Election reform is what is needed, particularly reform in campaign financing. As long as it takes millions of dollars to finance even a local official's campaign for office, and tens of millions of dollars for a candidate for national office, I don't see that there is much hope of getting the big corporate backers out of the system. Other than to pass a bunch of laws. But—

Who is it that has to pass these laws? The legislators who have to depend on this source of money to get elected to office in the first place! Does the word "Catch" and the number "22" come to mind? Even the legislators who want to reform campaign financing—and eliminate the corrupting influence of lobbyists with deep pockets—find that they are dependent on these moneys if they are to get into office in the first place and then have a ghost of a chance of getting re-elected. Monkey on the back.

It ain't gonna happen, not because all that many legislators necessarily want to keep it going, but because the whole system as it currently works depends on it.

I have recommended a particular book a number of times here in these political discussions. From the nature of said discussions (including this one), I know that not all that many people have read it. But with dim hope, I'll recommend it again:

CLICKY #1

Everybody, including some fairly knowledgeable people, think they know what democracy is, but damn few really do. This small book—a mere 12 bucks, and a very easy read—is full of surprises. When you've read it, you will have a much better understanding of it. You will also understand why the United States is not really a democracy. And you will learn what you can do about it. Get the book. Read it. At least read the last chapter, "Are Americans Ready for Democracy?"

If we want to have a real democracy in this country, it will take time and a lot of work. And it will happen only if people demand it. We are still that much of a democracy.

In the meantime, in order to accomplish things in the system as it stands, I can find no better method than one put forth in a article I have also recommended here many times.

I know that, as many times as I have recommended this book and this article, not all that many people here have worked up enough energy to read it. I know this because of the things that people keep saying. Anyway, the article is this:

CLICKY #2.

Will anybody actually read these two items?

Probably not. That's one of the reasons we're in the mess we're in.

"Democracy is a terrible system of organizing a society,. but it's better than any of the others."
                                                                                                                      – Winston Churchill

Don Firth