Tag: Special Interests

AIPAC Under Fire

In the past because of their proportional influence over Dem candidates the DNC is offering up a resolution to not accept AIPAC money…

A Democratic National Committee member is proposing a symbolic resolution for consideration at a DNC meeting next month to reject the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s massive spending on Congressional races.

The measure, sponsored by a young DNC member from Florida, could put party leaders on the spot about the pro-Israel lobbying group’s outsized role in Democratic primaries.

A lobbying behemoth that for decades courted lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, AIPAC has become an increasingly toxic brand in the Democratic Party.

In recent years, Israeli leaders and their backers in Washington have become more closely aligned with Republican politicians. At the same time, however, AIPAC’s super PAC has focused tens of millions in spending on Democratic primary races.

DNC Resolution to Reject AIPAC Funding Puts Democratic Leaders in the Hot Seat

That was in 2024 and they are still trying to lessen AIPAC influence over Dem candidates.

Then in 2026, April to be exact the DNC voted down a resolution….

A Democratic National Committee (DNC) panel voted on Thursday to reject a resolution condemning “the growing influence” of dark money and corporate-backed outside spending in Democratic races, particularly the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

At the DNC’s spring meeting in New Orleans this week, the resolutions committee voted to kill the push, which would have been nonbinding, as scrutiny over the pro-Israel lobby grows amid the midterms.

“The use of massive outside spending to support or oppose candidates based on their positions regarding international conflicts or foreign governments raises concerns about undue influence over democratic debate and policymaking, potentially constraining elected officials’ ability to represent the views of their constituents,” reads the resolution, submitted by Florida DNC member Allison Minnerly, pointing out AIPAC in particular for spending some $14 million in the Illinois Democratic primaries last month.

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5823840-dnc-aipac-resolution-fails/

So AIPAC keeps it’s control over the funds in DNC…..

There are a few individuals within the DNC that do not want the corrupting money from AIPAC…..

Rep. Ro Khanna has become the first member of the US Congress to sign a “peace pledge” promising to swear off funds from the Israel lobby and block US support for countries that violate human rights.

The pledge was created by the political action committee Citizens Against AIPAC Corruption, which runs the widely shared “AIPAC Tracker” social media campaign that names and shames politicians who receive support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and other pro-Israel groups that have spent tens of millions in recent election cycles to influence members of Congress.

Lawmakers who sign the pledge agree not to take money from AIPAC or pro-Israel lobbying groups and promise to make campaign finance reform a key priority.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/khanna-aipac-pledge

At least Khanna is doing the right thing….I will be watching to see who joins Khanna and who keeps their hand out to AIPAC….it will make a difference who I support.

Thoughts?

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

The Real Political Power

This is a look at the real political power in American elections…..AIPAC.

A PAC that has buckets of cash to influence our elected officials in favor of everything Israel.

 

https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/defending-aipac

 

This PAC should be broken down for what it is…..foreign money in our system for the influence of corrupt politicians.

I believe that AIPAC is too influential and has its tentacles in all aspects of our government…..this can no longer be acceptable.

Any thoughts?

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

Section 224

Section 224?

Buried in the House’s version of the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) released on Tuesday, is section 224, entitled “United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative.” The provision would arguably do more to intertwine the U.S. military with the Israeli military than the more than $200 billion (inflation adjusted) in military assistance Israel has received from the U.S. since its founding in 1948.

Section 224 lays the groundwork for bilateral research and development, co-production of weapons, joint ventures, licensing agreements, and seemingly every manner of U.S.-Israeli military-industrial complex cooperation. The U.S. and Israel already work together heavily on missile defense, but this provision would greatly expand coordination to seemingly every area of defense tech, including AI, quantum, autonomous systems, directed energy, cyber, biotech, and many more. It also proposes “network integration” and “data fusion.” In other words, the U.S. military’s data could soon be the Israeli military’s data.

Is this a good idea?

I know the US is at the mercy of Israeli ash but to give them this much sway over our military is unheard of and unprecedented.

Section 224 would be a different beast entirely. It would fuse the U.S. and Israeli defense sectors in multiple areas vital to the battlefields of the future, like autonomous systems and cyber. It would also bring extraordinary Israeli influence to the U.S. beyond what it already has through the Israel lobby and its robust network of social media influencers. It would give the Israeli government the opportunity to greatly expand one of the most powerful levers of influence in U.S. politics: jobs in the U.S. By expanding or starting new co-production facilities like it already has in Mississippi and Arkansas, the Israeli government could boast of providing jobs on U.S. soil, thereby securing allies among members of Congress who represent the districts where those jobs lie.

