Comments on: Karl Rove Directed Government Funds For Political Gain http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/ Life. Liberty. Property. Defending individual freedom and liberty, one post at a time. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:04:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: sojourner http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35435 sojourner Tue, 21 Aug 2007 00:26:46 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35435 There's a saying: The cure for Bad democracy is more democracy. The two party system can't capture the diversity of viewpoints in our country. We have video poker machines that are more sophisticated than our voting machines. The issues with electronic voting are technical and can be fixed and verified. Internet voting on the issues: we could be fiscally conservative and have a sustainable economy. If Citicorp can transfer millions of dollars a day, WE can have a safe, transparent voting system that will solve issues. Previous writer who wrote about corporations being equal in the eyes of the law with citizens is exactly right--this must change. (GE spent $79,000,000 on lobbying in 2005) ..you got that kind of money? The truth is becoming a commodity and is being bought and sold. Also, Univ of Chicago professor's idea--BLIND TRUST for campaign contributions: anyone and any corporation can give as much as they want to candidate X..but it goes into a blind trust and the candidate doesn't even know the contributor. It's a good idea. Thomas Jefferson said words to the effect that 'democracies rely on an educated populace'. Let's fix this mess. There’s a saying:
The cure for Bad democracy is more democracy.
The two party system can’t capture the diversity of viewpoints in our country. We have video poker machines that are more sophisticated than our voting machines. The issues with electronic voting are technical and can be fixed and verified. Internet voting on the issues: we could be fiscally conservative and have a sustainable economy. If Citicorp can transfer millions of dollars a day, WE can have a safe, transparent voting system that will solve issues.
Previous writer who wrote about corporations being equal in the eyes of the law with citizens is exactly right–this must change. (GE spent $79,000,000 on lobbying in 2005) ..you got that kind of money? The truth is becoming a commodity and is being bought and sold.
Also, Univ of Chicago professor’s idea–BLIND TRUST for campaign contributions: anyone and any corporation can give as much as they want to candidate X..but it goes into a blind trust and the candidate doesn’t even know the contributor. It’s a good idea.
Thomas Jefferson said words to the effect that ‘democracies rely on an educated populace’.
Let’s fix this mess.

]]> By: T. Johnston http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35378 T. Johnston Mon, 20 Aug 2007 12:59:56 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35378 Until we as a Social Democracy abandon this rediculous claim that Money is equatable to Free Speach, and that Corporations should be given the exact same rights ( if not more.. ) that a person may have, we will continue on the path to a new era of American Neo-Fascism! "Corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed." -Abraham Lincoln- Until we as a Social Democracy abandon this rediculous claim that Money is equatable to Free Speach, and that Corporations should be given the exact same rights ( if not more.. ) that a person may have, we will continue on the path to a new era of American Neo-Fascism!

“Corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed.” -Abraham Lincoln-

]]> By: TanGeng http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35359 TanGeng Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:27:40 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35359 Simply having less government is a good idea. But to control corruption, you should have public oversight and visibility into the decision making processes. Injecting those things into the legislation and bureaucratic process would invariably force the government to shrink as everything it does slows down. It would be inefficient government in terms of bringing policy from idea to fruition, but what does government do that isn't inefficient. We would be saving more by weeding out all the awful ideas that come up every single day and somehow get implemented despite their lack of merit. Simply having less government is a good idea. But to control corruption, you should have public oversight and visibility into the decision making processes. Injecting those things into the legislation and bureaucratic process would invariably force the government to shrink as everything it does slows down.

It would be inefficient government in terms of bringing policy from idea to fruition, but what does government do that isn’t inefficient. We would be saving more by weeding out all the awful ideas that come up every single day and somehow get implemented despite their lack of merit.

]]> By: js290 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35356 js290 Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:02:08 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35356 <blockquote>...yet one of the most inefficient governments </blockquote> Isn't that a good thing? If the effect of more parties is more corruption diluted across the parties making government even more inefficient, then let's start having more political parties. The problem with the two party system is the two parties become opposite sides of the same coin. You get laws like the Patriot Act and the resolution authorizing force against Iraq pushed right through. Where was the opposition on those? If you want less government corruption, simply have less government.

