My Number One Issue Is Billionaires Running The Planet As As A Giant Cash Machine For Themselves

[RAAD2]

The fact that money has such a huge influence on EVERYTHING is the main cause for every problem our country and planet face.

I care about criminal justice reform, and sex inequality, and me too, but these take a back seat for me to billionaire control of our government, and most of the political process.

One candidate has been fighting for the little guy their whole career, and doesn't take $$ from our wealthy owners.

I am not saying anyone is "corrupt" but there is no way to deny the influence money has on everything our government does. Even if a candidate doesn't do favors for the wealthy outright, they can't fight them too much, or they will be attacked viciously by, basically, wealth. Democrat of Republican.

We need to get the money out, and elect a Roosevelt type who will "welcome their hatred" as he used to say. That's my opinion.

It's not so much about labels, and who is and isn't a whatever. My idea of what makes a Democrat is vastly different than many others.

I am simply tired of people attacking all the folks who truly fight for the little guy with all they got. All of them.

Half of eligible voters don't vote, and we need to show them they need to vote for Democrats because we are on their side, unless they are filthy rich. If they are rich, we support a system where they can still get ahead. Our party does a lot for the less well off, but too many of them don't realize it. We all lose.

My support will be for the candidate that takes on the billionaire class.

Who will that be?

[QC]

1. Are we allowed to discuss issues here?

[Puzzledtraveller]

2. They do

and we fall for it, once upon a time we were against globalism (that being liberals), yes, globalism is inextricably tied to the monumental wealth of the ruling global billionaires.

[RAAD2]

11. Globalism Is Fine If It Benefits The People As Well As The Owners Of Global Monopolies

But that't not the way it works.

That's why 50,000 people showed up in Seattle to protest the WTO, and they have to have their meetings in the weeds now.

Globalism is a reality. Having the spoils mostly go to the .01% is also a reality. It can be changed.

I hope all the candidates understand the little guy is the voter.

[pecosbob]

3. Cue the posts claiming policy objectives A and B will hurt Democrats

[QC]

5. According to rich people, we must never do anything

that inconveniences rich people.

Because, you know, VENEZUELA!!!!!11!!

[guillaumeb]

4. One of my recent posts about this subject:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211831587

Welcome to DU.

When the SCOTUS equates money as speech, bribery is effectively legalized.

[Leith]

6. That's a big issue and includes some gigantic "sub" issues

First, Citizens United. With billionaires running the world, the rest of us are reduced to being underpaid, overworked indentured servants for life. Get money out of politics so that money doesn't run politics and government.

Second, regulations. There are very good reasons for regulations - it's because people and corporations fuck up the environment, finance, and laws. It was unregulated industry that turned the Cuyahoga River into a fire hazard. It wasn't poor people who were responsible for the air pollution. Here's Pittsburgh in the 1940s:

http://www.steelcactus.com/PGH1940_1

It is the billionaire class that got all the tax advantages this year and it shows.

[ehrnst]

7. Are you saying that there can't be more than one Dem who takes on the billionaire class?

I believe that is what all the Democratic candidates are doing.


And remember, FDR was very wealthy, very experienced in federal government and very establishment.

[pecosbob]

9. King for a day?

1. publicly finance elections.
2. outlaw private contributions to political candidates as well as the use of personal funds.
3. eliminate corporate taxes on American corporations.
4. make all capital gains standard taxable income and raise those tax brackets.
5. institute public health care and remove the burden from American corporations making them competitive in the world market.
6. enact stiff tariffs on all non-American corporations.
7. enact heavy criminal penalties for all American corporate violations of workers' rights and environmental abuses.
8. enact a real safety net and a living wage for all Americans.
9. enact programs to account for economic harm to workers for above changes.
10. call it a day and have a beer.

But then, I'm just a dumb-ass country boy...what do I know.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

10. Last time it was "millionaires and billionaires." What changed?