I don't think there's a single politician in whom I have more trust than mistrust.

[Stinky The Clown]

The cause is the system more than the individuals, but as long as they have to spend a shitload of money to get into, and then remain, in office is how long that mistrust will remain.

Principles are fungible when self preservation is put into the mix.

[mmonk]

1. I'm with you though Elizabeth Warren is on my radar as someone

who may have integrity.

[CoffeeCat]

5. She does have integrity...

...and she would have been wonderful in a position, such as head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau,
where she could actually have a real effect.

Someone with her integrity will never be allowed to be in that kind of a "gatekeeper" position. The banks won't have it.

As a Senator--she will be one of many, and will not have the power to affect change. The 'powers that be'
don't give a rip if there is a Kucinich here or a Bernie Sanders there. Fiery speeches are ok. A break
up of their power trip, is another.

No. Elizabeth Warren will be no threat to them as one of many.

Quite the shame.

[cali]

2. so you mistrust bernie more than you trust him?

principles may indeed be fungible when self-preservation is in the mix, but not every politician views re-election as "self-preservation".

I trust more of my elected officials more than I mistrust them.

I'm gladder than ever that I live in Vermont.

[VWolf]

3. Unfortunately, the political system as it is

makes it nearly impossible for anyone with integrity to survive within it. So we're left with the likes of Bachmann, Lieberman, Perry & Walker.

[Little Star]

6. I don't understand that. I agree it is real but why? ..

Why would a Dem not stand up with integrity right from their first term? Even if that would be their last?

The only conclusion I can reach is money. It really is all about making it to the money, holding on until then!!!

Am I wrong?

[PassingFair]

4. I still trust Howard Dean and his brother, Jim.

They can retire here, and I'll take care of them
in their old age.

They inspired me to care and to believe that
a difference can be made.

[hifiguy]

7. There are a few

Keith Ellison, Bernie Sanders, Al Franken, Elizabeth Warren, Dennis Kucinich. I rather like Sherrod Brown, too. But there are damn few.

[LeftinOH]

8. Many Republican politicians can be trusted-

-that is, trusted to fulfill the expectations of the people who elected them. They say exactly what they mean, and they do exactly what they promised. I'd like to see some Dems be so trustworthy.

[NNN0LHI]

9. Yea, remember getting that compassionate conservatism and no nation building that Bush promised?

Oh, wait a minute ...

Don

[demwing]

10. Al Franken,

Bernie Sanders, Howard Dean, Al Gore, and Jimmy Carter (he's stil "President Carter.")

[Jmaxfie1]

17. Id love to see al run against one of these Tea Partiers. n/t

[Greybnk48]

11. Elizabeth Warren will be on my list, Howard Dean and

Bernie Sanders. These three come to mind as reasonable yet principled people.

[ret5hd]

12. don't forget DK

[stellanoir]

13. Clearly when a job pays a miniscule fraction of what it costs

to attain a position, truly representative leadership is completely undermined and is damn near a complete and total fallacy since they're beholden to their big donors first and foremost.

Add citizen's united fallout , voter suppression, hackable EVM's, and a ever compliant media to the mix, and we're thoroughly hosed.

Oh well. At least more and more people are gaining a clue and are increasingly sick & tired of being lied to.

Have a nice day anyway.

[Desertrose]

20. Yeah, pretty much what you said.

:hi: Stella :hug:


So people are waking up....at last...but now what'll they (we) do?

[closeupready]

14. I agree, except I don't let people off the hook as you seem to.

nt

[Stinky The Clown]

16. That's a curious comment

Who am I letting off what hook?

[closeupready]

21. well it sort of seems like you blame systemic failures for what is really

corruption of the integrity of individuals. Not 100%, but at least 50%, right?

[Stinky The Clown]

22. Yes, right.

Even if a person starts out with integrity, in order to stay in office they need to sell out. It is virtually impossible not to. The system ensures that only those who sell out stay in office.

Said another way, the system corrupts those with any integrity who wish to stay in office.

I should think I placed some people on the hook who many think don't deserve it. Look at the replies to this thread. Some feel people like Sanders and Kucinich, or their own local politicians, are beyond my charge. I am less willing to cede that.

[closeupready]

23. Then on that point, we share yet something else with third world countries.

By that I mean, as a rule, in these banana republics/emerging democracies where crookedness and corruption (that are at the very heart of why these congressional bodies do not serve the interests of voters) are like bread and water - honest lawmakers must either cheat and whore skillfully, or else TPTB (that control over 90% of their colleagues) will destroy them.

This is part of why I am somewhat pessimistic about the future of our 'democracy'.

[jwirr]

15. I trust my MN senators and Keith Ellison, Bernie Sanders and some

others in our progressive caucus. I want to trust President Obama.

[Romulox]

18. No Michigan politician is worth a damn. Our Congresspeople stink, too.

Anyone wonder why the state MOST devastated by NAFTA, MFN China has two DLCer Senators, for example? "Effective democracy" isn't the answer. :shrug:

[PassingFair]

24. I don't think Levin is DLC...

Stabenow definitely is.

I'm glad she finally dumped Tom Athans though.....

[Ganja Ninja]

19. Hello I'd like you to meet Bernie Sanders.

http://bernie.org/