A Lesson in Fractured Politics (and 10 Common Sense Solutions)

We've often discussed how America is no longer a Constitutional or democratic Republic over the years. America, as you know, is an Corporatocracy , run by an Oligarchy comprised small clique of very rich individuals who are pulling the political strings of this country.  As various academic studies have shown, the average taxpayer in this country has a statistically probably of zero percent of having any real influence on Congress. 

Compare this with corporations, who spend millions on lobbyists and millions more on financing campaigns and underwriting politicians, who have a near 100% likelihood of success in getting what they want from Congress (not to mention the fact that the same corporate lobbyists actually write the legislation they want passed). 

In 2020, 55 corporations alone spent $450 million dollars over three campaign cycles and sent 526 lobbyists to Washington to make sure they got what they wanted..and paid for..  So, is it any wonder that the majority of these same companies not only pay nothing in taxes, but often get back millions of taxpayer dollars?

Just so you don't think that only one party is to blame, remember that these lobbyists cater to both sides of aisle. The top two House and Senate Democrat committees received $1.45 million dollars while the same committees on the Republican side were given $1.3 million. In exchange for enabling them to avoid federal taxes, these same 55 corporations got back $3.5 billion dollars in paid taxes and avoided another $8.5 billion in potential taxes.

Who are these companies?  While you could just go down the list of major Wall Street companies, a few stand out. One is Archer Daniels Midland, the giant food conglomerate. They made $438 million dollars in pre-tax profit. Not only did they avoid paying any federal taxes, they actually got a tax rebate of $164  million dollars. Athletic apparel maker, Nike, made $2.9 billion dollars and paid nothing in federal taxes. Instead, they got a rebate of $109 million dollars.

FedEx earned a profit of $1.2 billion dollars and received a rebate of $230 million dollars. Of course, there are many more, and these don't even include companies like Exxon, Facebook, Apple, Netflix, Chevron, General Motors  and others like them who either paid no federal taxes, or next to nothing.

Of course, each one will tell you that they paid what taxes they were obligated to paid. But what they won't tell you is how their lobbyists, either directly or through trade and professional associations, were able to lobby members of Congress into sponsoring bills they (the lobbyists) wrote or helped write and shepherded through the various committees and onto the House and/or Senate floor for a final vote.

I'll Take Two Congressmen and Hold the Mayo

According to OpenSecrets, in 2020, lobbyists paid out $14,869,908 to Democrats and $14,175,224 to Republicans (the average "donation" was about $30,000). Another $129,095 went to other individuals such as senior staffers. Of the money given, almost all of it went to incumbents. Now, do you want to know who was the beneficiaries in 2020? Well, I'll tell you.

In 2020, the top beneficiary of Corporate America's largess was none other than Joe Biden who received $776,590.  David Purdue (R-GA) got $712,710. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) took in $593,330. Next was Thom Tillis (R-NC) who was gifted $558,702. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) saw $537,229 in donations from lobbyists. Among other notables, Donald Trump (R) received only $269,112. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) got $153,936. Dick Durbin (D-IL) picked up $145,600 while Liz Cheney (R-WY) saw $123,170.  Chuck Schumer (D-NY) got $116,463.

Now, while this might not seem like a lot, remember this was just one election cycle and doesn't include any in-kind contributions, nor does it include any monies donated by corporate lobbyists to various partisan committees (such as the National Republican Senatorial Committee which received $2,771,454  or Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee which took in $1,111,816).

Often these committees redirect money to certain campaigns, "Leadership Committees", or political action committees (aka PACs) which are set up to avoid donation caps and, in many cases, are designed to give the false impression of widespread popular support for some issue or candidate.

I would be remiss not to point out that most members of Congress put in an average 10 -12 hour day, of which over half is typically used not on "the People's business" as Nancy Pelosi likes to say, but on fundraising either for themselves, the party, a committee or PAC. As for writing bills, that's all subbed out to corporate lobbyists.

There should be no question in your minds that are Republic is gone. We have no one in Washington, or our state capitols, or even City Hall writing legislation for us. We the People can't even remotely hope to raise the kind of money that Corporate America does. Even unions can't compete. The best they can do is raising one dollar for every five dollars Wall Street gives. Such was the folly of Citizens United and unbelievable ignorance and political naiveté of the Chief Justices.

With gerrymandering practically guaranteeing a particular candidate's reelection and unlimited terms for most seats, who in their right mind can call this a democracy; a government of, by, and for the People?  To make matters worse, the same corporations which own government also own the media.

