Second Life Forums Archive - USA now officially a Plutocracy, huzzah! Effect on SL?

Briana Dawson

Attach to Mouth

Join date: 23 Sep 2003

Posts: 5,855

01-23-2010 06:04

From: Chris Norse

Capitalism and wealth are the engines that drive freedom. Demoarcy has nothing to do with freedom, in the long run demoarcy is destructive to freedom.

Especially when 51% thinks its o.k. to restrict the other 49%.

_____________________

WooT
------------------------------

http://www.secondcitizen.net/Forum/

Chris Norse

Loud Arrogant Redneck

Join date: 1 Oct 2006

Posts: 5,735

01-23-2010 06:09

From: Void Singer

there is a very distinct difference between a union and a corporation such as walmart....

a unions fund are generated directly by it's members, who each have individual voting rights on the the disbursement of funds to political campaigns.

a corporations funds are generated by consumers, voting rights rarely come with their employees stock options (the one that do offer these, generally offer voting options, or market options, but not both, and never mind investiture, to maneuver employees away from voting). higher turnover also works to ensure that employee voices do not affect corporate decisions, which are generally made from the top.

while either can force people out if they don't vote the way management believes they should, it's only a feasible option for corporations when taken in scale, and you may have noted that chains like walmart are extremely anti-union for this among other reasons... as a union would dampen this effect for them.

so, no, I don't personally believe that corporations necessarily reflect their employee stockholders voting interests, nor cater to them, making them a much different animal than a union or a cooperative, in which it's contributors both directly fund, and directly decide where those funds go.

and yes I've simplified some of the politics in those comparisons, but I think it conveys the general culture.

And in many states unions can compel membership if a person wants to work for a specific employer. When I was younger I was forced to join a union and to "contribute" to politcal causes which would have caused direct harm to me if they had succeeded.

_____________________

I'm going to pick a fight
William Wallace, Braveheart

“Rules are mostly made to be broken and are too often for the lazy to hide behind”
Douglas MacArthur

FULL

Whimsycallie Pegler

Registered User

Join date: 28 Apr 2006

Posts: 1,003

01-23-2010 06:19

From: Chris Norse

And in many states unions can compel membership if a person wants to work for a specific employer. When I was younger I was forced to join a union and to "contribute" to politcal causes which would have caused direct harm to me if they had succeeded.

Laws are probably somewhat different now. If you have unions that compel membership you have to have what is called an agency fee option. Which basically means that members can opt out of paying some of the fees including any politcal causes.

Briana Dawson

Attach to Mouth

Join date: 23 Sep 2003

Posts: 5,855

01-23-2010 06:22

From: Whimsycallie Pegler

Laws are probably somewhat different now. If you have unions that compel membership you have to have what is called an agency fee option. Which basically means that members can opt out of paying some of the fees including any politcal causes.

Is this a Federal law that was passed? Do you have a reference? Last i heard those decisions were left up to states and Union dominated states generally have zero luck getting any laws passed that negatively impact Unions in any way.

_____________________

WooT
------------------------------

http://www.secondcitizen.net/Forum/

Chris Norse

Loud Arrogant Redneck

Join date: 1 Oct 2006

Posts: 5,735

01-23-2010 06:44

From: Whimsycallie Pegler

Laws are probably somewhat different now. If you have unions that compel membership you have to have what is called an agency fee option. Which basically means that members can opt out of paying some of the fees including any politcal causes.

And how many union stewards tell their membership about this option? How many government agencies tell the people about this option?

_____________________

I'm going to pick a fight
William Wallace, Braveheart

“Rules are mostly made to be broken and are too often for the lazy to hide behind”
Douglas MacArthur

FULL

Chris Norse

Loud Arrogant Redneck

Join date: 1 Oct 2006

Posts: 5,735

01-23-2010 06:46

From: Briana Dawson

Is this a Federal law that was passed? Do you have a reference? Last i heard those decisions were left up to states and Union dominated states generally have zero luck getting any laws passed that negatively impact Unions in any way.

There was a Supreme Court decision back in the 80's. Reagan put out an EO saying that the people were to be informed of this right. But since then other presidents have rescinded that order.

