Mort Zuckerman: No Easy Solutions for Big Money in Politics

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Our political system is a complex problem. Money is just one strand that contributes to the bowl of spaghetti that they call our political system. Ok, yes you need money to run on the big stage, but paying politicians millions to vote a certain way creates more problems in the end. Look at the economic recession. Big corporations paid the "overseers" of derivatives and other financial instruments big money for "good grades". Does anyone else see correlation with our politicians? Why cant you just do what you believe, grow some balls and do what is right? Forget the money. Forgo the greed and take a step back. We live in a good country. I hope our country doesnt turn into a country based on ideologies. Remember Hitler and his bff Stalin? I dont want our country run by lunatics behind closed doors, all because they have money. Those people paying politicians don't deserve their money if they cant spend it in a better way. Big money is obviously a big problem. If you make $1+ million a year and complain about taxes, you're essentially telling your sick 90 year old grandmother to fend for herself in the street. Is that right?

G of PA 6:28PM May 24, 2012

For Bill Hedges:
Although you deny that Newt GIngrich is/was not a lobbyist, evidence points to his participating as a lobbyist and as a "strategic advisor/adviser." "Strategic advisor" may be "splitting hairs" in implication, but serving as a strategic advisor, is truly another word for lobbying.
http://destructionist.wordpress.com/tag/novo-gingrich-was-a-lobbyist-documents-from-novo-nordisk-show-that-the-danish-company-novo-saw-newt-gingrich-as-a-lobbyist/
http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2012/jan/24/mitt-romney/mitt-romney-says-newt-gingrichs-contract-was-fredd/
http://www.wnd.com/2012/02/was-i-ever-a-lobbyist/
http://www.factcheck.org/2012/01/disgrace-influence-peddling-and-other-debate-charges/
What Label would YOU have given Newt's job with Freddie Mac?
http://www.mittromney.com/news/press/2012/01/missing-newts-freddie-mac-papers-16-million-reward
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-01-04/gingrich-loophole-offers-lobbyist-access-for-consultant-cash.html
Check out each Subheading on" Lobbying" in the following link:
http://sunlightfoundation.com/blog/taxonomy/term/Lobbyists/

ann keenan of MI 9:43PM April 23, 2012

The Congress spent like a drunken sailor.. for decades and it got much worse in the past decade.. ok, so Newt Gingrich opposed it and worked to balance the budgets.. but So did Ron Paul that whole time.. you sound like a broken record Bill Hedges of Mo. with your wretched desire to shape the conversation in a harmful paradigm of "who can drive this broken car fastest. It's time to fix the car [America] Bill... there are patriots everwhere willing to help out... the instructions are right here, The Constitution of The United States of America.
Ron Paul has been a consistent advocate for Veterans benefits, which Is the proper role of the Federal Government and has introduced legislation to repeal harmful statutes that literally are not constitutional.
If a Congressman is honorably the minority voice for fiscal responsibility and for civil liberties consistently for a couple of decades... don't you think That is the right thing? There Is a constitutional role for our federal government and Ron Paul teaches a very healthy awareness of that.
You spitting on one of the few honest men just looks disgraceful to me mister.. but it's a free country on that note.. everyone is free to sound as foolish as they like.

John of NY 4:13PM April 08, 2012

John of NY
Prove Newt is a lobbyist. NEVER SEEN THAT DONE.
Back on YOUR subject, Paul, what has he done to deserve to be President ?. Not will do. So far, NOTHING, from you. Third try is NO CHARM FOR PAUL.
I don't go around saying elect Newt because the numbers are not there to believe. Newt accomplished as Speaker. Paul, maybe he voted NO as often as buma voted PRESENT. Little has Paul worked to get THINGS DONE through compromise as NEWT DID. Which was balanced budget, debt reduction, etc.. I KNOW, Paul is ABOVE compromise.
Go ahead and talk bad about Newt even though you can not prove wrong doing or relevance. I vote by RECORD and Paul HAS SO LITTLE that you do not mention.
Who do I believe can balance/reduce budget/debt. The one who lead the fight AND DID IT. Not Ron...

