Is politics just a big scam to make it look like the people rule?

[renard_ruse]

Its amazing how most people fall for the scam.

The only people who "win" from politics are politicians and corrupt special interests.

Its just a show for the masses to make them think they have some say in what happens and to give legitimacy to the ruling establishment.

 

[Sean Renaud]

It would in no way surprise me.

 

[BotanyBoy]

Yes it is.

That's why DJT v HRC = WWE matchup.

It's nothing but entertainment for the masses.

 

[Colonel Hogan]

I get a monthly check from Social Security.

My healthcare is basically covered by Medicare.

I can drive most anywhere in the United States on an Interstate Highway for free.

The FAA air traffic control system keeps commercial aircraft from crashing into each other, especially in the worst possible weather.

Speaking of weather, the National Weather Service issues severe weather alerts that can save lives at a moments notice.

The United States Coast Guard also does a pretty good job of pulling people's asses out of trouble.

Ever been to a national park? They're nice.

Ever camped out for free on public BLM land? I have. Pretty sweet deal.

I don't get healthcare from the VA, but those who do deserve it.

Let's see, what other government scams can we bitch about....

 

[eyerami]

Someone needs to tell all the rioters that Corporal Butthurt is bogarting all the Uncle Cracker Privilege Juice.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

Politics is a necessary outcome of coming together and agreeing to cooperating for mutual benefit under a system of rules.

There is never going to be a unanimity of agreement as to the rules, so all such systems are born with inherent conflicts and must be solved through a political process.

 

[Mike_Yates]

Its amazing how most people fall for the scam.

The only people who "win" from politics are politicians and corrupt special interests.

Its just a show for the masses to make them think they have some say in what happens and to give legitimacy to the ruling establishment.

It is.

All governments are run by large multinational corporations.

 

[Sean Renaud]

I get a monthly check from Social Security.

My healthcare is basically covered by Medicare.

I can drive most anywhere in the United States on an Interstate Highway for free.

The FAA air traffic control system keeps commercial aircraft from crashing into each other, especially in the worst possible weather.

Speaking of weather, the National Weather Service issues severe weather alerts that can save lives at a moments notice.

The United States Coast Guard also does a pretty good job of pulling people's asses out of trouble.

Ever been to a national park? They're nice.

Ever camped out for free on public BLM land? I have. Pretty sweet deal.

I don't get healthcare from the VA, but those who do deserve it.

Let's see, what other government scams can we bitch about....

The argument, as I understand it maybe I'm giving Renard too much credit, isn't that the government is doing a terrible job. It's that we really do have a cabal in charge and they make this big show of voting because it's been proven that voting gives a government a certain amount of legitimacy. As long as the people THINK they have a choice they won't rise up.

 

[Colonel Hogan]

The argument, as I understand it maybe I'm giving Renard too much credit, isn't that the government is doing a terrible job. It's that we really do have a cabal in charge and they make this big show of voting because it's been proven that voting gives a government a certain amount of legitimacy. As long as the people THINK they have a choice they won't rise up.

If this is the argument, then imho someone has to do a far better job of making it.

Cabal? Who are the self-perpetuating members?

If we had a cabal we would have never had a black President? Seriously. Are you kidding me? And if the "cabal" was going to bless and elevate one of it's minority members to such a position, it certainly would not have been a wet-behind-the-ears first term senator from Illinois!!

Meanwhile, we appear to have two cabals who can't seem to spend enough time undercutting each other to the supreme detriment of getting almost anything done for the greater good. Or is that infighting/gridlock also just an illusion and part of the show?

Many years ago I worked in local government alongside Mitch McConnell. Outside the Louisville metro area his name was nothing in the state of Kentucky. When he ran against Walter "Dee" Huddleston for the Senate, McConnell was losing badly up until the last week of the election when a series of clever TV ads pushed him over the top. How is it that the "CABAL" so miserably failed the loyal incumbent Huddleston?