_____________________

I'm going to pick a fight
William Wallace, Braveheart

“Rules are mostly made to be broken and are too often for the lazy to hide behind”
Douglas MacArthur

FULL

Cedric Brown

"Fair and Balanced"

Join date: 4 Jun 2006

Posts: 343

01-23-2010 06:49

From: Peggy Paperdoll

How much did Rupert Murdock contribute to any candidate?

I am too tired to read all the post to see if anyone commented on this, but the great evil neo-con Rupert Murdoch supported and contributed to none other than the candidacy of Barak Obama.

Chris Norse

Loud Arrogant Redneck

Join date: 1 Oct 2006

Posts: 5,735

01-23-2010 06:51

From: Ponsonby Low

It's an intriguing problem. True representative democracy requires something approaching a level playing field, but on the other hand you can't have people 'running' just to get the cash.

No compromise would please everyone. Even so, it may be the only hope for lessening corruption.

Pssst. We are not supposed to be a representative democracy. We are supposed to be a Constitutional Republic.

_____________________

I'm going to pick a fight
William Wallace, Braveheart

“Rules are mostly made to be broken and are too often for the lazy to hide behind”
Douglas MacArthur

FULL

Melita Magic

On my own terms.

Join date: 5 Jun 2008

Posts: 2,253

01-23-2010 07:32

This thread is for smart people.

And people who read the news.

/me bows out.

_____________________

"Every time you help a newbie, an angel gets its wings." - from some movie or other...

Ceka Cianci

SuperPremiumExcaliburAcc#

Join date: 31 Jul 2006

Posts: 4,489

01-23-2010 07:54

From: Melita Magic

This thread is for smart people.

And people who read the news.

/me bows out.

/me pulls you to the side next to me* Just sit back and watch

Don'tcha wanna see who wins?

heheheheh

_____________________

Free Your Mind
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceka_cianci/

Melita Magic

On my own terms.

Join date: 5 Jun 2008

Posts: 2,253

01-23-2010 07:55

LOL

/me <3 Ceka.

_____________________

"Every time you help a newbie, an angel gets its wings." - from some movie or other...

SuezanneC Baskerville

Forums Rock!

Join date: 22 Dec 2003

Posts: 14,229

01-23-2010 08:37

From: Briana Dawson

Do you think the President feels he owes them something in return?

It's a rare politician who's honest enough to stay bought.

_____________________

-

So long to these forums, the vBulletin forums that used to be at forums.secondlife.com. I will miss them.

I can be found on the web by searching for "SuezanneC Baskerville", or go to

http://www.google.com/profiles/suezanne

-

http://lindenlab.tribe.net/ created on 11/19/03.

Members: Ben, Catherine, Colin, Cory, Dan, Doug, Jim, Philip, Phoenix, Richard,
Robin, and Ryan

-

Briana Dawson

Attach to Mouth

Join date: 23 Sep 2003

Posts: 5,855

01-23-2010 08:50

From: SuezanneC Baskerville

It's a rare politician who's honest enough to stay bought.

Obama has been supported by SEIU since he started. He wasn't just recently bought, he was bought long ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ1NJaCtIkM - Obama & SEIU

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=seiu+obama&search_type=&aq=f - More Obama & SEIU

_____________________

WooT
------------------------------

http://www.secondcitizen.net/Forum/

Void Singer

Int vSelf = Sing(void);

Join date: 24 Sep 2005

Posts: 6,973

01-23-2010 09:53

@Chris:
not denying that, but in addition to what Whimsycallie said, there's also the fact that you at least get your union vote guaranteed. A corporation, even one as largely held by employees as walmart, will do everything it can to make sure you don't.

From: Ceka Cianci

/me pulls you to the side next to me* Just sit back and watch

Don'tcha wanna see who wins?

heheheheh

shit, you think someone's going to win in this thread? far as I can tell none of us are politicians or heads of large corporations, and that means we all lose.

_____________________

|
| . "Cat-Like Typing Detected"
| . This post may contain errors in logic, spelling, and
| . grammar known to the SL populace to cause confusion
|
| - Please Use PHP tags when posting scripts/code, Thanks.
| - Can't See PHP or URL Tags Correctly? Check Out This Link...
| -

Ceka Cianci

SuperPremiumExcaliburAcc#

Join date: 31 Jul 2006

Posts: 4,489

01-23-2010 10:30

From: Void Singer

shit, you think someone's going to win in this thread? far as I can tell none of us are politicians or heads of large corporations, and that means we all lose.

