Yes, thanks, we know. One could even say this is the core reason for many of the USA's other problems: the continuing financial crisis, for-profit medical system, huge rates of incarceration, justice system inequalities based on money, ever-widening income disparity, obscenely massive government spending, I could go on.
The only solution is to have the legislators pass a law to stop it. Because they are huge beneficiaries of the current corruption, that is unlikely to happen and the American government and economy will continue to erode.
I watched the whole thing waiting for his proposed solution. There are plenty of people that at the end of that talk would be willing to give of themselves (time and money) to fix the problem. So what does he give us?
? I dunno, love or something
This is so disappointing. If we really cared, then wouldn't it be worth starting with a strategy, a plan with steps that could result in a solution? Drumming up enthusiasm to do "something" without a call to action is just raising awareness nonsense.
Of course, if we did have a plan to stop corruption, very powerful people would likely oppose it. The amount of money held by those that would be hurt by fixing campaign finance is staggering and they are probably not willing to to restrain themselves ethically from doing whatever it takes to prevent reform.
A friend of mine pointed out that the way US politicians have to campaign, they're always in need of donations for funding for electoral reasons. Even if you're not particularly prone to corruption, there's the problem that the only people you have time to give your ear to are the people who are going to give you money. It's a simplified view, but it does illustrate one problem with the way the US elects its officials.
I'm sure they have issues of their own, but I believe Japan has a uniform cap on what politicians can spend on election campaigns. Just one possible solution.
What I mean is after the financial crisis of 2008, the US has made no significant law changes, has not increased enforcement and all the key players are still in their cushy positions (and not in jail.) We have fixed nothing so it is only a matter of time before it happens again.
What about when campaign finance reform was passed? I thought that it was a fantastic idea, but we ended up with super PACs, which have seemingly unlimited funds. Even worse, the politicians they support can say that they don't have control and shed any liability.
I too want to hear ideas for fixing the system, but I think it is going to take more than just a few laws being passed.
The only solution is to have the legislators pass a law to stop it. Because they are huge beneficiaries of the current corruption, that is unlikely to happen and the American government and economy will continue to erode.
Not sure how to fix this. Open to suggestions.