Fast forward to 2011 when Rand Paul ran for the seat of departing Kentucky Senator Jim Bunning. While Paul had been active in his father's (Ron Paul) political campaigns and affairs, Rand had never ran for political office before his U. S. Senate race. He was merely a Bowling Green Opthamologist and a political outsider in Kentucky. In the Republican senatorial primary, Paul was up against the then most recent Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson who, in addition to having served nearly two full terms, had the backing of notable members of the state and national Republican "CABAL" including (by now) Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, former Vice President Dick Cheney, former presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani, Senator Rick Santorum, Representative Hal Rogers, and several members of Kentucky's state legislature.

Paul defeated Grayson by a margin of 23%. In the general election in a heavily Democratic state, Paul defeated Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway by a 12% margin. Apparently "CABALS" aren't what they used to be or Kentucky voters were either blissfully unaware or appropriately contemptuous of the "CABAL'S" uncompromising demands.

But here is the clincher. In a political circus that, according to the political conspiratorial alarmists, is "up for the highest bidder," the "CABAL" apparently can't decide whether it is pro- or anti-abortion; gun control or anti-gun control, pro-environmentalist or "drill-baby-drill." Corporate PAC money flows rather freely to both extremes of the most contentious issues.

NOW IF THAT DOESN'T REPRESENT POPULIST "CHOICE" THEN WHAT THE HELL DOES???

You telling me corporate America doesn't care about these issues??? BULLSHIT!!! The nation's insurance companies, AND the Republican Party together could not stop Obamacare. And God knows they tried.

You want me to believe Wall Street is itself the "CABAL"??? BULLSHIT!!! All Wall Street does is constantly bet against itself. While half the traders are selling short, the other half are going long. And who are those traders trading FOR?? Primarily pension funds and investment groups, all of which, represent individual shareholders in one form or another.

So I repeat (but don't really expect an intelligent much less persuasive answer), who IS this "CABAL" specifically, and what specific outcomes do they ensure the rest of us NEVER have any control over?

That the rich never go broke? (see Bear Stearns)

That the fat cat frauds never go to prison? (see Bernie Madoff)

Does the lack of a "CABAL" mean that justice is always done and that white collar criminals who should be held responsible always are? No, of course not. But at the very least, if the "CABAL" can't reliably predict who it will protect, what good is it???

Jesus, how long is the rogues gallery list now? Nixon, Haldeman, Ehrlichman, Agnew, Mitchell, Dan Rostenkowski, Bob Packwood, Jim Traficant, Jesse Jackson, Jr., Dennis Hastert, David Patraeus. (For more, see here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_federal_politicians_convicted_of_crimes#1969.E2.80.931974_.28Nixon_.28R.29_presidency.29)

If that's how well the "CABAL" protects its own, why the hell would you want to join, and if you nonetheless chose to and decided to play fast and loose with the law, what guarantees would you have that YOUR ASS wouldn't get bit as hard as a host of wise guys who went before you?

"CABAL" my ass!!

 

[eyerami]

Many years ago I worked in local government alongside Mitch McConnell.

RINO translation:

I carried his spittoon.

 

[LiFeNdEaTh]

interesting topic

 

[Colonel Hogan]

RINO translation:

I carried his spittoon.

Not that close.

 

[eyerami]

Is politics just a big scam to make it look like the people rule?

Actually, politics is simply something wannabes like Corporal RINO Butthurt fabricate to take up some time after they've decided how to spend their mommy's SS checks.

 

[wdbtchr]

If this is the argument, then imho someone has to do a far better job of making it.

Cabal? Who are the self-perpetuating members?

If we had a cabal we would have never had a black President? Seriously. Are you kidding me? And if the "cabal" was going to bless and elevate one of it's minority members to such a position, it certainly would not have been a wet-behind-the-ears first term senator from Illinois!!

Meanwhile, we appear to have two cabals who can't seem to spend enough time undercutting each other to the supreme detriment of getting almost anything done for the greater good. Or is that infighting/gridlock also just an illusion and part of the show?

Many years ago I worked in local government alongside Mitch McConnell. Outside the Louisville metro area his name was nothing in the state of Kentucky. When he ran against Walter "Dee" Huddleston for the Senate, McConnell was losing badly up until the last week of the election when a series of clever TV ads pushed him over the top. How is it that the "CABAL" so miserably failed the loyal incumbent Huddleston?