We don't have to win at life to win a thread..
Heck we don't even have to believe what we are typing up to win a thread LOL

FEAR MAH WIKI i'm unnna get Krunkacated hehehehe

_____________________

Free Your Mind
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceka_cianci/

Peggy Paperdoll

A Brat

Join date: 15 Apr 2006

Posts: 4,383

01-23-2010 11:17

From: Ponsonby Low

Can you quote the exact sentence or sentences in which, you claim, I 'threw out' that argument?

(No. You cannot.)

Copy and pasted from post #24:

"Which individuals at, say, Microsoft were denied freedom of speech until day before yesterday?

How is it that Microsoft is a "person" who has more rights than, say, you? (Assuming for the sake of argument that you are a US citizen [I don't recall if that's the case or not].)

This "person" Microsoft can now spend as many millions to elect some particular Senator (say) as that "person" Microsoft wishes.

You, on the other hand, face strict limits on what you can spend.

Why is the one "person" Microsoft privileged over the person Peggy Paperdoll? Why do you have fewer rights under the new law?"

That was your post yesterday.

SuezanneC Baskerville

Forums Rock!

Join date: 22 Dec 2003

Posts: 14,229

01-23-2010 12:40

So far as contributing to election campaigns goes, isn't it fairly common to contribute to all sides with a decent chance of winning, so that no matter who wins, they own you something and will suck up to you in hopes of getting more?

_____________________

-

So long to these forums, the vBulletin forums that used to be at forums.secondlife.com. I will miss them.

I can be found on the web by searching for "SuezanneC Baskerville", or go to

http://www.google.com/profiles/suezanne

-

http://lindenlab.tribe.net/ created on 11/19/03.

Members: Ben, Catherine, Colin, Cory, Dan, Doug, Jim, Philip, Phoenix, Richard,
Robin, and Ryan

-

Peggy Paperdoll

A Brat

Join date: 15 Apr 2006

Posts: 4,383

01-23-2010 12:49

From: SuezanneC Baskerville

So far as contributing to election campaigns goes, isn't it fairly common to contribute to all sides with a decent chance of winning, so that no matter who wins, they own you something and will suck up to you in hopes of getting more?

That is exactly what smart corporations do. And, yes, it is an attempt to "buy" a politian. However, it does give an opportunity for both sides of any issue or point of view to be seen by anyone wanting to look at both (or all sides of any issue). Of course each side is going to present it's point in the best light and any differing view in it's worse light.........the truth is more often than not somewhere between the extremes. That's where the voter has to do his/her homework...........an unbiased press would sure help in that effort.

Briana Dawson

Attach to Mouth

Join date: 23 Sep 2003

Posts: 5,855

01-23-2010 14:01

From: SuezanneC Baskerville

So far as contributing to election campaigns goes, isn't it fairly common to contribute to all sides with a decent chance of winning, so that no matter who wins, they own you something and will suck up to you in hopes of getting more?

Lobbyist often do this. Not Unions.

While SEIU was spending 33 Million on Obama they were at the same time spending 3 million in adverts against McCain.

_____________________

WooT
------------------------------

http://www.secondcitizen.net/Forum/

Briana Dawson

Attach to Mouth

Join date: 23 Sep 2003

Posts: 5,855

01-23-2010 14:06

From: Peggy Paperdoll

...........an unbiased press would sure help in that effort.

Huh???

Unbiased press? Isn't that what we have already? After all, everyone knows that Fox is the only biased news source on T.V. an all the rest are non-partisan and balanced.

/sarcasm off

Journalism in the U.S. is dead. Thank goodness for Fox, for as flawed as it is, it is the only voice out there not mimicking the same liberal tripe like MSNBC, NBS, CBS, ABC, NPR, PBS, and CNN.

_____________________

WooT
------------------------------

http://www.secondcitizen.net/Forum/

Peggy Paperdoll

A Brat

Join date: 15 Apr 2006

Posts: 4,383

01-23-2010 14:21

Briana, you forgot all these expert celebrities we have espounding their vast knowledge of the world of poltics. You know, Sean Penn, Micheal Moore, Barbara Striesand, Rosey O'Donnell, and others..........people actually get their "news" from sources such as those people. But, that really goes back to the press........they are the ones who decide to air those people's views.