…yet one of the most inefficient governments

Isn’t that a good thing? If the effect of more parties is more corruption diluted across the parties making government even more inefficient, then let’s start having more political parties. The problem with the two party system is the two parties become opposite sides of the same coin. You get laws like the Patriot Act and the resolution authorizing force against Iraq pushed right through. Where was the opposition on those?

If you want less government corruption, simply have less government.

]]> By: Doug Mataconis http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35352 Doug Mataconis Mon, 20 Aug 2007 03:46:33 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35352 Joshua, <blockquote>Indeed, we could have six major parties and no corruption, like Italy.</blockquote> Indeed. ;) Joshua,

Indeed, we could have six major parties and no corruption, like Italy.

Indeed. ;)

]]> By: Joshua Holmes http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35339 Joshua Holmes Mon, 20 Aug 2007 00:41:17 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35339 <i>The real problem is our two party system.</i> Indeed, we could have six major parties and no corruption, like Italy. The real problem is our two party system.

Indeed, we could have six major parties and no corruption, like Italy.

]]> By: Karl Rove Directed Government Funds For Political Gain - NEWS.Tuls.Net http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35326 Karl Rove Directed Government Funds For Political Gain - NEWS.Tuls.Net Sun, 19 Aug 2007 22:42:46 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35326 [...] Many administrations have sought to maximize their control of the machinery of government for political gain, dispatching Cabinet secretaries bearing government largess to battleground states in the days before elections.Full source on Liberty Papers: Read More? [...] [...] Many administrations have sought to maximize their control of the machinery of government for political gain, dispatching Cabinet secretaries bearing government largess to battleground states in the days before elections.Full source on Liberty Papers: Read More? [...]

]]> By: Rob S http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35319 Rob S Sun, 19 Aug 2007 20:53:10 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35319 "The real problem is our two party system." (Comment posted by Red) I often hear the comment that the two party system is the root of all evil. Let's consider the alternative. Research into group election behavior with multiple parties, i.e., greater than two, indicates that the result usually leads to a candidate LESS preferred by the population. The vote is split between the two most preferred candidates (or parties) and instead a marginal candidate emerges victorious. A real world example suggests similar problems: Historically, Italy has the most parties of an industrialized nation yet one of the most inefficient governments (and arguably one of the most corrupt). Add these problems to the American governmental system, already one of the most decentralized in the world, and devastating problems could emerge. The two party system may have its problems but multiple parties could make the system much worse. The risk just isn’t worth it. “The real problem is our two party system.” (Comment posted by Red)

I often hear the comment that the two party system is the root of all evil. Let’s consider the alternative. Research into group election behavior with multiple parties, i.e., greater than two, indicates that the result usually leads to a candidate LESS preferred by the population. The vote is split between the two most preferred candidates (or parties) and instead a marginal candidate emerges victorious.

A real world example suggests similar problems: Historically, Italy has the most parties of an industrialized nation yet one of the most inefficient governments (and arguably one of the most corrupt).

Add these problems to the American governmental system, already one of the most decentralized in the world, and devastating problems could emerge. The two party system may have its problems but multiple parties could make the system much worse. The risk just isn’t worth it.

]]> By: Terryeo http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35318 Terryeo Sun, 19 Aug 2007 20:52:58 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35318 A government that serves for the good of its people is a country rising in power. Whereas a government serving the good of its members is a government in decline. Rome declined. While worthy of address, the arguements here brought forth are the spawn of unworthy government. Read, "Carl Rove hid America, from America". Read "Bush marched in step". A government that serves for the good of its people is a country rising in power. Whereas a government serving the good of its members is a government in decline. Rome declined. While worthy of address, the arguements here brought forth are the spawn of unworthy government. Read, “Carl Rove hid America, from America”. Read “Bush marched in step”.

]]> By: BV http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35314 BV Sun, 19 Aug 2007 20:12:39 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35314 There is nothing more disgusting than people splitting hairs with the letter of the law to break the intent of laws. There are so many people in this country that think manipulating the system is a game. They pervert and distort till what was created for good turns on itself. There is nothing more disgusting than people splitting hairs with the letter of the law to break the intent of laws. There are so many people in this country that think manipulating the system is a game. They pervert and distort till what was created for good turns on itself.

