Movies? Well, I’m just glad it isn’t the coal industry or something. Pretty much everyone knew that Dodd was going to become a lobbyist. Why else be such a tool during the mark-up of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reforms?
Indeed, when even the good guys are bought and sold, it can get a bit disheartening.
You said it. How does a man coming from a Peace Corps background end up like that?
his other background. His father was a senator.
And one of the prosecutors at Nuremburg.
Another argument that the benevolent nepotism of political dynasties eventually comes back to attack the purposes of democratic government.
Politics should never become “the family business” in a democracy.
Pretty much everyone knew that Dodd was going to become a lobbyist.
So why did Dodd lie about it a few months ago?
I almost hate to say this, but why not. He won’t pay a price for lying.
The representative democracy of the US has been truly broken by the Citizens United decision and past tolerance of politicians being bought. Scott Walker of Wisconsin is just the crass shamelessness of what is going on.
The lobbying industry has to be brought down before ordinary Americans can see their interests represented anymore.
Even the “best” of the current crop of politicians treat their supporters as ATM machines in an election year and forgotten thereafter — unless the supporter has contributed big bucks. Don’t believe me. Try to talk directly with your Congressman. “Big Bucks” gets put straight through, just like with Scott Walker. You get an intern and a spreadsheet of “opinion”.
Having posted a screed about the state of our representatives, let me highlights some “green shoots” in Wisconsin.
David Obey showed up to try to get into the state capitol; he was denied admittance.
And Democratic assembly members took their desks out to the capitol lawn in the cold to meet with constituents and protesters.
And so far, the 14 Lincolns remain in Illinois.