Fast forward to 2011 when Rand Paul ran for the seat of departing Kentucky Senator Jim Bunning. While Paul had been active in his father's (Ron Paul) political campaigns and affairs, Rand had never ran for political office before his U. S. Senate race. He was merely a Bowling Green Opthamologist and a political outsider in Kentucky. In the Republican senatorial primary, Paul was up against the then most recent Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson who, in addition to having served nearly two full terms, had the backing of notable members of the state and national Republican "CABAL" including (by now) Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, former Vice President Dick Cheney, former presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani, Senator Rick Santorum, Representative Hal Rogers, and several members of Kentucky's state legislature.

Paul defeated Grayson by a margin of 23%. In the general election in a heavily Democratic state, Paul defeated Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway by a 12% margin. Apparently "CABALS" aren't what they used to be or Kentucky voters were either blissfully unaware or appropriately contemptuous of the "CABAL'S" uncompromising demands.

But here is the clincher. In a political circus that, according to the political conspiratorial alarmists, is "up for the highest bidder," the "CABAL" apparently can't decide whether it is pro- or anti-abortion; gun control or anti-gun control, pro-environmentalist or "drill-baby-drill." Corporate PAC money flows rather freely to both extremes of the most contentious issues.

NOW IF THAT DOESN'T REPRESENT POPULIST "CHOICE" THEN WHAT THE HELL DOES???

You telling me corporate America doesn't care about these issues??? BULLSHIT!!! The nation's insurance companies, AND the Republican Party together could not stop Obamacare. And God knows they tried.

You want me to believe Wall Street is itself the "CABAL"??? BULLSHIT!!! All Wall Street does is constantly bet against itself. While half the traders are selling short, the other half are going long. And who are those traders trading FOR?? Primarily pension funds and investment groups, all of which, represent individual shareholders in one form or another.

So I repeat (but don't really expect an intelligent much less persuasive answer), who IS this "CABAL" specifically, and what specific outcomes do they ensure the rest of us NEVER have any control over?

That the rich never go broke? (see Bear Stearns)

That the fat cat frauds never go to prison? (see Bernie Madoff)

Does the lack of a "CABAL" mean that justice is always done and that white collar criminals who should be held responsible always are? No, of course not. But at the very least, if the "CABAL" can't reliably predict who it will protect, what good is it???

Jesus, how long is the rogues gallery list now? Nixon, Haldeman, Ehrlichman, Agnew, Mitchell, Dan Rostenkowski, Bob Packwood, Jim Traficant, Jesse Jackson, Jr., Dennis Hastert, David Patraeus. (For more, see here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_federal_politicians_convicted_of_crimes#1969.E2.80.931974_.28Nixon_.28R.29_presidency.29)

If that's how well the "CABAL" protects its own, why the hell would you want to join, and if you nonetheless chose to and decided to play fast and loose with the law, what guarantees would you have that YOUR ASS wouldn't get bit as hard as a host of wise guys who went before you?

"CABAL" my ass!!

You talk way too much sense to waste time on most of the fools on this board.

 

[eyerami]

You talk way too much sense to waste time on most of the fools on this board.

If that is the case...

...whom, then, is actually the biggest fool?

 

[eyerami]

...

BTW:

After taking a very swift glance at some of your past postings, including you loving guys rubbing up against you in public with their dicks, of you masturbating in public, of you being caught masturbating in public, and other "issues" which would get you arrested and labeled a sex offender...

Can you inform the GB what draws you to favor Corporal RINO Butthurt so much?

 

[Colonel Hogan]

You talk way too much sense to waste time on most of the fools on this board.

But leaving them to talk solely among themselves is how bullshit loses its aroma. It's at the very heart of the polarization of America. Even the mainstream media is now openly partisan, and for those news outlets still trying to play it down the middle, you have to know they've lost millions of eyes and ears to FOX News AND MSNBC.

Talking sense to nonsense is often frustrating to me. But I've noticed on occasion it sometimes gets quieter here after I post. I take that as a possible sign that someone is actually listening and wisely shutting up.

 

[Colonel Hogan]

If that is the case...

