What is Occupy Wallstreet?

[kandrathe]

Both are the problem honestly. But I stand firm in my notion that between the two, the corporations are the greater evil, cause money, at the end of the day, has more power than law or politics. Simply put, money and politics do NOT mix if you want a democracy. Congress and the White House are both bought out by the corporations, as are both parties, and if you really think about it, it is the corporations that now make the laws. We are Republic after all, and it is the will of the corporations and elites that is prevailing over the voice of the masses. And with last years decision of Citizens United vs. Fec, the power that big business has over government will become all the more pronounced. Goodbye democracy, hello corporate totalitarianism/fascism

According to Justice Kennedy, "If the First Amendment has any force, it prohibits Congress from fining or jailing citizens, or associations of citizens, for simply engaging in political speech." He also noted that since there was no way to distinguish between media and other corporations, these restrictions would allow Congress to suppress political speech in newspapers, books, television and blogs."

Do you think media organizations should be restricted? Unions? Or, just companies?

From Wikipedia, "The American Civil Liberties Union filed an amicus brief that supported the decision, saying that "section 203 should now be struck down as facially unconstitutional", though membership was split over the implications of the ruling and its board sent the issue to its special committee on campaign finance for further consideration."

And, "Campaign finance expert Jan Baran, a member of the Commission on Federal Ethics Law Reform, agreed with the decision, writing that "The history of campaign finance reform is the history of incumbent politicians seeking to muzzle speakers, any speakers, particularly those who might publicly criticize them and their legislation. It is a lot easier to legislate against unions, gun owners, 'fat cat' bankers, health insurance companies and any other industry or 'special interest' group when they can't talk back." Baran further noted that in general conservatives and libertarians praised the ruling's preservation of the First Amendment and freedom of speech, but that liberals and campaign finance reformers criticized it as greatly expanding the role of corporate money in politics."

I guess I would rather have corporate political speech and finances in the light of day, rather than the current charade of back room deals and law writing by special interests. I would like to see them tighten up congressional spending to prevent them from giving money or special deals (including tax breaks and subsidies) for companies altogether.

To me, the whole notion of "bringing home the pork to my district" has got to be removed from federal politics. Whether that is an earmark, some military contract, or a "shovel ready" project. All of these projects should be decided at the State level. For example, our billions in Minnesota to develop light rail. Thanks New York, Florida, California, and Texas. We would have never been able to afford it without the huge influx of federal money, and in fact we'll be coming back every year to have you help us maintain it as well since we can't afford to run it either.