 That means they control and dictate content, and unless you have access to other sources of media outside the mainstream, you're not going to know what's really going on (as an aside, even your entertainment, be it music, movies, television, video game, or sports is controlled by the same folks. How does that make you feel---warm and fuzzy?). 

The House Always Wins

We're living in a dystopian society better constructed than the best SciFi author. Not even the great Ray Bradbury, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Frank Herbert, Isaac Asimov, or George Orwell could have come up with this, although they came close! The question (indeed, the only real question which matters) is what, if anything, we can do about it?

I think that at some deep level, we already have a sense of what needs to be done. We know the system is broke beyond repair. "Reform" at this point would be like trying to duck tape the Titanic. I don't think even Flex Seal will work! First, we need to stop thinking like partisans. We're Americans first, last, and foremost. Second, we have to accept the fact that the Founding Fathers were right when it came to political parties---they're wrong for society. They serve an interest which isn't the American People.

Third, we need to register to vote and encourage others to vote. In fact, voter registration should be automatic when you turn 18. As an aside, yes, we need photo IDs to vote. It doesn't discriminate against anyone except those trying to rig elections. A picture ID is the only way to ensure the right people shows up to vote. We need to go back to paper ballots. They weren't always perfect, and they took a bit longer, but they were harder to manipulate.

Elections need to be held either on the weekend or it should be a federal holiday. Fourth, we need voter initiatives and referendums. It's our right as citizens to place issues on the ballot, which is why career politicians fear them. Fifth, we need term limits to end career politicians and the accompanying cronyism.

Next, we need to end gerrymandering. Politicians shouldn't be allowed to pick their voters. Seventh, we need Rank Choice Voting to ensure we get the best choices available. Eighth, we must have a level political field. That means that the same rules apply for Independent and third party candidates as it does for partisan ones.

If a Democrat or Republican need just three signatures to get on the ballot, then why should a Independent or third party candidate need a hundred or a thousand (or more, depending on the office)? It's discrimination and it's illegal. Additionally, the public deserves to hear all points of view. Therefore, all candidates on the ballot should be included in all debates.

 Ninth, no political office should be partisan. When you're elected, you are elected to serve everyone, not just those of your party. As it is now, if someone outside your party is elected for your district, you aren't represented for the length of that term.  You also get the privilege of still having to pay taxes despite not being represented. Let that sink in!  All incoming office holders should resign from their political party in order to represent everyone in their district and community or state as a whole.

Finally, we absolutely must get corporate money out of politics. Citizens United was wrong. It effectively removed the ordinary citizen from having any influence in politics. It made Congress a de facto Millionaire's Club. We need to create other ways of financing elections, including public financing, free (but limited) TV and air time for candidates, and restricting the length of "campaign season" as a number of other countries do (many limit it to 60 or 90 days).

As an aside, speaking of campaign finance reform and the "Millionaire's Club" Congress, I thought you'd find this interesting. Remember those financial beneficiaries of lobbyists I mentioned above? Did you know that Kelly Loeffler's net worth is $500 million? David Perdue's is $15.9 million. Dick Durbin's $3 million. Mitch McConnell's is over $22.5 million. Nancy Pelosi's net worth is $120 million, while Thom Tillis' is about $10.5 million. Finally, Joe Biden's net worth is over $9 million. Don't sound like "common folk" to me. Do they to you? Oh, and there some whose net worth is far greater.

None of this isn't about scare mongering. This is reality. You can research it yourself just as I've done over many years. It's a lot of work, but there's a lot of us too. Pick one or two from the list above and get busy, or maybe come up with one of your own. But know that we can do it. We've overcome greater obstacles in our nation's past. We have to do this if we want our country and our Republic back. The alternative is to prepare for the long dark night that is surely to come. if you want to know more, check out the links below. They're a great way to start.

 

Corporations That Paid Zero Federal Income Tax Spent $400million in Lobbying

55 Corporations Paid $0 in Federal Taxes on 2020 Profits

60 Top Corporations Paid $0 Federal Tax Dollars Under TrumpTax Law

OpenSecrets: Lobbyists

OpenSecrets: Top Recipients of Contributions from Lobbyists2020

Not A Single Person in Congress Actually Writes Legislation or Laws. It's All Subbed Out to K Street

When Lobbyists Literally Write the Bill

The Vanishing Middle Class

We are told constantly that the U.S. economy is booming; that we are witnessing one of the most robust economies in recent memories. We're told that thousands of former U.S. jobs which had shipped overseas are finally coming back home. From the reports, Americans should be giddy from all the growth. But we're not. In fact, most Americans are barely making it.

