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I am almost at a loss as to
how to begin this blog entry. I’ve been reading this book and studying this
topic for a while now. I think I’m ready to publicly tackle it. It pushes my
informational limits.
Ever since I was little, it’s
been made clear to me that Congress is
corrupt. I never knew why, I just knew
that everyone in my life was unsatisfied with its performance. As an eighteen
year old Political Science and Journalism Major, I now strive to find out why.
A public intellectual and
activist by the name of Lawrence Lessig came to speak at my college a little
while back, accompanied by another man who I know significantly less about by
the name of Jeffrey D. Clements.
The topic they tackled: Money
in Politics.
I bought both of their books
after their presentation, and had them signed because I was sure the
opportunity would not present itself again. The books I purchased were Republic, Lost by Lawrence Lessig and Corporations Are Not People by Jeffrey
D. Clements.
I have not yet read the
latter book, but I have quite literally just finished Lessig’s book.
It’s a very good read, comprehensive
on the topic of the corruption of Congress through its means of campaign
fundraising, and certainly required a great amount of mental exertion.
I’m going to attempt to
outline the main points of the book the best I can, but I still recommend you
read it, or at least check out Lessig’s TED Talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/lawrence_lessig_we_the_people_and_the_republic_we_must_reclaim.html
Basically, the main cause of
corruption in Congress are lobbyists and Super PAC’s, raising insane amounts of
money for candidates with corporate interests in mind and creating a sort of “gift”
economy and culture on the Hill which motivates Senators and Representatives to
act in the interests of the wealthy as opposed to the interests of the greater
body of “ordinary” citizens.
Congress members would act in
the interests of these Lobbyists and their companies in order to secure for
themselves a high paying job as a lobbyist or board member after their term
ended.
Yikes. So, how does Lessig propose
this issue be combatted?
1.
Write and pass a bill to limit individual
contributions to campaigns
2.
Have non-politicians run in Congressional races
for the sole purpose of promoting “clean-money” campaigning and force other
politicians who otherwise would not run “clean-money” to either admit their
against it or join in and support that kind of campaigning
3.
Elect a President whose sole purpose is to “(1)
hold the government hostage until Congress enacts a program to remove the
fundamental corruption that is our government, and (2) once that program is
enacted, she will resign.” (Lessig, 285).
4.
Call and Article V Convention made up of
representatives not holding a seat in Congress to pursue Constitutional reform.
5.
A combination of all four aforementioned.
This is a very limited
outline I am presenting to you. I recommend you do some research on your own.
Definitely at least watch the TED Talk. You will not be disappointed.
Also, check out http://www.rootstrikers.org/#!/
I’m a Rootstriker now.
You should be too.
