Look. I dont disagree with your assertion that money influences politics. It always has and it always will. In ANY political system. Even the most tyrannical and centrally controlled system. I think where you and I disagree is in the fact that I accept this reality. The truth is that it’s not the money that corrupts the system per se. Rather, it’s weak-kneed and personally corrupt politicians that allow the money to influence them in sometime scrupulous ways that benefit them personally. And those politicians are a reflection of us and our culture which has deteriorated drastically over the past 50 years. Until we the voters on BOTH sides insist on solid ethics and honesty from our politicians, this will not end. The problem with accomplishing this is that politics has become so partisan, and our media has become equally partisan, that those on the left and those on the right are likely to perceive different standards on what is acceptably ethical. I dont think it can be corrected, unfortunately. Not without significant social upheaval.

I believe it is equally true that money and influence can also be positive. Think of this scenario: The semiconductor industry sees more and more of high tech electronics that go into military systems being made in China or elsewhere. They spend a few million with a number of lobbying firms to get their side of the story heard with a bunch of congressmen, particularly those on the defense committee. The next authorization bill that comes around, those congressmen rightly agree to put into the funding requirements that those components be made in America. The law is changed so components are made in the US, and this is without a doubt a good thing. Don’t you agree? And this is but one example. There are thousands of examples, I am sure. Even the most hardcore leftist would not rationally call this “corruption”, would they?

So, while one person can easily say “get the money out of politics”, another can just as easily point to the good things that come from allowing people to have a voice with their legislatures and in the public forum.

I always hear the people on the left raging against those “evil corporations”. I just dont get it. I really dont. A corporation is just a legal entity that exists on paper. What makes up those corporations are people like you and me, working to make a living and provide for our families. This is what Romney means when he says “corporations are people too”. All those people working for that corporation have the same interests in their company’s success, and their common interests are legitimately represented in front of their elected representatives. That is fair.

In summary, I’m not sure how we can say that one type of person cannot have the access and opportunity to have their interests heard or their views heard on the airwaves, while the other is allowed to have it. So, rather than have the rest of the world adhere to the standards of one group of people, simply allow all people the same access and opportunity to have their voices heard without restriction. In the halls of Congress and on the airwaves. This is true meaning of freedom of speech. It applies to all equally.

You see, the means to restrict speech are unfortunately established by those same politicians you seek to control by limiting who can spend and how much they can spend. Once you place in the politicians hands the power to restrict speech, those restrictions are politically motivated. For a time, your side gets to set the rules. When it’s my side that gets to set the rules, your side freaks out. This is precisely why I don’t think there should be ANY restrictions on political speech or spending for any group. I dont like the Communist Party USA, in fact I despise them. But I will defend their rights to my dying day to have as much political speech and influence as they can get. This is the First Ammendment to the Constitution, Joy.

I hope this helps you to understand my perspective. It really is not a D or R thing. I think that I am very much a liberal on this issue. A Jeffersonian or Madisonian liberal, that is.

By the way, I have come to like you very much, as well, Joy. I very much enjoy learning from you and your perspective. If we knew one another personally, I am certain that you would be a great friend of mine. And you can call me Bozo any time you want.

Wishing you and your family the best, Joy, have a nice weekend! God Bless.

Have a nice day!

This is really quite amusing. Thanks for the laughs

Democratic National Convention Schedule
4:00 PM – Opening Flag Burning Ceremony
4:05 PM – Singing of “G_D___ America” led by Rev. Jeremiah Wright
4:10 PM – Pledge of Allegiance to Obama
4:15 PM – Ceremonial ‘I hate America’ led by Michelle Obama
4:30 PM – Tips on Dodging Sniper Fire – Hillary Clinton
4:45 PM –Al Sharpton Leads Castrati Choir in Singing “Great Balls of Fire”
5:00 PM – UFO Abduction Survival – Joe Biden
5:30 PM – Eliot Spitzer Speaks on “Family Values” via Satellite
5:45 PM – Tribute to All 57 States
6:00 PM – Joe Biden Delivers 100,000-Word Speech Featuring 23-Minute Question and 2- Hour Answer
8:30 PM – Airing of Grievances by the Clintons
9:00 PM – Bill Clinton Delivers Rousing Endorsement of Obama Girl
9:15 PM – Tribute Film to Freedom Fighters at Gitmo – Michael Moore
9:45 PM – Personal Finance Seminar – Charlie Rangell
10:00 PM – Denunciation of Bitter Gun Owners
10:30 PM – Ceremonial Waving of White Flag for IRAQ, & Afghanistan
11:00 PM – Obama Energy Plan Symposium /Tire Gauge Demonstration
11:15 PM – Free Gov. Blagojevich rally
11:30 PM – Obama Accepts Tony and Latin Grammy Awards
11:45 PM – Feeding of the Delegates with 5 Loaves and 2 Fish – Obama Presiding
12:00 AM – Official Nomination of Obama by Bill Mahre
12:01 AM – Obama Accepts Nomination, declares that the Kenyan thing was a distraction, he was really born in Bethelehem
12:05 AM – Celestial Choirs Sing
3:00 AM – Biden Delivers Acceptance Speech
==================================
OPTION: Closing with a Declaration of War on the rich To be decided just before the Convention

CUL8R