As most of us know (or should know), the Middle Class, which has been the backbone of this country since its founding, has been under an incessant attack for almost four decades. According to a recent report from the U.S. Social Security Administration, nearly 50% of the Middle Class earns less than $33,000. That works out to be $2,750---before taxes.

To break it down further, 46% of Americans earn under $30,000. 58% make under $40,000, and 67% bring in less than $50,000. But the statistic of real importance is this--- 44% struggle to pay their bills. After taxes, many American routinely have to choose between which bill to pay now and being able to buy groceries or other essentials such as clothes, school supplies, car repairs, etc. As an aside, the poverty level for a family of four is $25,750. That means the half of America is living on the financial edge. Nearly a quarter of all Americans receive welfare benefits while 49% receive at least some form of regular monthly government assistance.

Meanwhile, senior corporate officers are seeing their salaries and benefit packages blossom. Their salaries have increased 937% since 1978, giving them an average salary of $15.6 million dollars; faster growth than the stock market according to the Economic Policy Institute. That's approximately 30 times the salary of an average employee (union or non-union). Meanwhile, adjusted for inflation, the average worker has seen their pay increase by only 11.2% over the same period. I know being a president or CEO isn't for the fainthearted, but that's outrageous.

There are those who say "get a better job" or "go back to school". Well, despite the growth in the number of jobs, the pay is often fairly low while benefits are no longer a given as they once were. As for going back to school, most individuals can't afford to either take the time off to beef up their academic credentials or afford the overinflated costs of higher education. We're heard countless stories of individuals graduating from college with a debt that will take decades to pay off. Of course, in all fairness, there are those who graduate with practically worthless degrees who may never be able to pay off the school debt.

I would be remiss not to point out that while the majority of new jobs are on the lower end of the pay scale, there is an abundance of vocational or trade vocations in desperate need of being filled. In addition, they pay very well (many over $50,000 annually) and often include those ever increasingly rare benefits. I'm talking about plumbers, electricians, carpenters, welders, HVAC mechanics, stone and brick masons, and so forth.

For some reason we've allowed ourselves to be convinced that every job should require a college degree. They don't. What they require is high school graduates being able to perform at a higher than eighth grade level; individuals who can read, write, do basic math and have critical thinking skills. Since the 1960's, we've seen the quality of public education repeatedly dumbed down so as not to "offend" anyone or make them feel "bad" about themselves. As a result, students across the board have been forced to suffer. But, nevertheless, it reinforces the point that not everyone is college material.

Meanwhile, we have created a society ever dependent on service oriented jobs, which are, again, typically low paying. Individuals in the fast food business have been clamoring for $15 an hour pay; claiming they can't support a family with their current wage. No doubt that's true, but then again, fast food jobs were intended to be "starter" jobs. Employment for those just getting starting in the job market like high school students. Aside from manager positions, they weren't intended to be jobs to supporting families.

In addition, automation has taken many of the typical production jobs which were once the domain of the well paid blue collar Middle Class. Add to this the high number of illegal immigrants who are employed in many entry level and service jobs. As a rule, these are generally low paying work with few or any benefits requiring very low skills (even fluent English isn't always a requirement). Again, that speaks to both what's available and the quality of applicants.

We also have to consider the government. We are constantly seeing politicians and bureaucrats pushing for higher taxes, not to mention more and higher fees and rates on everything from water and sewers to electricity to property tax. Of course, they rarely miss an opportunity to raise their own salaries, but that's for another time. Meanwhile, they are doing their best to regulate anything and everything for the obvious purpose of finding new income streams to sink their greedy little hands into.

Regulation has become so bad that the average "mom and pop" business, the traditional economic backbone of this country and its largest private employer, can't afford to stay in business. This is especially true when you consider that the large mega corporations are usually propped up with tax breaks and taxpayer backed incentives, plus they can afford the best accountants, lawyers, and politicians money can buy.

As readers of Another Opinion already know, America is an Oligarchy. These ultra rich corporations and individuals literally own both major political parties as well as their politicians and top level bureaucrats. They "help" write key pieces of legislation and then use their financial influence to see to it that it's passed. The average small business person can't afford to hire a lobbyist, leaving them with very little power over their own existence.

