195 Comments
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Luis Varela's avatar

Agreed, but don’t omit the Democratic legislators either. This is a poison that infects the totality of the body politic. Remember Rep Pelosi refused to condemn insider trading by congress people. Our representatives in many instances are in Washington and State houses because “That’s where the money is” and don’t forget scotus either,

AndieMick's avatar

Right? Especially lately I see very little difference except republicans while loathsome are actually more effective in their evils deeds. Does this make the democratic wing.. complicit? Ineffective?

CLYDE KOBAYASHI's avatar

“Politics” is a reflection of “Human Nature” Politics is never a “binary choice” The minute anyone thinks it is they turn the political party of their choice into a “cult.” Donald Trump’s “MAGA Movement” overshadowed the “Republican Party” but is not Republican Party. The identity of the “Democratic and Republican Parties” are interchangeable. Abraham Lincoln was a “Republican” in the 19th Century “Republicans” were the “progressive, liberal party” The “Democrats” were the “Conservatives.” The Great Depression triggered a “shake up” in identities starting with the 1929 Stock Market Crash. Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s (FDR) programs during this period i.e. “The New Deal” etc. signalled a “switch” in Party identities. From “FDR” on, Democrats became known as “liberals” and Republicans as “conservatives.”

Jaime Ramirez's avatar

Actually all 3 Republican Presidents between relatively liberal Woodrow Wilson (1913-21) & our most progressive (& successful) President ever, Franklin Roosevelt (1933=45), were all conservative Republicans, whose corruption (Harding), & laissez-faire economics (Coolidge) led us to the Stock Market Crash of '29 during Hoover's administration & the ensuing Republican Great Depression. Republicans have been quite conservative, even fascist (Trump), ever since, except for the best of them, the moderate Dwight Eisenhower.

Jaime Ramirez's avatar

Both McKinley & Taft were considered quite conservative Republicans during the beginning of the 20th Century, although the Republican President in-between them, trustbuster Theodore Roosevelt, was one of our most progressive Presidents, much like his distant cousin Franklin, so much so that he was disgusted enough with his Republican successor Taft (his former VP) that he ran against him as head of a new party called (what else?) the Progressive Party (nicknamed "Bull Moose") & eventual President Wilson, but Teddy did chalk up the best performance ever by a 3rd party candidate, coming in a strong 2nd. Practically all presidents, Republican or Democratic, in the latter part of the 19th Century were pretty conservative, leading to the Gilded Age, the period of greatest wealth inequality until the late 1920s on the eve of the Great Depression & then again in the present, thanks to Citizens United, huge tax cuts for the filthy rich & the Trump era.

CLYDE KOBAYASHI's avatar

I am going to “date myself” the first President I remember was Eisenhower, in the late 50s. As memory serves, however it wasn’t until I was older that I learned he was a Five Star General and the “Supreme Commander of the Allie Expeditionary Force in Europe, during WW II, and as fate would have it I’m still learning about his life.

Since my Ancestry is Japanese and my family were “eyewitnesses” to the Pearl Harbour Attack I have “mixed feelings” about FDR. Especially the older I’ve gotten.

Still, I’ve learned that toand why my father was a “staunch Republican” he was one of the few in Honolulu, that was labeled an “enemy alien” since as a Carpenter’s Apprentice he knew how to read blueprints.

My understanding of the cliché “with age comes wisdom” has evolved over the years, the “hardest” lesson I still learn daily is “nothing is as it appears to be.”

Old Tired Teacher's avatar

Those who call themselves Republicans today aren't actually Republicans. It reminds me historically of the splits in the party politics of the 1850's that led to Civil War

Hudson E Baldwin lll's avatar

Ike would be in the Squad today. 😂

Luis Varela's avatar

The General would be leading ANTIFA, Period!

Old Tired Teacher's avatar

Party identities have switched several times since the Civil War.

Kate Bostrom's avatar

Complicit? I think thanks to SCOTUS, getting elected is nearly impossible without PAC funds. Look what happened to Massie. SCOTUS is the primary problem. They held back Biden but amplify the unitary executive as much as possible as long as the executive continues the wealth transfer and White Christofascism. They control the country more than their billionaire employers because they wield “justice”. We need to out billionaire donors, boycott their products, list their economic, environmental and health ‘crimes’. We need to educate voters who are swirling in the extreme right info silo. We the public need to be politically informed and proactive throughout our lives. For those who say they’re not political because it doesn’t affect them, that’s just laziness and hoping someone else fixes their problems. (Isn’t that how the mad king got elected twice?) Politics effects each of us every minute we’re breathing.

CLYDE KOBAYASHI's avatar

Shall we dispense with “diplomatic niceties” when referring to the “Robert’s Court”

The “Robert’s Court” has forsaken their oath to “uphold and protect the Constitution”

By “favouring” Trump’s “Unitary Executive Authority” the Robert’s Court has thrown the Constitution “under the bus” and has “endorsed and favours” Trumpian FASCISM “UNITARY EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY” just another way

CLYDE KOBAYASHI's avatar

It is true that, politics has indeed permeated every aspect of our life. It is also true that SCOTUS is the source of our decline.

