The Info Junkies

Which party best reflects your beliefs and desires? Are you sure? Do they represent you today as they have in the past? American politics, throughout history, has had many parties designed to represent the people’s beliefs and needs.  And back in the day, that representation may have been genuine.  Perhaps it was due to the newness of the parties themselves and the need to remain true to the people they represented.  Or perhaps it was because of the greater involvement and interest the American people displayed back then versus today.

Whatever the reasoning, the fact remains that those parties which have stood the test of time, have veered away from their humble beginnings of representing the needs of the people and have established a more “me first” policy with an emphasis on gaining more wealth and power.  The truth is, that politics hasn’t been the same since it became dominated by the two-party-system.  The average American can’t even name more than two of the remaining parties.  Can you?  Why is that?  During election time, do you ever hear about the “Green” party? Or what about the “Libertarian” or “Constitution” parties?    Their significance has been whittled away, with the help of the media, by the “Bi-Partisan” team.  Today, political parties are nothing more than illusions.  They are designed to make you believe that you have a choice even if somewhat limited.  Guess what? You have no choice.

Today, the Republicans and Democrats both have support systems that can’t be challenged by the smaller, less known parties.  And this is where the illusion starts.  Both parties have the same support system.  They both have the support of the corporations, media, and the Israel lobby.  Why? It’s rather simple when you look at it from the perspective of those that support them.  They don’t care which party wins the presidency or holds the most seats in congress as long as they get what they want.  Both the Reps and the Dems have made pacts with their supporters to help their supporters, not you.  Listen, politicians aren’t in office to do good things for you or the country.  They are there to secure their personal future and they are willing to do whatever it takes in order to do so even if that means selling their soul. They also know congress is a proven platform to use in order to make their goals a reality.  How many have heard of the “Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act”, or “Stock Act”? It is a bill that “prohibits members of Congress from trading stocks and other securities on the basis of confidential information they receive as lawmakers” (Source).  The bill is only now moving through the proper channels which tells me that, for some time now, this trading practice has been viewed as acceptable behavior by congress.  However the only way to take advantage of it or to circumvent the established “Insider Trading” laws for the public, was to become a law maker.  In other words, run for congress.  And why is this practice just now being policed?  Again, I believe the answer to be simple.  We, the public, are just now being made aware of it.

Remember Dick Cheney?  He has held some type of office since the Nixon administration.  Regardless of whether you like the man or not, you can’t deny that he has become one of the most politically savvy people in history.  He has made billions using the insider system.  One only need to look upon his crowning achievement.  From 1995 to 2000 (The only time span out of office until his recent departure), Cheney was chairman and CEO of the Halliburton Company, one of the world’s largest oilfield services companies.  After leaving Halliburton with much company stock in hand, Cheney re-enters politics as….? Anyone?  You guessed it, the Vice President of the United States.  Why is this important? It really isn’t right now, but I promise, I will reveal the importance shortly.  Halliburton is not only a big oil company. It has hundreds of subsidiaries, affiliates, branches, brands, and divisions worldwide one of which is KBR Inc. formerly know as Kellogg, Brown & Root.  KBR is an American engineering, construction and private military contracting company.  Are little red flags going up in your head yet? No? Well they should be because now is the time that these two companies become relevant.  Remember that illegal war (Congress needs to declare war and no such declaration was made.) we were involved in over in Iraq? Well once over there, one of our missions, among others, was to protect the oil fields.  That didn’t go so well, or did it? Remember all the media coverage regarding the burning oil rigs and the black smoke that covered much of the country? Then there was the utter destruction of the country’s infrastructure.  Surely you remember us bombing them back into the stone age.  Well guess who won the contract to go over there and “Rebuild” the country? If you guessed “Halliburton”, you win a gold star.  Who do you think made that happen?  Dick Cheney of course.  It’s all too convenient for it not to have been him.

Making pacts with corporations is what our congressmen and women do.  They use the office as a way to secure their futures, not yours.  As the “Republic Report” puts it, “Selling out pays. If you’re a corporation or lobbyist, what’s the best way to “buy” a member of Congress? Secretly promise them a million dollars or more in pay if they come to work for you after they leave office.  Once a public official makes a deal to go to work for a lobbying firm or corporation after leaving office, he or she becomes loyal to the future employer.  And since those deals are done in secret, legislators are largely free to pass laws, special tax cuts, or earmarks that benefit their future employer with little or no accountability to the public.” (Source)

Perhaps George Carlin put it best in one of his routines.
Take a look.

We have been sold down the river.  Left behind by the very people we put into office.  And it doesn’t matter whether we vote them out or not because as Mr. Carlin says, “It’s a big club” and he’s right.   They are all on the same team and that’s why political parties are nothing more than illusions.

Regards

Follow me on:
Facebook, Twitter, and Urbanspoon