Politics vs. Capitalism 2

You know, that title from yesterday got me thinking about the general state of politics in today’s society. I’ve seen so many people against the so called Tea Party and I can’t quite figure out why. The main thing I keep seeing is fiscal responsibility as a platform and I’m thinking to myself “How can this be a bad thing?” Sure, there might be fruit loops among the bunch but name one group, anywhere, where that isn’t true. I dare you!

So, I’m pretty upset about the state of politics in America. It seems like the big money buys the election. Why is that so? Shouldn’t runners win on their own merits instead of the merits of slander and sleaze? I don’t see any ads saying “vote for me because I’m this really good guy.” Instead, I see ads saying “don’t vote for the other guy cause he’s an a-hole.” (or something similar.) Seems to me this mentality of money + douchebag = winner is the incorrect way of thinking.

I mean, if I were in charge of things, I’d do it differently. I’d ban all special interest and corporate funding. I’d ban bad ethics advertising. Let people do their own research. People say that in order to be a true democracy, everyone should be made to vote. I say that uneducated voting is just as sad and potentially dangerous. I’d say an oligarchy is a viable alternative but when oligarchy(s) (I’m sure I spelled that wrong) establish themselves, things have the potential to go very wrong. The sad truth of the matter is that if you give a group power, they’ll find a way to exploit it and lord it over those without power. Think “Animal Farm” Or, hell, even apartheid.

As it stands, now, those with money are the new power. They throw their millions around and everyone flocks to see them. Back in the 1800s you could literally buy a noble title with enough money. It wasn’t a standard transaction like going to Costco and picking up the “Nobility” card from the shelf to take to the front, but it was a transaction nonetheless. In today’s society it’s the same thing. We glorify those people that do very little (actors, athletes, etc). Making 20 million per picture or even 1 million per picture is a bit excessive even if it films over the course of a year. Same thing with athletes.

But, I digress.

The reality is that elections are more or less moot points. Bush proved it with his whole recount debacle. Money is the power and most people won’t try to do anything abut it.