So what do we do? This is a problem which has as many potential answers as it does problems. First, we have to accept that America cannot survive with half of its population literally living from paycheck to paycheck year after year. Right now the average American family is carrying about $38,000 in personal debt (not including student loans). Millennials and Gen Z between 18 and 24 already have an average debt of $22,000. Older Millennials, those between 25 and 34, are in debt to the tune of $42,000 while Gen X and Babyboomers have a debt of between $36,000 and $39,000.

If we add to that the fact that 40% of Americans can't come up with $400 to cover an emergency, we have a pretty bleak picture. Also bear in mind that the average American family has just under $5000 in their savings account; 58% have less than $1000, with a substantial number having no savings account at all. Sooner or later "something" is going to happen economically and "someone" is going to get the Old Maid. When that happens, the whole house of cards is coming down, and with it, the whole economy.

While many argue that we need to increase (almost perpetually) the minimum wage, the problem is that usually increases prices (after all, "someone" is going to have to absorb the increase and that "someone" is almost always the consumer). Perhaps it's time to abandon the concept of a minimum wage and let the marketplace decide. Those who won't pay a livable wage will be forced to adjust or go out of business.

Secondly, we need to cut regulations on small businesses and make it easier for them operate. The biggest stumbling block, aside from government regulation, has been in the area of benefits; especially insurance, which is why I like the idea of a single payer form of insurance where everyone is provided with a basic package and then given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance as their needs change (those making under a certain minimum income could receive either an income credit or discounted rate). It would at least be a starting point. We also need to encourage personal savings by eliminating taxes on accounts under $100,000.

We also need to stop underwriting mega corporations with taxpayer dollars. They are quite capable of taking care of themselves financially thank you. I suggest that a minimum income tax be imposed. The fact that Exxon, Chase, Apple and other global corporations pay zero income tax has to stop. Along those same lines, we must overturn the colossal "Citizens United" mistake by the Supreme Court.

This fiasco declared that corporations were "people" with the same rights as you and I, especially "free speech" which the court equated with money with the exception that corporations can give unlimited amounts while us mere mortals are still capped as to what we can donate. Corporations should be unable to donate money or provide support to any political party or candidate.

Equally, any contact between a government official and a corporate lobbyist should be public. No lobbyist should have input on any piece of legislation other than from an official request in the form of a public hearing open to all. Former public employees should also be required to wait seven years before accepting any position which brings them in contact with a government agency.

All tax, fee, and rate proposals must obtain public approval before being implemented. No more "nickel and dime" increases. This includes salaries for elected officials. Along with this is the need for term limits. This would go a long way to ending corruption and bringing fresh ideas to government. I propose a 12 year term---six 2 year terms for representatives, two 6 terms for senators, three 4 year terms for the executive branch as well as federal judges and the Supreme Court. We also must end partisan gerrymandering of districts. This does nothing more than keep incumbents in power. Districts must be balanced in order to reflect the residents, not the party.

Lastly, we must instill discipline back into the schools. School is about education, not babysitting and surely not tolerating violent students attacking or bullying other students or teachers. Expelling them only gives them what they want. Instead, they should be sent to "bootcamp" schools where discipline is enforced. Emphasis should remain focused on academics, not sports or other extracurricular activities.

Students must be taught history as well as civics. They need to know their collective roots and responsibilities as Americans. Students should be periodically tested to see where their interests and potential abilities might lead them, and then encouraged in that direction. Sex education should be focused on basic biology, not on being gay or transgendered or whatever.

America is more divided as a country right than at any time since the decade preceding the Civil War. Not only are politics more divisive than ever, but the divisiveness is even fanned by the corporate controlled media. The same goes with how we treat one another. We've become all about what we want when we want it without regard for others. A act of compassion or kindness is almost so rare as to make the news it seems. Where has our sense of respect and civility gone?

If we fail to save the Middle Class (or what's left of it), America will truly become a two tier society; a nation of haves and have not (we're pretty close to that already). There are parts of this nation which are now almost indistinguishable from third world countries. We fall in the lower half of most official rankings in health, happiness, freedom, education while ranking at or near the top in incarceration, crime, poverty, and violence.

We've already lost our Republic to the Oligarchy, leaving us with an illusion of control. We must retake our country, and in doing so restore not just our Middle Class. We must not ask for permission to reclaim our country and its way of life. We must demand it.



Goodbye Middle Class: 50% Of American Workers Make Less Than $33,000 A Year


CEOs make $15.6 million on average---here's how much their pay has increased compared to yours over the year

Good paying blue collar jobs go unfilled in tight labor market

Here's how much debt American have at every age