Hard work getting at the real facts any more, huh?

Briana Dawson

Attach to Mouth

Join date: 23 Sep 2003

Posts: 5,855

01-23-2010 15:20

Don't forget the smartest of them all: Janeane Garofalo

_____________________

WooT
------------------------------

http://www.secondcitizen.net/Forum/

Peggy Paperdoll

A Brat

Join date: 15 Apr 2006

Posts: 4,383

01-23-2010 15:33

From: Briana Dawson

Don't forget the smartest of them all: Janeane Garofalo

I was trying to think of her name...........but I couldn't.

Shows how "tuned in" I am.............LOL

RockAndRoll Michigan

Registered User

Join date: 23 Mar 2009

Posts: 589

01-23-2010 15:40

Do you know how you can tell if a politician is honest? An honest politician, once he or she is bought, stays bought.

That particular sentiment is decades old. This truly is nothing new.

And as far as the U.S. officially being a Plutocracy.... Wrong. The U.S. was and still remains a Constitutional Republic. Anybody who tells you different is dead wrong. Including those who think we can "spread Democracy" to the world. We can't introduce Democracy anywhere, we as a country don't practice it or have the foggiest idea how Democracy works. That's like trusting a virgin to explain the joys of the Kama Sutra to another virgin.

Ponsonby Low

Unregistered User

Join date: 21 May 2008

Posts: 1,893

01-23-2010 15:56

From: Scylla Rhiadra

Want to see what a state that equates the weight of one's opinions with the amount of money backing those opinions up looks like? Just look around you, folks.

I have to agree, unfortunately.

Still, taking it back to the macro, LL may not be able to continue to showcase big spenders, at least not in the USA, if all individuals making up the branches of the federal government are put into office with ExxonMobil money and WalMart money and Bank of America money.

I'm looking at the historical record in nations run, basically, by and for the wealthiest individuals and busineses--I mean overtly, as opposed to the sub rosa situation prevailing in most Western nations today.

In places like Fascist Italy, rulers did not think highly of individual 'rights' to assemble and communicate with each other. And it seems likely that this would be true in a USA openly run by the big corporations.

And that would bode ill for platforms such as SL, I'd contend.

_____________________

War is over---if you want it.

P Low Low P Studio SMALL PARCEL SOLUTIONS: Homes & shops of distinction, with low prim-counts, surprisingly low prices!

