Obama's lies about small contributions

[terpis]

"it's like saying the stock mkt is democratic, because everybody has 3 stocks in a pansion fund":

And they do say that, for sure.

But just like pensions got busted down from "defined benefit" to "defined contribution" plans ("these are the chips you've accrued, now go hit the casino & good luck!"), and retirement benefits became 401Ks (again, to the casino), so with the investmentapproach to candidates, you get all the representation you can afford (and not a goddamn nickel more).

[verstwo2]

are you saying because there is a lack of evidence that small donations came from small donors that the must have come from large donor who broke up their contributions? Although I don't deny the possibility you have provided little more then an assertion and speculation here. Where's the evidence?

[mr1001nights]

The burden of proof is on those claiming that Obama got his money from small contributions--not on me. They must provide facts and evidence. And since they have none; all their claims go out the window; and yes, by default that means large donors, since that's the norm, as well as the strongest factor in elections and the system more broadly.

[samsonlovesyou]

"The burden of proof is on those claiming that Obama got his money from small contributions"

I believe the claim due to experience telling me to distrust the media on issues like this, but I'd also like more evidence before I could be confident of repeating it.

Tom Ferguson 'does' afterall say that donors were "encouraged to split up contributions" - and we know what extraordinary claims need...

[Whatchagonado]

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM!

[TheDystopiaInside]

Continued...

However I understand about theory -- I think it's good to be informed about reality and not mainstream illusion -- I am a big Chomsky fan, I've read the "People's History" -- and not just from Zinn.

But I have reached the conclusion that whether you are watching the mainstream of politics or the reality, both are a waste of time and energy. In the end nothing happens because we have no LEVERAGE, and when its over you have nothing to show for it, except frustration perhaps.

[Charles0in0charge]

We have Leverage, there is always leverage in the mass of people, there is more of us regular people then the power elite...

[seigneurvoland666]

alright that make sense somewhat, true in part. But what is your conclusion, and what is your alternative?

[TheDystopiaInside]

I have no solution, I am only saying that for me personally I feel my time would be better-spent elsewhere. If other people want to remain on the hamster wheel, that's fine. It can be an entertaining show at times, but for the most part I find it leaves one empty because you're dealing with an illusion. You can learn the "truth" about what is going on, but no one else wants to hear it and there's nothing you can do about it, nothing whatsoever. I would suggest a more productive focus.

[TheDystopiaInside]

Continued from previous...I've spent a lot of time reading about our CIA interventions in foreign countries for example, I've tried to know what the truth is. The fact is by and large I do know, but it doesn't matter.

You're not going to change a damn thing, you're just going to understand a little better than the average person as we all continue to watch the world burn.

If I am going to waste my time, I may as well do something pleasurable that has something I can show for it.

[seigneurvoland666]

Yeah "you're not going to change a damn thing". That's a very pessimistic outlook. It just goes to show that the average human isn't really in control of his or her own life. Life could be so much better but we're not the ones in control. so what do ? Do we really have no power? Are there any alternatives to get out of this vicious cycle. Should we be apathetic and make the best of life for ourselves (not necessarily for future generations) and watch the world burn? Or should we do something

[seigneurvoland666]

do something about it... Salvation or annihilation the choice is up to you and me. Having an apathetic attitude towards politics as a hole just leads to egoism and "fiend for yourself" type attitude. That is what perpetuates this cycle. Trying to avoid politics is in effect perpetuating the problem. I've done my activism and i could do more, but i'll never abandon theory.

[TheDystopiaInside]

I agree that mainstream politics is a total waste...it has become a day-to-day of what political figures said, what did Rush Limbaugh say today, what will Keith Olbermann say in response, fights between news networks...I don't care about that. That part of modern politics is especially soul-damaging to watch I think. It's a totally non-participatory illusion.

[TasinAkiwo]

@TheDystopiaInside A spectacle, one might say =)

There is always a solution, its just not necessarily an easy one. Obviously participating in the avenues provided to you by power will never get you anywhere, voting, boycotting, etc. So thats why in order to form a horizontal society, one must start to create one in today's society.

[VariedInterest]

He's the most corporate sponsored president in history. The only thing he has in common with grass or the roots thereof, is the colour green. What a naked deceit, promoting a small contribution base while getting most of his money from banks and big industry who were instructed to break their donations up by putting it in the name of all their employees, so they could use this tactic. Amazingly dystopic.

[EsotericThrone]

Thanks for this. Five stars.

[metalorg]

It's funny how you used the sign language version of the interview

[greenhell666]

great vid mr1001

[TheDystopiaInside]

No offense, but...

I have stopped paying attention to, watching or reading politics and have turned my attention elsewhere.

Politics is a total, 100% waste of time and energy, you're not going to change anything whatsoever. All of you might as well find something more productive and less soul-degrading to focus on.

Ignorance isn't strength, it's bliss -- come on in, the water's fine.

[seigneurvoland666]

soul degrading? Lol politics is merely the means of communicating ideas of how as a society/indiivduals is the best way to live, also is a means of warning. Organizing and talking about the roots of poverty is a political act, and in this example is not soul degrading. You can't avoid politics in a 'civilized' society.

[TheDystopiaInside]

Perhaps you cannot avoid politics entirely, but you can avoid investing yourself in it, and keeping up with it day-to-day. Its very soul-degrading, or decaying...choose your word.

It's a spectacle, an illusion that sickens me. Progressives try to understand what's really happening, at the ROOT -- but nothing comes of it and there's not a damn thing you can do about it. Example: This video about Obama -- OK you know the truth about him, fine, but you're not going to change anything.

[seigneurvoland666]

OK fair enough. I agree with you, i think you're pointing more towards mainstream politics, which is really a blackhole. Political theory is much more interesting, and is worth thinking about.

[robb1031]

what would you suggest

[TheWiretap]

I watched the Chomsky interview and was astounded by the level of ignorance the interviewer showed.

[PersianPaladin]

Good video response to the BBC chomsky interview :-)

[vktrsx]

Yeah this should be made a video response to that segment of the interview on Chomskyan's channel.

[byemef]

Chomsky calling that dude a party hack (in his soviet-afghanistan bit) without a pause was awesome. 1 year of lib Bush and he is sucking his balls harder than semi-liberals did for Clinton on his last years

It pretty much showed how liberal-leaning conservatives just didn't liked Bush because he was bumming their groove (too embarassing and honest), in the same way the west feels about authoritarian regimes (we're to hate nazis because it shows the logical progression of our racist imperialism)

[SirLoin21]

Awesome. I just watched the interview and was wondering what he meant by "Be careful about those numbers"

[bandaidmafia]

Great points! Thanks for posting mr1001nights.