Bill Hedges of MO 2:56PM April 08, 2012

It's a lie that it requires so much money to run for office. What politicians really mean is that they need more money than they can easily get to outspend a competitor. But the person with the money money doesn't always win.
One thing is certain, what is NOT an answer is to have government funded campaigns. That is the ultimate socialist goal ... to force taxpayers to pay for their campaigns. For then, only government approved candidates will get funded, and then only at a level that bureaucrats deem "fair". But there is nothing fair about giving different candidates, with different ideas and different strengths the same money. Let them raise it on their own. and let everyone else speak as freely as they like.

Bill Wright of CA 1:45PM April 08, 2012

It is only money buying TV ads. Your problem is with the voters not the donors or candidates or TV ads. A better electorate is needed if, and that is a big IF, significant number of voters are basing their vote on who has the most TV ads. I have yet to hear anyone admit to that.

Richard Bunce of NC 8:24AM April 08, 2012

Bill Hedges of Mo, if you think Ron Paul should have taken a couple million from Freddie Mac like Newt did and go around getting them the votes to keep the bad mortgages going........ then no, Ron Paul did Not do that sort of thing. A Congressman can only Tell his fellow congressmen that voting for misuse of public money is bad, But a President can Veto bad spending bills etc..... therein lies the Strength of Ron Paul's politics. In an era of tremendous legislative harm (and violation of our Constitution), the main Job is in limiting the federal government. Ron Paul has also introduced liberty legislation in the Congress that has little chance of passing. Don't pick on the one (or two) Good Congressmen, put the attention on the corrupt overspenders and you'll see it.
If it were the Soviet system that we are supposed to have here, I'd say you're right .... because guys like Newt Gingrich help get Control of the people and Ron Paul just never does that.. But this is America Bill Hedges.. please try to remember that.. and regardless that You don't like liberty, most Americans Do and you won't win.. not here.. not in my America...it's Why we Have a Revolution going on right now.
When usurped power is being used Against the people.. that is Not the time to help craft such destructive legislation. You and the corruption in congress are Wrong and destructive, but there are those who always remain foolish about such things and your intentions here are easy to see.
Ron Paul for President 2012~

John of NY 7:48AM April 08, 2012

This country is coming apart at the seams because it's not a country 'For the people, by the people, of the people' but a country 'For the Corporation, by the Corporation, and of the Corporation' much like the evil Mr Potter tried to do in Bedford Falls and turn the city into 'Pottersville, USA' now American businesses have done just that by making a sham of the right to donate to political office as a 'person'.
A Corporation is NOT a person!

wowlfie of CO 3:41AM April 08, 2012

John of NY what has Ron Paul delivered on in all those years in Congress ? L i t t l e ... You mentioned WHAT ??? Please enlighten me on Ron Paul's accomplishments in Congress. Bills, etc.. I can tell you Newt's accomplishments. Done many times on site.
Ron P. supporters NEVER SAY what Ron P. accomplished in Congress ALL THOSE YEARS. 3RD TRY & NO LUCK...

Bill Hedges of MO 8:17PM April 07, 2012

To Bill Hedges of Mo, Ron Paul says what he means and he always means what he says. If you think he promises things not delivered, then really Bill, you're just plain wrong... there is no other way to say it.
Do you understand liberty at all Bill? Our Constitution promises "negative liberty"... which is a funny term, but it Means that we have a natural right to non interference from others and especially from government. Most politicians are like you and Really don't Understand our founding Principles. You think that big activist government is what the people want or need and that is totally the opposite.
Government is Supposed to guard our Liberty, and the federal government hasn't done That in a long long time. If you don't want to live in a free country, fine.. but quit crowing about those who Do ;) We're going to fix America with or without you, and after reading so many of your comments.. without you sounds just fine. You're an unhappy man Bill Hedges, is it that you only want warlords in power here? What is it you want Bill? What did you want Newt to Do, get the space program jump started or something?

John of NY 6:03PM April 07, 2012