USA now officially a Plutocracy, huzzah! Effect on SL?
Briana Dawson Attach to Mouth Join date: 23 Sep 2003 Posts: 5,855	01-23-2010 06:04 From: Chris Norse Capitalism and wealth are the engines that drive freedom. Demoarcy has nothing to do with freedom, in the long run demoarcy is destructive to freedom. Especially when 51% thinks its o.k. to restrict the other 49%. _____________________ WooT ------------------------------ http://www.secondcitizen.net/Forum/
Chris Norse Loud Arrogant Redneck Join date: 1 Oct 2006 Posts: 5,735	01-23-2010 06:09 From: Void Singer there is a very distinct difference between a union and a corporation such as walmart.... a unions fund are generated directly by it's members, who each have individual voting rights on the the disbursement of funds to political campaigns. a corporations funds are generated by consumers, voting rights rarely come with their employees stock options (the one that do offer these, generally offer voting options, or market options, but not both, and never mind investiture, to maneuver employees away from voting). higher turnover also works to ensure that employee voices do not affect corporate decisions, which are generally made from the top. while either can force people out if they don't vote the way management believes they should, it's only a feasible option for corporations when taken in scale, and you may have noted that chains like walmart are extremely anti-union for this among other reasons... as a union would dampen this effect for them. so, no, I don't personally believe that corporations necessarily reflect their employee stockholders voting interests, nor cater to them, making them a much different animal than a union or a cooperative, in which it's contributors both directly fund, and directly decide where those funds go. and yes I've simplified some of the politics in those comparisons, but I think it conveys the general culture. And in many states unions can compel membership if a person wants to work for a specific employer. When I was younger I was forced to join a union and to "contribute" to politcal causes which would have caused direct harm to me if they had succeeded. _____________________ I'm going to pick a fight William Wallace, Braveheart “Rules are mostly made to be broken and are too often for the lazy to hide behind” Douglas MacArthur FULL
Whimsycallie Pegler Registered User Join date: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 1,003	01-23-2010 06:19 From: Chris Norse And in many states unions can compel membership if a person wants to work for a specific employer. When I was younger I was forced to join a union and to "contribute" to politcal causes which would have caused direct harm to me if they had succeeded. Laws are probably somewhat different now. If you have unions that compel membership you have to have what is called an agency fee option. Which basically means that members can opt out of paying some of the fees including any politcal causes.
Briana Dawson Attach to Mouth Join date: 23 Sep 2003 Posts: 5,855	01-23-2010 06:22 From: Whimsycallie Pegler Laws are probably somewhat different now. If you have unions that compel membership you have to have what is called an agency fee option. Which basically means that members can opt out of paying some of the fees including any politcal causes. Is this a Federal law that was passed? Do you have a reference? Last i heard those decisions were left up to states and Union dominated states generally have zero luck getting any laws passed that negatively impact Unions in any way. _____________________ WooT ------------------------------ http://www.secondcitizen.net/Forum/
Chris Norse Loud Arrogant Redneck Join date: 1 Oct 2006 Posts: 5,735	01-23-2010 06:44 From: Whimsycallie Pegler Laws are probably somewhat different now. If you have unions that compel membership you have to have what is called an agency fee option. Which basically means that members can opt out of paying some of the fees including any politcal causes. And how many union stewards tell their membership about this option? How many government agencies tell the people about this option? _____________________ I'm going to pick a fight William Wallace, Braveheart “Rules are mostly made to be broken and are too often for the lazy to hide behind” Douglas MacArthur FULL
Chris Norse Loud Arrogant Redneck Join date: 1 Oct 2006 Posts: 5,735	01-23-2010 06:46 From: Briana Dawson Is this a Federal law that was passed? Do you have a reference? Last i heard those decisions were left up to states and Union dominated states generally have zero luck getting any laws passed that negatively impact Unions in any way. There was a Supreme Court decision back in the 80's. Reagan put out an EO saying that the people were to be informed of this right. But since then other presidents have rescinded that order. _____________________ I'm going to pick a fight William Wallace, Braveheart “Rules are mostly made to be broken and are too often for the lazy to hide behind” Douglas MacArthur FULL
Cedric Brown "Fair and Balanced" Join date: 4 Jun 2006 Posts: 343	01-23-2010 06:49 From: Peggy Paperdoll How much did Rupert Murdock contribute to any candidate? I am too tired to read all the post to see if anyone commented on this, but the great evil neo-con Rupert Murdoch supported and contributed to none other than the candidacy of Barak Obama.
