Tuesday, October 4, 2011

It’s not the Lobby Groups, It’s the Politicians Stupid

I read, with some alarm, an article circulated by the Associated Press entitled “Protest against Wall Street spread across US” ( Chris Hawley 10/04/2011). The alarming part was quotes from demonstrators like “We feel the power in Washington has actually been compromised by Wall Street,” Jason Counts computer analyst in St Louis. Alternatively, “we support the notion that rich folks are not paying their fair share.” John Samuelsen, President of the Transport Workers Union in New York. How about “How to fix the deficit: end war, tax the rich” chanted by a group dressed as zombies marching on Wall Street.

The article did represent the other view voiced by one passer by wearing a suit named Roland Klingman, who works in the financial industry, “If they believe everyone down here contributes to policy decisions, it’s a serious misunderstanding.”

The political systems have been extremely successful in deflecting their personal agendas onto the masses. If it is true that the financial industry is adversely affecting the policy decisions in Washington, (and I do agree with this), it is a problem of the political system, not the financial industry. The financial industry wouldn’t try to influence policy if they didn’t have a historical perspective that says they can. If politicians want the public to take up arms against those who adversely influence their future, they should demonstrate against the politicians that enable this behavior.

Politicians are in a unique position to take action which we the public cannot. Politicians can end the influence of any lobby group by passing legislation to do so. Why don’t they? Political parties live and die on contributions. Contributions are the lifeblood of political parties much the same as revenue is to a business. They use influence to gain contributions. It’s not just big business that is the target. The people who are protesting the financial industry are the people that have benefited, at one time or another, from an entitlement program targeted toward them. These entitlement programs are designed to solicit contributions for the sponsoring party.

I understand the rage that most of us are starting to feel over the state of politics in America. The people have taken a back seat to fund-raising. Both political machines are far more interested in catering to the deep pockets then the public they represent. We need focus and reasoning in our actions.

If we allow any political party to emotional highjack us into believing that they, the politicians, are the victims, we have lost. If we want to believe; it is the contributor who is causing the harm, not the recipient; we are fools and deserve exactly what we get.

Many Americans are a gullible people with short memories. They are happily lead in any direction in which they feel will improve their personal comfort in the short term.

I’m not pro or con Lobby Groups, just as I am not pro or con political parties…. They have their place…. I am opposed to political groups putting their own agenda and well-being above those who they are paid to represent. Our 546 political representatives in Washington are starting to act like the royal family of America. They feel above the law and beyond the reach of the people.

No comments: