In a democracy majority rules. Not in our democracy. Here in the USA, money rules. Washington is for sale. Open for business. Just contact your local lobbyist and lay some heavy coin on them. They will bring home the bacon. Do I have proof, you bet.
Farmers make up less than 1% of the U.S. population. Food consumers comprise 100%. In a showdown in congress who wins, the 1% of course. That 1% represents some big corporations, David Rockefeller, and Ted Turner. They put $80 million into the pot and bought a new farm support bill that will cost $260 billion in our tax dollars for the good old less than 1% of them. You can kiss their grits and step up and pay twice. Once in taxes and again at the grocery. A democrat from Wisconsin, Ron Kind, sponsored a measure that would have cut the subsidies by a paltry $10 billion. It was stomped on the House floor. Grain prices are at an all time high. Global demand is doing that. Same as crude oil. But, the American taxpayer gets screwed on both deals. Corn is $5.52 a bushel, up from $2.20 in 2006. So Congress adds to the farm bill so the small minority in the US can benefit. You might just want to take a moment and pen a letter to your congressman and senator and see what kind of B.S. he feeds you about his position on this.
How can less than 1% of the population make such a difference? Another case. Less than 1% of the U.S. population is considered militant environmentalists. They have even more control than the farmer. They will destroy this country. Need I go on.
The minority is running this country. Washington cares not about you or your kids or grandkids. Unless you have a lobbyist, don’t bother to think you are being represented. Of, course if the majority ever gets smart enough to throw everyone out who voted yes on the farm bill, we might just be heard. Stop the rape of the average citizen for the special interest groups. Make the majority heard and force our interests above all others.
I guess this is no surprise, but we do live in a capitalist society, which means, it’s all about the money and the power it brings. Money and power drives our economy and those who have it, also use it to get what they want. Just like the current Presidential Campaign, it’s all about the money and power. We use to say and think that anyone can be president, but not any more. It takes a lot of cash to run for president. Our Presidential Candidates will spend a total of over $1b to become president.
Traditionally, the president is the highest-paid public employee. President Bush currently earns $400,000 per year, along with a $50,000 expense account, a $100,000 nontaxable travel account, and $19,000 for entertainment. Although this is higher than your average worker, it does not appear to be a lot of money given the responsibility that goes with the job and the cost to get the job. Millions are being spent to earn $400k? I doubt it.
I would say our Presidential Candidates are not doing this for the Presidential Salary, it’s about the Power and Money they’ll ultimately receive from the special interests after they leave office.
The typical Candidate will spend at least $500m to be President
Being President gets you a salary of $400k/yr, plus expenses
The Money and Power they receive after being President, Priceless