I completely agree with you, James, but as a historian I have little hope that anything will change for the better. After all, the rich have been buying our officials since ancient times.

@wysiwig So true. BUT There once were thirteen colonies, who successfully told history to "stick it". France, Vietnam and Russia did similar. So did Egypt. History is written much like law...and sometimes it's ugly. Thanks for gracing my gallery!

It's very saddening that it has come to this. I can venture to say that once the pols found out they can vote themselves more power and perks the tide started to turn in their favor. I speculate to think that if the job paid minimum wage, had no pension, and they had government housing to live in there would be fewer of these individuals interested in the job; and just maybe we could have more ethical and serious minded people apply for the job. After all, I believe it was intended that someone not make this their lifelong career, but a temporary stop. There are so many more "what ifs" to consider as well; whole system has become perverted and corrupt.

You can not have unbiased politician's when they are being paid by commercial operations Not even the most honest of people are going to vote against the people supporting them. People can shout democracy all they like but it's capitalism plain and simple You only have to look at the behavior of large multinational corporations. To take the way they act towards tax for a simple example If a regular individual was to act the same they would be in prison.

The problem is once their elected, they can do immense damage. Even if we then vote them out, the damage is done, And there's always a generous corporate payout waiting to reward them for their "service". THAT is part of what's got to change.

Not true - the sad fact is that America spent more on Halloween than was spent on all the elections, from president to dog-catcher, in 2012 ($ 8 billion verses 7 billion). Americans just don't care or have given up. (If you don't believe that, just look at the voting percentages.)

There's probably tons of books written (and/or to write) on this subject. And it's not gonna change, because the real problem is the greed of mankind. The greed for power and money. Today, the problem is that it's not only an american problem. To dictate business as the great new worldwide religion has worldwide consequences. There is no honest political or social system. They're all corruptible because they're imaginated and created by men who are so greedy. The solution? Huuh... :-)

I respectfully refuse to accept that it can NEVER change. The drive for more and better are not exclusive to the rich and powerful. Such drives live in us all. The rich will always be outnumbered. The more power they get, the smaller their number. Their power is a function of society. When 99.9% are powerless society fails and the powerful fall with it. Can the CEO build his own Camaro from scratch? Who builds the factory? Or the road? Where does the fuel come from? If all this doesn't get him, cholera will. Such was true in Sparta and throughout the dark ages. Too many dumb slaves, not enough educated whipmakers. Sooner or later, enlightenment returns. Always has; always will. IF we survive the present gaggle of short-sighted profiteers. IMHO. Good conversation!

easy take care of the rich, howmats do thay need 50 miljen-10 biljen 30? 50? and take back al the country's and your land, oo i forgoth jour brother/sister etz zits in the army of the rich,,protecting thare country eeuu biljens, on the other side of the world, becos the rich give all those country's weapens and chemicals ,toe kill eeuu thare own ?? dont be a soldier for the rich and thay have no pouwer, and wand thay fight you,to protect thare biljens ,, whit what? 2-3 % rich peaple are no mats? it is not the poor and middel clash? that fight for them,and protect them, ist zo easy?

I understand your point but if political contributions are banned, then only millionaires will be able to even run for office in the first place. So what's the solution?

Perhaps we limit money on BOTH ends: Contributions and MEDIA spending.

This scene makes a great statement. So so true this is. Bravo.