I think we are looking at the symptom of the dangers of money in politics. The recent Pharma emails from the health care debate clearly show that lobbyists are undermining the fundamental economy of the United States buy writing laws that enable crony capitalism. The rich have always had access to politicians, they have the time and resources to cultivate those relationships. The poor have access to mass protest. The stable middle class is where the power of democracy should be.
I firmly believe that the majority of the electorate are campaign influence money can buy. We are smart enough to sort through the distortions and half truths of television ads. While Citizens United has opened the door for unions and corporations to pour money into campaigns, their ultimate influence will be keeping traditional media in the black a few more years.
The true danger our democracy faces is the shift of the lower middle class to dependent status. Tip O'Neill said "all politics are local", and that is true. The institutions of the middle class have shifted to the Federal Level. Education is a prime example, where in the mid 70's education was paid for 100% by state and local governments, many districts today receive 20-30% of their budget from the Federal Government. One more point, Congressional representatives used to be based on a flat number, but because of a lack of seats in the capitol the number was frozen at 435. Within twenty years each representative, instead of representing a tight community that they are a member of, will have districts of a million citizens. In essence we are creating two house of Lords. Representatives that aren't retail but royal. Effects presidential elections too with the electoral college.
To solve our issues and make a more just society, increase the contributing middle class to 70% of the population, and let the House of Representatives grow so retail politics can return to this nation. That would neuter the effect of campaign money.
One hidden advantage of being a Linux and Open Source "expert" is keeping up with the rapid pace of change in the community. In comparison, Windows, Mac and the Unix flavors move at a glacial pace. Innovation happens in the community constantly, and a Linux sysadmin needs to be incredibly flexible and able to put aside time to try something new.
Ironically, one of the most annoying part of our jobs as Linux people, is the efforts we put into interoperability, is our greatest strength. A Linux sysadmin is expected to make it work, a Windows sysadmin can say, Microsoft doesn't support it. That gives our people immense power, and why innovative companies build on Linux.
I think we are looking at the symptom of the dangers of money in politics. The recent Pharma emails from the health care debate clearly show that lobbyists are undermining the fundamental economy of the United States buy writing laws that enable crony capitalism. The rich have always had access to politicians, they have the time and resources to cultivate those relationships. The poor have access to mass protest. The stable middle class is where the power of democracy should be.
I firmly believe that the majority of the electorate are campaign influence money can buy. We are smart enough to sort through the distortions and half truths of television ads. While Citizens United has opened the door for unions and corporations to pour money into campaigns, their ultimate influence will be keeping traditional media in the black a few more years.
The true danger our democracy faces is the shift of the lower middle class to dependent status. Tip O'Neill said "all politics are local", and that is true. The institutions of the middle class have shifted to the Federal Level. Education is a prime example, where in the mid 70's education was paid for 100% by state and local governments, many districts today receive 20-30% of their budget from the Federal Government. One more point, Congressional representatives used to be based on a flat number, but because of a lack of seats in the capitol the number was frozen at 435. Within twenty years each representative, instead of representing a tight community that they are a member of, will have districts of a million citizens. In essence we are creating two house of Lords. Representatives that aren't retail but royal. Effects presidential elections too with the electoral college.
To solve our issues and make a more just society, increase the contributing middle class to 70% of the population, and let the House of Representatives grow so retail politics can return to this nation. That would neuter the effect of campaign money.