...whom, then, is actually the biggest fool?

http://previews.123rf.com/images/yayayoy/yayayoy1211/yayayoy121100001/16215395-Emoticon-making-the-loser-sign-Stock-Vector-smiley-face-cartoon.jpg

 

[Sean Renaud]

But leaving them to talk solely among themselves is how bullshit loses its aroma. It's at the very heart of the polarization of America. Even the mainstream media is now openly partisan, and for those news outlets still trying to play it down the middle, you have to know they've lost millions of eyes and ears to FOX News AND MSNBC.

Talking sense to nonsense is often frustrating to me. But I've noticed on occasion it sometimes gets quieter here after I post. I take that as a possible sign that someone is actually listening and wisely shutting up.

Dear god this. I have found as I search various media outlets that "down the middle" really means calling nobody out no matter how egregious.

 

[Colonel Hogan]

Dear god this. I have found as I search various media outlets that "down the middle" really means calling nobody out no matter how egregious.

But as a former journalism major who has always been pretty much a "down the middle" guy, the key to me is how much "calling out" is reasonable and is it done to the same degree to a candidate's opponent.

When Trump vows to build a wall and make Mexico pay for it, it is wholly appropriate to question HOW he will make Mexico pay for it. It is skirting journalistic responsibility to go looking for any and all opposing "experts" who think the wall itself is a bad idea merely because the journalist ALSO thinks it is a bad idea and is looking for "disinterested parties" to make the argument HE can't ethically make. But only the journalist knows for certain what his motives are in pursuing those other sources. But let's not kid ourselves that it doesn't go on.

Journalists have always struggled with having detrimental "inside knowledge" that wasn't arguably relevant to a candidate's fitness to serve but might nonetheless have been titillating to the reader's at large. President Kennedy's extramarital liaisons come to mind. That "struggle" is far less present today because the media have essentially broadened the "fitness relevancy" definition to include almost all transgressions any media consumer might opt for inclusion.

It is a rather convenient amendment of the journalistic "rules of engagement" because the result just happens to be oh, so marketable.

 

[talldarkfellow]

Kennedys affair with a mob boss' mistress wasn't relevant? Or the hash he made out of presidential security to sneak around?

If that's an example of news judgement, that was pretty obviously a bad one by a bunch of horny old so-called journalists who were indulging their own wish-fulfilment about how many bimbos they would nail if they were JFK.

Screw national security (literally).

 

[underguy1]

Its amazing how most people fall for the scam.

The only people who "win" from politics are politicians and corrupt special interests.

Its just a show for the masses to make them think they have some say in what happens and to give legitimacy to the ruling establishment.

Capitalism and democracy are fundamentally opposed, so the electoral process is mere theatre designed to give the proles the illusion of choice.

American politics is merely the shadow cast by big business. - John Dewey.

 

[Colonel Hogan]

Kennedys affair with a mob boss' mistress wasn't relevant? Or the hash he made out of presidential security to sneak around?

If that's an example of news judgement, that was pretty obviously a bad one by a bunch of horny old so-called journalists who were indulging their own wish-fulfilment about how many bimbos they would nail if they were JFK.

Screw national security (literally).

Judith Campbell Exner is known to have had affairs with JFK and Sam Giancana. Beyond that there is dramatically conflicting testimony from Campbell herself to the degree that those affairs overlapped and with respect to her alleged role as a go-between the President and the mobster. While the press may have known of Kennedy's affairs generally, I doubt they had much specific knowledge of details at the time JFK was still alive therefore it would have been difficult to prove whatever suspicions they may have harbored. Perhaps you know differently.

I also don't know of any evidence that he was ever outside the realm of the Secret Service protective "bubble" during any of his sexual exploits. Thus, any direct threat to national security due to his personal, uh, "exposure" is also speculative.

 

[underguy1]

If this is the argument, then imho someone has to do a far better job of making it.

Cabal? Who are the self-perpetuating members?

If we had a cabal we would have never had a black President? Seriously. Are you kidding me? And if the "cabal" was going to bless and elevate one of it's minority members to such a position, it certainly would not have been a wet-behind-the-ears first term senator from Illinois!!