Chris Norse Loud Arrogant Redneck Join date: 1 Oct 2006 Posts: 5,735	01-23-2010 06:51 From: Ponsonby Low It's an intriguing problem. True representative democracy requires something approaching a level playing field, but on the other hand you can't have people 'running' just to get the cash. No compromise would please everyone. Even so, it may be the only hope for lessening corruption. Pssst. We are not supposed to be a representative democracy. We are supposed to be a Constitutional Republic. _____________________ I'm going to pick a fight William Wallace, Braveheart “Rules are mostly made to be broken and are too often for the lazy to hide behind” Douglas MacArthur FULL
Melita Magic On my own terms. Join date: 5 Jun 2008 Posts: 2,253	01-23-2010 07:32 This thread is for smart people. And people who read the news. /me bows out. _____________________ "Every time you help a newbie, an angel gets its wings." - from some movie or other...
Ceka Cianci SuperPremiumExcaliburAcc# Join date: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 4,489	01-23-2010 07:54 From: Melita Magic This thread is for smart people. And people who read the news. /me bows out. /me pulls you to the side next to me* Just sit back and watch Don'tcha wanna see who wins? heheheheh _____________________ Free Your Mind http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceka_cianci/
Melita Magic On my own terms. Join date: 5 Jun 2008 Posts: 2,253	01-23-2010 07:55 LOL /me <3 Ceka. _____________________ "Every time you help a newbie, an angel gets its wings." - from some movie or other...
SuezanneC Baskerville Forums Rock! Join date: 22 Dec 2003 Posts: 14,229	01-23-2010 08:37 From: Briana Dawson Do you think the President feels he owes them something in return? It's a rare politician who's honest enough to stay bought. _____________________ - So long to these forums, the vBulletin forums that used to be at forums.secondlife.com. I will miss them. I can be found on the web by searching for "SuezanneC Baskerville", or go to http://www.google.com/profiles/suezanne - http://lindenlab.tribe.net/ created on 11/19/03. Members: Ben, Catherine, Colin, Cory, Dan, Doug, Jim, Philip, Phoenix, Richard, Robin, and Ryan -
Briana Dawson Attach to Mouth Join date: 23 Sep 2003 Posts: 5,855	01-23-2010 08:50 From: SuezanneC Baskerville It's a rare politician who's honest enough to stay bought. Obama has been supported by SEIU since he started. He wasn't just recently bought, he was bought long ago. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ1NJaCtIkM - Obama & SEIU http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=seiu+obama&search_type=&aq=f - More Obama & SEIU _____________________ WooT ------------------------------ http://www.secondcitizen.net/Forum/
Void Singer Int vSelf = Sing(void); Join date: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 6,973	01-23-2010 09:53 @Chris: not denying that, but in addition to what Whimsycallie said, there's also the fact that you at least get your union vote guaranteed. A corporation, even one as largely held by employees as walmart, will do everything it can to make sure you don't. From: Ceka Cianci /me pulls you to the side next to me* Just sit back and watch Don'tcha wanna see who wins? heheheheh shit, you think someone's going to win in this thread? far as I can tell none of us are politicians or heads of large corporations, and that means we all lose. _____________________ \| \| . "Cat-Like Typing Detected" \| . This post may contain errors in logic, spelling, and \| . grammar known to the SL populace to cause confusion \| \| - Please Use PHP tags when posting scripts/code, Thanks. \| - Can't See PHP or URL Tags Correctly? Check Out This Link... \| -
Ceka Cianci SuperPremiumExcaliburAcc# Join date: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 4,489	01-23-2010 10:30 From: Void Singer shit, you think someone's going to win in this thread? far as I can tell none of us are politicians or heads of large corporations, and that means we all lose. We don't have to win at life to win a thread.. Heck we don't even have to believe what we are typing up to win a thread LOL FEAR MAH WIKI i'm unnna get Krunkacated hehehehe _____________________ Free Your Mind http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceka_cianci/
Peggy Paperdoll A Brat Join date: 15 Apr 2006 Posts: 4,383	01-23-2010 11:17 From: Ponsonby Low Can you quote the exact sentence or sentences in which, you claim, I 'threw out' that argument? (No. You cannot.) Copy and pasted from post #24: "Which individuals at, say, Microsoft were denied freedom of speech until day before yesterday? How is it that Microsoft is a "person" who has more rights than, say, you? (Assuming for the sake of argument that you are a US citizen [I don't recall if that's the case or not].) This "person" Microsoft can now spend as many millions to elect some particular Senator (say) as that "person" Microsoft wishes. You, on the other hand, face strict limits on what you can spend. Why is the one "person" Microsoft privileged over the person Peggy Paperdoll? Why do you have fewer rights under the new law?" That was your post yesterday.
SuezanneC Baskerville Forums Rock! Join date: 22 Dec 2003 Posts: 14,229	01-23-2010 12:40 So far as contributing to election campaigns goes, isn't it fairly common to contribute to all sides with a decent chance of winning, so that no matter who wins, they own you something and will suck up to you in hopes of getting more? _____________________ - So long to these forums, the vBulletin forums that used to be at forums.secondlife.com. I will miss them. I can be found on the web by searching for "SuezanneC Baskerville", or go to http://www.google.com/profiles/suezanne - http://lindenlab.tribe.net/ created on 11/19/03. Members: Ben, Catherine, Colin, Cory, Dan, Doug, Jim, Philip, Phoenix, Richard, Robin, and Ryan -