The ultimate question always was “why?” The latest “reason” is a law enacted in January 2010 called “Citizen’s United” that made the extraordinary claim; “corporations are people” and “money” is “speech”

In order to understand this extraordinary claim is important to understand “what” a “corporation” is.

The simplest explanation is “corporations” are “legal firewalls” put between “businesses” and “business owners” We see the importance of “corporations” by looking at a business owner’s “worst case scenario.”

Let’s say you have a “retail business” and a customer slips and falls in your Store and they “sue.” If you had a “corporation” around the business, the customer would have “sued” the store, not you, if the business lost the suit the business insurance policy pays the liability. If you did not “incorporate.” You personally pay the liability.

What “Citizens United” did was it gave large corporations like Standard Oil Inc or “whoever” to “the right to petition” SCOTUS like an “individual citizen” only their “petition” allows them to give Associate Justices like Clarence Thomas “lavish gifts” for “special favours”

If it looks corrupt is because it is corrupt! The difference is, Citizen’s United gave Billionaires like Harlan Crow the ability to bribe Justices like Clarence Thomas “legally” This is why it is important to “Repeal Citizen’s United” and close the “corporate loophole” Billionaires use to bribe SCOTUS Judges.

Melody Woolsey's avatar

Voters need to #VoteBlueInNumbersTooBigToRig so we can stop the fascism, pack the court, set ethics rules and times limits, and purge the corrupt, then start holding the criminals accountable. But, only if voters organize and work together against the true enemy of the people, the billionaires, who own us. Thanks so SCOTUS.

CLYDE KOBAYASHI's avatar

To “endorse” a FASCIST DICTATOR.

Noop's avatar

It’s complicity. Don’t fall for anything else they tell you. Red and Blue are friends on The Islands.

David's avatar

I agree Democrats may be “ineffective.” The vetting process in Maine was ineffective. Senator Sanders endorsed Platner. So did a lot of other Democrats. Then withdrew. Susan Collins is still “very concerned.”

Terry Helton's avatar

That’s right. Hold them all accountable

Elizabeth Sallee PhD's avatar

I am a Democrat, and you are right. Corruption, greed, insider trading are on both sides of the aisle. A few representatives and senators are honest and work to reflect what their constituents want. Many are self-serving.

Ragingsocialist's avatar

If they are not endorsed by @justicedemocrats they are suspect. I only support @justicedemocrats candidates.

Ragingsocialist's avatar

Both parties are neoliberals but only dems have progressive members. We need more progressive less GOP and less Corp Dems and we will see the change we want and need

Catie MorelleOliveira's avatar

Don’t forget Dave McCormick and traitor Fetterman

CLYDE KOBAYASHI's avatar

Right now TRUMP and a lot in the “House and Senate” are playing us ALL as “SUCKERS!” since they figure we are all “Constitutionally ignorant” and up to now they were “right”

Trump is another “story” he “thinks” he’s got the Republican Party too “scared” to “reign him in” he’ll be right unless we FORCE the “House and Senate” to DO THEIR JOBS!” so they can advise DA DANO! “how” to do HIS JOB!

Mari Lynn Young's avatar

Exactly!!!!! The Dems are JUST AS BAD. But they’re still trying to hide from the veneer of acting like “Republican whores”.

CLYDE KOBAYASHI's avatar

This is “why” we better “hit the books” and improve OUR “understanding” about the Constitution “that way” we CAN hold “both parties” ACCOUNTABLE

Nanci's avatar

Definitely both sides!!!

Laura Naugle's avatar

Yes, that was my first thought!

CLYDE KOBAYASHI's avatar

We need to “remember always” Donald Trump is an “illiterate dummy” our ability to keep him in “check” is to keep the “feet” of both the “House and Senate’s “IN THE FIRE” in the “end” it is only the “House and Senate” who can keep that “bastard” in CHECK because they are the people who sees the “schmuck” not “us”

Kara Smith's avatar

Sure? What Dems actually?

A Pat's avatar

We hold all corrupt politicians to the flame. Hold them to account.

Carol Gaikowski's avatar

The biggest crook of all sits in the Oval Office! It’s obscene the amount of money he and his family have made off this gig in less than TWO YEARS!!!

A Pat's avatar

It is beyond appalling. They deserve every rotten thing that comes their way!!!

Patricia Binda's avatar

Nothing has ever stopped Trump. Nobody holds him accountable, even the Supreme Court gives him a break! He gets away with everything!

Trish Sobul's avatar

BTW: We had better not be paying that cigar-chopping POS who made such a mess of the Reflecting Pool anything more. 😤

Trish Sobul's avatar

And now that he’s canceled programs that actually help people, like my friend whose 6 y/o autistic son will no longer receive therapy services, we need a Trumpian Arch to obstruct views and airplane ✈️ traffic. ☠️☠️🤦‍♀️

DebChilde's avatar

Our taxpayer money

Jon's avatar

No we don't. We reelect them. And they screw us again and again.

We even elect Felon child rapists who openly steal billions of tax dollars and take airplanes as gifts .