The result could well be a U.S. political system even more susceptible to the whims of an Israeli government that seemingly has no qualms about drawing the U.S. into military conflicts in the Middle East.

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/israel-us-military/

Israel has way too much power over Congress and the WH…it is time to break this stranglehold and put Israel in its place…..as the problem that keeps the Middle East in flames and allows it to get away with genocide and massive destruction in the name of security.

These twats are expanding their little piece of sand into a mini empire which I am sure we can find in one of their books of myths.

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

A Vote For Hillary

Today is the much anticipated “Big Day”…..at least for the media……will Super Tuesday” be a make or break day?

Would like to address the GOP race…….LOL…..why would I even talk about a bunch of infantile antics of what use to be adults…..so when they start acting like responsible adults I will refrain from saying anything other than negativity………

Lots have been said about Hillary’s connections to Wall Street….of course she denies that it will have any effect on her presidency…..

Let’s take a look at her campaign manager…..shall we?

 

Yeah….she will be the candidate for change.  If you believe that then you need to share whatever crap you are smoking….

I really wish she would flush the line “we are all in this together” (and voters are buying this bullsh*t) down the toilet…..I do not appreciate millionaires trying to sound like they have any idea what the rest on us humans go through……it is just sickening……I really get overwhelming urge to take a shower after listening to her speeches…..just when does a millionaire really care about anything or anyone beyond wealth and power?

That is not rhetorical……I want a solid answer to that question……

Your turn!

Just How Cozy Is Hillary Clinton With Wall Street? – BillMoyers.com

You recall recently Bernie made a statement that Clinton was part of the “establishment” and the media world went batcrap crazy looking for what he really meant to say……

A manufactured issue….the rest of the country knew what he meant when he uttered the word……in case you are dense…..he meant that she was in the pocket of the special interests (you may define that in any manner you prefer)……..she is a member of that “establishment” just like hubby Bubba….I mean look at the favor he did for agri-business with NAFTA and Wall Street when he helped repel Glass-Steagall…….fast forward to today….how much does his Clinton Global thingy rake in annually….mostly from wealthy people…..who do you think that favors?

But do not take my word for it……there is much that explains her connection to the “establishment”…..

This post first appeared at Mother Jones. Hillary Clinton has received a lot of campaign money from the financial industry over the years, and after she left the State Department she gave several lucrative speeches to Goldman Sachs and other big banks. As Michael Hirsh puts it, this has given her a reputation for being “more than a little cozy” with Wall Street. But is she? Continue reading

Source: Just How Cozy Is Hillary Clinton With Wall Street? – BillMoyers.com

Vote from knowledge not from slogans and applause……this country has enough super wealthy people….what we need is someone that see to the Middle Class and our seniors…..”the poor get poorer and the rich get richer” should NO longer be a mantra to describe America.

AIPAC Is the Only Explanation for America’s Morally Bankrupt Israel Policy | Stephen M. Walt

I have been an opponent of politicos that take their cash and lead from AIPAC…..a bunch of Zionists that would like nothing better than the complete elimination of all Palestinians……

Americans need to know just what these people are about and we should avoid them like the plague…….period!

 

AIPAC Is the Only Explanation for America’s Morally Bankrupt Israel Policy | Stephen M. Walt.

Lobbyists–The New Anti-Christ

If you follow my blog with any regularity you will know that I think very little of lobbyists…..I think blackmailers under the guise of civility is a blotch on the otherwise good conduct of the country…….personally, I think that a congressperson should have a waiting period of 10 years before they can do any lobbying……but I digress….

I saw an article that made me sick………

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — As a lobbyist in New York’s statehouse, Stephen Acquario is doing pretty well. He pulls down $204,000 a year, more than the governor makes, gets a Ford Explorer as his company car and is afforded another special perk:

Even though he’s not a government employee, he is entitled to a full state pension.

He’s among hundreds of lobbyists in at least 20 states who get public pensions because they represent associations of counties, cities and school boards, an Associated Press review found. Legislatures granted them access decades ago on the premise that they serve governments and the public. In many cases, such access also includes state health care benefits.

……….

The debate is more about principle than big money, since the staffs of such organizations are relatively small and make barely a ripple in huge state retirement systems. The eight New York associations, for example, have fewer than 120 total employees out of 633,100 current workers in the state’s $158.7 billion pension system.

Still, the issue raises a public policy question as many states and taxpayers struggle to fund their pension obligations required by law.

“There is liability for taxpayers,” said Keith Brainard, research director of the National Association of State Retirement Administrators. “Providing a pension benefit involves some amount of risk for the state and when you provide access to employees of entities that are not in control of the state.”

Unlike state government, for example, these groups aren’t bound by salary restrictions — significant salary increases would result in increasing pension benefits.