Meanwhile, we appear to have two cabals who can't seem to spend enough time undercutting each other to the supreme detriment of getting almost anything done for the greater good. Or is that infighting/gridlock also just an illusion and part of the show?

Many years ago I worked in local government alongside Mitch McConnell. Outside the Louisville metro area his name was nothing in the state of Kentucky. When he ran against Walter "Dee" Huddleston for the Senate, McConnell was losing badly up until the last week of the election when a series of clever TV ads pushed him over the top. How is it that the "CABAL" so miserably failed the loyal incumbent Huddleston?

Fast forward to 2011 when Rand Paul ran for the seat of departing Kentucky Senator Jim Bunning. While Paul had been active in his father's (Ron Paul) political campaigns and affairs, Rand had never ran for political office before his U. S. Senate race. He was merely a Bowling Green Opthamologist and a political outsider in Kentucky. In the Republican senatorial primary, Paul was up against the then most recent Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson who, in addition to having served nearly two full terms, had the backing of notable members of the state and national Republican "CABAL" including (by now) Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, former Vice President Dick Cheney, former presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani, Senator Rick Santorum, Representative Hal Rogers, and several members of Kentucky's state legislature.

Paul defeated Grayson by a margin of 23%. In the general election in a heavily Democratic state, Paul defeated Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway by a 12% margin. Apparently "CABALS" aren't what they used to be or Kentucky voters were either blissfully unaware or appropriately contemptuous of the "CABAL'S" uncompromising demands.

But here is the clincher. In a political circus that, according to the political conspiratorial alarmists, is "up for the highest bidder," the "CABAL" apparently can't decide whether it is pro- or anti-abortion; gun control or anti-gun control, pro-environmentalist or "drill-baby-drill." Corporate PAC money flows rather freely to both extremes of the most contentious issues.

NOW IF THAT DOESN'T REPRESENT POPULIST "CHOICE" THEN WHAT THE HELL DOES???

You telling me corporate America doesn't care about these issues??? BULLSHIT!!! The nation's insurance companies, AND the Republican Party together could not stop Obamacare. And God knows they tried.

You want me to believe Wall Street is itself the "CABAL"??? BULLSHIT!!! All Wall Street does is constantly bet against itself. While half the traders are selling short, the other half are going long. And who are those traders trading FOR?? Primarily pension funds and investment groups, all of which, represent individual shareholders in one form or another.

So I repeat (but don't really expect an intelligent much less persuasive answer), who IS this "CABAL" specifically, and what specific outcomes do they ensure the rest of us NEVER have any control over?

That the rich never go broke? (see Bear Stearns)

That the fat cat frauds never go to prison? (see Bernie Madoff)

Does the lack of a "CABAL" mean that justice is always done and that white collar criminals who should be held responsible always are? No, of course not. But at the very least, if the "CABAL" can't reliably predict who it will protect, what good is it???

Jesus, how long is the rogues gallery list now? Nixon, Haldeman, Ehrlichman, Agnew, Mitchell, Dan Rostenkowski, Bob Packwood, Jim Traficant, Jesse Jackson, Jr., Dennis Hastert, David Patraeus. (For more, see here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_federal_politicians_convicted_of_crimes#1969.E2.80.931974_.28Nixon_.28R.29_presidency.29)

If that's how well the "CABAL" protects its own, why the hell would you want to join, and if you nonetheless chose to and decided to play fast and loose with the law, what guarantees would you have that YOUR ASS wouldn't get bit as hard as a host of wise guys who went before you?

"CABAL" my ass!!

LOLz. Thanks for the laughs.

40 years of neoliberalism has seen the balance shift monumentally from labour to capital. And finance capital at that i.e. rent seekers.

Who gets the economic surplus now?

You've chosen a term 'cabal' to burn down but the correct term would be 'class'.

Then your anecdotal arguments look worse than anaemic.

 

[eyerami]

Hey, Corporal RINO Butthurt:

After you cash your mommy's SS check next month at BillyBob's Payday Loan and Towing Service, splurge and spend a few bucks in one of those mall photo booths and take a pic of yourself so you can replace Joe Friday and his ism in your sig with the completely more truthful, JUST SPECULATION, MA'AM.