[Brad from Tennessee]

The domination of moneyed special interests in Washington.

[Nextrush]

And to think that this would come from Gary Hart....

[Blue Collar Christian]

Gary who?

[Starboard]

the American Republic is massively corrupt

****************
Understatement of the year (so far).

[golux]

[ZULU]

Hart is right. Crony Capitalists, for the most part global corporations with global, rather than American interests, are corrupting the electoral process. Invariably they bankroll incumbents as the best bet on their “investment”, and frequently contribute to both parties so regardless of who is elected, they continue to influence policy.

[a fool in paradise]

Four qualities have distinguished republican government from ancient Athens forward: the sovereignty of the people; a sense of the common good

That went out the window Friday with the heavy lobbying by Big Gay.

[Howie66]

What a genius!

[rellimpank]

—the federal government is in everybody’s business, therefore everybody in business needs to be “in” the federal government-—

[bkepley]

There are many kinds of corruption and the corruption of money in politics might be the least concern. I think guys like Hart just believe the liberal party shoul win every election.

[bigbob]

Geez, when even Gary Hart gets it...

[hadaclueonce]

Even Gary wants to play Mr. Obvious.

[Political Junkie Too]

What brought us to this? A sinister system combining staggering campaign costs... Campaign funds now go to feed an army of consultants (or “strategists” in the coinage of the day), media advisors, media producers, television-time buyers, speechwriters, schedulers, advance specialists, crowd raisers, and more specialized campaign bells and whistles than everyday citizens can imagine. Campaigning is a major industry now that consumes hundreds of millions of dollars and, in national campaigns, billions of dollars. Almost all of it goes to the media, the same media whose commentators regularly deplore the costs of campaigns.

Repeal the 17th amendment and end Senate elections. Senate elections are 33 expensive elections that occur every two years.

-PJ

[PghBaldy]

Liberals hate lobbyists because they often represent the opposition.

[ForYourChildren]

We have to STOP with all this weak-kneed equivocating language.

Gary Hart: America’s Founding Principles Are in Danger of Corruption

How about "has been corrupted"!! All this "we are crossing the line", "maybe getting closer", etc., just obscures the fact that we are well over the line, and this will cause many to become complacent believing that the line has not been crossed. We need to plan and act accordingly.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

They are corrupt but not for the reasons he states. CFR was a blot, not a help. Hart would probably like tax funded campaigns where the government controlled everything. Try and get rid of ANYONE under those circumstances. Unless the elite wanted them gone, they would be fixtures.

For the current situation I would lay the blame at the media that has long laid down and taken sides. They are political activists and the stuff Hart talks about is more about countering their free ride than it is about being its own corruption. It is a symptom, not a cause.

[JayAr36]

There is little to be expected from the “DISTRICT OF CORRUPTION” as in Washington, DC. Populated with low life, venal, useless so-called representatives of the people. We elect them to do something for America and we end up with them doing it to America.

[Calpublican]

Holds a doctorate in philosophy from Oxford. Has been a professor at the University of Colorado. Is a lawyer. Has served on a number of government commissions in recent years.

[Vaquero]

Monkey Business

[atc23]

He has a pretty young girl on his lap and everyone went apoplectic.

OMG, what a puritanical time we used to live in. Nowadays you're shamed into oblivion if you disagree that two queer men should raise children as man and 'wife"

[lowbridge]

“What brought us to this?”

Your political party played a big part, Gary.