These people have way too much influence and way too many benefits that they do not deserve…..

At NO point are lobbyists a government employee……..they are paid by special interests to bribe and blackmail elected official into complying to the wishes of their handlers…….no where is this acceptable….but I guess if enough palms are greased they can do whatever they like……thoughts?

Ever Heard Of James Mill?

College of Political knowledge

Since the SCOTUS judgment on the “Citizen United” case there has been a massive argument or exchange or debate on the values or not of letting special interests buy the government (in case there is any doubt….I think the ruling was the most detrimental ruling in a century)……..I have given my readers lots to think about…at least I hope they are thinking and acting……over the years many political philosophers have seen the harm that could be done by special interest cash flowing to politicians……

In case there is any doubt…..I have been a radical from most of my adult life and have studied the radical theories and writings throughout history….I happen to remember something written by an English radical, James Mill not to be confused with John Stuart Mill (that is a post for another day)……however James was his father.

The Utilitarian and Philosophic Radical James Mill (1773-1836) wrote a series of articles for the Supplement to the 1825 edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica. In the article on “Government” he warns of the dangers of the selfish and “sinister interests” all those who wield power, unless checked by an informed people:

We have seen already, that if one man has power over others placed in his hands, he will make use of it for an evil purpose; for the purpose of rendering those other men the abject instruments of his will. If we, then, suppose, that one man has the power of choosing the Representatives of the people, it follows, that he will choose men, who will use their power as Representatives for the promotion of this his sinister interest.

We have likewise seen, that when a few men have power given them over others, they will make use of it exactly for the same ends, and to the same extent, as the one man. It equally follows, that, if a small number of men have the choice of the Representatives, such Representatives will be chosen as will promote the interests of that small number, by reducing, if possible, the rest of the community to be the abject and helpless slaves of their will.

In all these cases, it is obvious and indisputable, that all the benefits of the Representative system are lost. The Representative system is, in that case, only an operose and clumsy machinery for doing that which might as well be done without it; reducing the community to subjection, under the One, or the Few.

When we say the Few, it is seen that, in this case, it is of no importance whether we mean a few hundreds, or a few thousands, or even many thousands. The operation of the sinister interest is the same; and the fate is the same, of all that part of the community over whom the power is exercised. A numerous Aristocracy has never been found to be less oppressive than an Aristocracy confined to a few.

The general conclusion, therefore, which is evidently established is this; that the benefits of the Representative system are lost, in all cases in which the interests of the choosing body are not the same with those of the community.

Since the beginning (well almost) men with far reaching thinking have seen the damage that money and special interests can do when it drives the political agenda…..and what that agenda  can do to the health of democracy….WHY CAN’T WE?

Get The Money Out!

Do you ever feel left out of the election process?

Our political system is for sale!  Every election is bought and paid for by special interests.  This is NOT a new thing….our system has been bought and sold for decades.  We need to get back to “for the people, by the people”……but what can we do to achieve this?  I mean even the Supreme Court is siding with the special interests when it ruled that corporations are people too and can give as much as they like to a candidate…..what can we do?

If you are tired of the system known as “auction politics” and want to end the rule of special interests over our politics then check out two cases where people are trying to do something about the problem……

First, there is the Fair Elections Now Act…….

The Fair Elections Now Act (S. 750 and H.R. 1404) was re-introduced in 2011 in the Senate by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and in the House of Representatives by Reps. John Larson (D-Conn.), Walter Jones, Jr. (R-N.C.), and Chellie Pingree (D-Maine). The bill would allow federal candidates to choose to run for office without relying on large contributions, big money bundlers, or donations from lobbyists, and would be freed from the constant fundraising in order to focus on what people in their communities want  http://www.fairelectionsnow.org

Looks like a pretty good place to start the take-back of our political system……check out the site and sign the petition if you agree with me…….

There is another attempt to take back our political system….this one was started by MSNBC’s Dylan Ratigan and a Washington lobbyists, among other, like me…….the effort is called Get Money Out…..

“No person, corporation or business entity of any type, domestic or foreign, shall be allowed to contribute money, directly or indirectly, to any candidate for Federal office or to contribute money on behalf of or opposed to any type of campaign for Federal office. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, campaign contributions to candidates for Federal office shall not constitute speech of any kind as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution or any amendment to the U. S. Constitution. Congress shall set forth a federal holiday for the purposes of voting for candidates for Federal office.”

This is the effort that I like but please go check out the site and if you agree with us please sign the petition so we can get to serious work……. http://www.getmoneyout.com/

We can make our elections more democratic.  If you agree then please help us in our effort to wrestle our politics from the hands of special interests…..we could use your help….but only if you think it is worthy of your assistance……