to the excesses of the 19th century. It was a response to excesses of the 60s and 70s. Like you said, the country has always been corrupt.

Absolutely. People act like this is new, as if Nixon never existed.

[Felch]

As bad as Scalia is, he does occasionally get things right.

[Ben Kenobi]

No honest person can reconcile that restriction with campaign finance legislation. Campaign finance legislation is a tool meant to stifle free speech, free press, peaceable assembly, and the right to petition the Government. Furthermore, it wasn't passed in response to the excesses of the 19th century, but rather in 1972, long after the WJB campaign was crushed under a wall of cash.

What are your thoughts on anonymous donations, Felch?

[Felch]

I honestly feel that people should be allowed to donate as much as they want, but that all donations should be documented. That way you know who belongs to who.

[Dinner]

I'm going to side with the vast majority of people when I say money isn't speech, it's a bribe, and both the briber and bribee belong in prison. Sure, knowing which corrupt politician is owned by which corrupt lobbying group would be nice but the end result should be putting people behind bars or simply hanging them. Corruption in public office is one of the worst crimes possible against the people so there really should be executions. There won't but there should be.

Back on topic, that's one thing the Chinese government got right.