]]> By: Bob Gratrix http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35310 Bob Gratrix Sun, 19 Aug 2007 19:58:29 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35310 "We can either continue with the way things are, or fundamentally change the nature of government in the country and return it to what it was intended to be. The choice is ours." Instead of all the pissing and moaning that's going on about the mess we're in as citizens of a totally corrupt government (Rep & Dem!!) and failed election system, why not write the REAL article that everyone is waiting for? Just how do you or any of us propose to change ANYTHING AT ALL? What a waste. “We can either continue with the way things are, or fundamentally change the nature of government in the country and return it to what it was intended to be.

The choice is ours.”

Instead of all the pissing and moaning that’s going on about the mess we’re in as citizens of a totally corrupt government (Rep & Dem!!) and failed election system, why not write the REAL article that everyone is waiting for? Just how do you or any of us propose to change ANYTHING AT ALL? What a waste.

]]> By: Red http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35309 Red Sun, 19 Aug 2007 19:48:00 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35309 The problem isn't whether the federal govt is too big. Even if it's small, the money will still flow to fight for elections rather than fund infrastructure. The real problem is our two party system. If we had multiple parties, where there has to be an alliance between two or more for majority, we'll see less of this sort of abuse. And for that, we need election reform. Rank voting (preferential voting), and voting by mail is the only thing that'll change the perpetual two-party death match we have today. The problem isn’t whether the federal govt is too big. Even if it’s small, the money will still flow to fight for elections rather than fund infrastructure.

The real problem is our two party system. If we had multiple parties, where there has to be an alliance between two or more for majority, we’ll see less of this sort of abuse.

And for that, we need election reform. Rank voting (preferential voting), and voting by mail is the only thing that’ll change the perpetual two-party death match we have today.

]]> By: Compurgator http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35298 Compurgator Sun, 19 Aug 2007 18:38:26 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35298 "It may have been legal?" Using governmental employees and government money to boost election-or re-election campaigns? No, it was probably ILlegal, through the eyes of a long-experienced federal criminal litigator; but then, there's that nagging presumption that everything this crew does, did, and has been doing, is illegal and tainted. That's neither"spin"nor "contradiction." That's just the way it is and has come to be. “It may have been legal?” Using governmental employees and government money to boost election-or re-election campaigns? No, it was probably ILlegal, through the eyes of a long-experienced federal criminal litigator; but then, there’s that nagging presumption that everything this crew does, did, and has been doing, is illegal and tainted. That’s neither”spin”nor “contradiction.” That’s just the way it is and has come to be.

]]> By: John Smith http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35296 John Smith Sun, 19 Aug 2007 18:32:01 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35296 The federal government was, and was intended to be, much larger than it is now from very early in US history. There were fugitive comissioners in every county grabbing black people off the street and sending them south, with their testimony not accepted in court. The federal gov't censored mails in peacetime to search out and destroy abolitionist materials under Madison. In fact we should be celebrating the reduced size and intrusiveness of the Federal government. The federal government was, and was intended to be, much larger than it is now from very early in US history. There were fugitive comissioners in every county grabbing black people off the street and sending them south, with their testimony not accepted in court. The federal gov’t censored mails in peacetime to search out and destroy abolitionist materials under Madison. In fact we should be celebrating the reduced size and intrusiveness of the Federal government.

]]> By: tim randle http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35287 tim randle Sun, 19 Aug 2007 17:59:52 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/08/19/karl-rove-directed-government-funds-for-political-gain/#comment-35287 who wrote this? what part of: "avoid meddling with grant and contract decisions" equates to "Grants are made and money is spent not based on where it is needed, but based on where it would be most politically advantageous"??? there were so many ways this could have been spun, and you chose the path of contradiction. and you wonder why middle America laughs at us? do us all a favor, and submit all further articles to: http://www.spectator.org/ http://www.freerepublic.com/home.htm All the news that's fit to print and fish too. except for the 'news' part...who's side are you on? who wrote this? what part of:
“avoid meddling with grant and contract decisions” equates to “Grants are made and money is spent not based on where it is needed, but based on where it would be most politically advantageous”???

there were so many ways this could have been spun, and you chose the path of contradiction.

and you wonder why middle America laughs at us?

do us all a favor, and submit all further articles to:
http://www.spectator.org/
http://www.freerepublic.com/home.htm

All the news that’s fit to print and fish too.

except for the ‘news’ part…who’s side are you on?

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