Just when the world can’t get any stranger; Congress decides
to allow mentally ill people to purchase firearms. The strange part of this piece of news is
that we don’t have any details about what it actually means. The media is only interested in clicks and
sales, and will do anything to get our attention. Like most of us, I started out as outraged
that such a thing could happen. Then I
realize that this was the desired effect.
If I am outraged, I don’t have the calmness required to question the
reality of this piece of news, I’m
supposed to get angry and react. Our
leaders are using outrage as a tool to maintain their power. While we are outraged at either the Democrats
or Republicans, (it doesn’t really matter), they are able to legislate in favor
of those that pay them the most. Looking
at the Center for Responsive Politics report on 2016 spending by industry
groups shows that Pharmaceuticals/Health Products and Insurance are to two top lobbyists
spending a combined $390 million dollars.
Is there any question as to how our drug prices have not only increased
dramatically, but also we have laws that say the government can’t bargain over
the prices they pay! Not to mention the
health insurers complaining about huge losses that force them to raise ACA
rates while somehow having war chests large enough to propose the largest
mergers in US business history!
The cold truth is that our Congress now represents our
special interest groups rather than our voters.
When we wish to accomplish something that requires Congress’s approval,
we contact our Congressperson but more importantly we contact our special
interest group. Our Congressperson will
verify that we can vote for them, and then do what they can. If they are not on the right committee there
is very little they can do. Our lobbyist
will determine which committee handles
the question, they already have a relationship with the leaders, and then they
will get it handled. Of course there
were campaign contributions made, within the framework of the law, prior to and
after the desired effects are realized. It’s no wonder then that those special
interests giving the most money will have the most control over Congress public
be damned. Is it any wonder that our
Veterans are given such short shrift when they don’t have a group in the top 20
of political donors?
I am surprised that the current fuss about Russia meddling
in our campaign is as large as it is.
There is no fuss at all about Washington DC meddling in our Minnesota
campaigns. The campaign of Nolan versus
Mills was particularly dirty. We have
two decent Minnesotans with differing views, wanting to improve our state. The ads that they approved were quite
informational. The ads that came out of
Washington DC cast both as monsters. I
was outraged that someone from out of state could come in and trash our good
citizens with a dose of hate.
Unfortunately our leaders, media included, see campaign
finance as the goose that lays the golden egg and will do nothing to slay
it. We need a grass roots movement to
promote a Constitutional Amendment reading:
Notwithstanding the First Amendment, efforts to influence elections to
public office in the United States and its’ subdivisions shall be limited to
those who are able to vote in said election.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate
legislation.
I am hopeful that this might even bring the Tea Party
supporters to agree with the Bernie supporters.
Please consider the consequences.