Peggy Paperdoll A Brat Join date: 15 Apr 2006 Posts: 4,383	01-23-2010 12:49 From: SuezanneC Baskerville So far as contributing to election campaigns goes, isn't it fairly common to contribute to all sides with a decent chance of winning, so that no matter who wins, they own you something and will suck up to you in hopes of getting more? That is exactly what smart corporations do. And, yes, it is an attempt to "buy" a politian. However, it does give an opportunity for both sides of any issue or point of view to be seen by anyone wanting to look at both (or all sides of any issue). Of course each side is going to present it's point in the best light and any differing view in it's worse light.........the truth is more often than not somewhere between the extremes. That's where the voter has to do his/her homework...........an unbiased press would sure help in that effort.
Briana Dawson Attach to Mouth Join date: 23 Sep 2003 Posts: 5,855	01-23-2010 14:01 From: SuezanneC Baskerville So far as contributing to election campaigns goes, isn't it fairly common to contribute to all sides with a decent chance of winning, so that no matter who wins, they own you something and will suck up to you in hopes of getting more? Lobbyist often do this. Not Unions. While SEIU was spending 33 Million on Obama they were at the same time spending 3 million in adverts against McCain. _____________________ WooT ------------------------------ http://www.secondcitizen.net/Forum/
Briana Dawson Attach to Mouth Join date: 23 Sep 2003 Posts: 5,855	01-23-2010 14:06 From: Peggy Paperdoll ...........an unbiased press would sure help in that effort. Huh??? Unbiased press? Isn't that what we have already? After all, everyone knows that Fox is the only biased news source on T.V. an all the rest are non-partisan and balanced. /sarcasm off Journalism in the U.S. is dead. Thank goodness for Fox, for as flawed as it is, it is the only voice out there not mimicking the same liberal tripe like MSNBC, NBS, CBS, ABC, NPR, PBS, and CNN. _____________________ WooT ------------------------------ http://www.secondcitizen.net/Forum/
Peggy Paperdoll A Brat Join date: 15 Apr 2006 Posts: 4,383	01-23-2010 14:21 Briana, you forgot all these expert celebrities we have espounding their vast knowledge of the world of poltics. You know, Sean Penn, Micheal Moore, Barbara Striesand, Rosey O'Donnell, and others..........people actually get their "news" from sources such as those people. But, that really goes back to the press........they are the ones who decide to air those people's views. Hard work getting at the real facts any more, huh?
Briana Dawson Attach to Mouth Join date: 23 Sep 2003 Posts: 5,855	01-23-2010 15:20 Don't forget the smartest of them all: Janeane Garofalo _____________________ WooT ------------------------------ http://www.secondcitizen.net/Forum/
Peggy Paperdoll A Brat Join date: 15 Apr 2006 Posts: 4,383	01-23-2010 15:33 From: Briana Dawson Don't forget the smartest of them all: Janeane Garofalo I was trying to think of her name...........but I couldn't. Shows how "tuned in" I am.............LOL
RockAndRoll Michigan Registered User Join date: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 589	01-23-2010 15:40 Do you know how you can tell if a politician is honest? An honest politician, once he or she is bought, stays bought. That particular sentiment is decades old. This truly is nothing new. And as far as the U.S. officially being a Plutocracy.... Wrong. The U.S. was and still remains a Constitutional Republic. Anybody who tells you different is dead wrong. Including those who think we can "spread Democracy" to the world. We can't introduce Democracy anywhere, we as a country don't practice it or have the foggiest idea how Democracy works. That's like trusting a virgin to explain the joys of the Kama Sutra to another virgin.
Ponsonby Low Unregistered User Join date: 21 May 2008 Posts: 1,893	01-23-2010 15:56 From: Scylla Rhiadra Want to see what a state that equates the weight of one's opinions with the amount of money backing those opinions up looks like? Just look around you, folks. I have to agree, unfortunately. Still, taking it back to the macro, LL may not be able to continue to showcase big spenders, at least not in the USA, if all individuals making up the branches of the federal government are put into office with ExxonMobil money and WalMart money and Bank of America money. I'm looking at the historical record in nations run, basically, by and for the wealthiest individuals and busineses--I mean overtly, as opposed to the sub rosa situation prevailing in most Western nations today. In places like Fascist Italy, rulers did not think highly of individual 'rights' to assemble and communicate with each other. And it seems likely that this would be true in a USA openly run by the big corporations. And that would bode ill for platforms such as SL, I'd contend. _____________________ War is over---if you want it. P Low Low P Studio SMALL PARCEL SOLUTIONS: Homes & shops of distinction, with low prim-counts, surprisingly low prices!

Welcome to the Second Life Forums Archive

USA now officially a Plutocracy, huzzah! Effect on SL?