Teresa L.'s avatar

America does not hold corrupt leaders to account.

A Pat's avatar

It is effing mind blowing the corruption taking place. Idk how or when, but these people will pay. The corruption is beyond.

Patricia Binda's avatar

They rarely get held accountable.

A Pat's avatar

I hear you. And, as a member of the USA, I will not stop trying to hold them accountable. Someway, someday. Moreover, our votes this fall and moving forward can help in the process. People everyday are awaking to the fact that they need to fight resist oppose for themselves and for their community and fellow members of the US. For The People!

Lisa Lavin's avatar

REMEMBER, she was MORE concerned about SIDEWALK CHALK.

Then put RAPIST on SUPREME Court

Lisa Boulton's avatar

Publish this everywhere! Make a quick simple list with all the corrupt congressional leaders on both sides, so everyone can easily see who they are.

Michael Scott Gary's avatar

It's all of them.

All Democrats & Republicans in Congress & State Legislatures are corrupt & complicit in fraud, Capitalism & Fascism, & conspirators of genocide with Zionists.

All of them created the fraud Electoral College & fraud Superdelegates that negate the popular vote.

Francis Barresi's avatar

The deep swamp exists within both parties but which one is doing the most damage?

Jaime Ramirez's avatar

There are some not on this list. Henry Cuellar immediately comes to mind.

TimE's avatar

The love of money is the root of all evil. These are just a few of countless examples...

Marianne Voss's avatar

Luis is right that this is not a one-party disease, and I think the honest version of this argument has to say so out loud—I am a human rights attorney, and I document this administration’s record specifically by citing Republican sources and validators, because the moment it sounds like a team sport, the people who most need to hear it stop listening. So yes: stock-trading bans, revolving-door limits, and SCOTUS ethics should apply to everyone, full stop. But I would point to something in this list that is genuinely newer than the old revolving door, because it matters. The classic version was leave office, then cash in—lobby for the industry you used to regulate. What the Whatley example shows is different: Big Oil stock rising $630,000 in a single weekend off a government military action, while still in the political arena. That is not deferred enrichment after public service. That is enrichment from official acts, in real time, with the holdings still in hand. Sullivan owning millions in a chemical company while sitting on the committee that oversees it is the same compression. The door is not revolving anymore. It stopped turning, because you no longer have to leave the building to collect. That is the part worth holding everyone to, regardless of party—the conflict is not between office and the private payday now. The office is the payday.

CLYDE KOBAYASHI's avatar

“Maybe” it’s finally “sinking in” “Corporations are NOT people!” “money” is NOT “speech!” the FIRST AMENDMENT DOES NOT APPLY TO LARGE CORPORATIONS!

“REPEAL CITIZENS UNITED NOW!!!”

Dannie's avatar

There should be term limits for Congress. This would likely make members more injured to the needs on their constituents.

Jeanette's avatar

Mandatory retirement e ment 70

Hudson E Baldwin lll's avatar

Term limits are TERRIBLE POLICY.

DO SOME RESEARCH BEFORE YOU JUST SPOUT GIBBERISH.

Teresa L.'s avatar

Maybe explain why you hold this opinion, rather than just telling someone "terrible idea".

Pat D's avatar

We should hold them all accountable no matter which party they belong to, and no matter what office they hold.

But it's a ridiculous false equivalency to accuse the Democrats of being even close to the present level of Republican corruption and insider trading (Both Hegseth and Jr. were exposed for literally betting on the Iran war with pre-attack investments). It blows my mind that some people actually believe the propaganda that there's no difference between the 2 parties. SS, Medicare, ACA, SNAP, Civil Rights, Marriage Equality, etc. are all owed to *one* party, and it's not the Republicans.

What do we owe the Republicans while they revel in their insider trading?

- One manufactured financial crisis after another whenever their majority loss is imminent

- Unlike the Dems, tax breaks ONLY for the wealthy

- The depletion or purposeful mismanagement of safety nets despite Dem stocking or ensuring them

- Complete disregard for public safety, whether it be dismantling health/medical foundations and agencies, deregulation of critical product oversight (pay attention to the # of product recalls during a Republican administration as compared to Dem administrations), the purging of most experienced and dedicated federal workers, including those critical to our national security.

- Poor job growth.

- Wars and/or unpopular foreign policies

I mean, the list could go on and on, yet people (supported by troll farms and bots), continue to fall for, or claim disingenuously, the baloney that there's no difference between the two parties.

Hudson E Baldwin lll's avatar

The outcome when there is no legitimate opposition.

Susan Rockefeller's avatar

Stop corporate welfare.

Lois W. Halbert's avatar

It is destroying our Country much like what the Robber Barron's did.

Jean Janes's avatar

Two of the most important issues facing the USA are the corporate and billionaires capture of our government and our failure to raise the tax cap which allows corporations and billionaires to escape paying their fair share. In many cases they actually pay no taxes at all. The current Republican Congress would like to give them more tax breaks and then install a cap on social security payouts to those who have contributed to social security all their working lives. Every elected representative who will support reducing social security payments to the very people who paid for them need to hear from their constituents. The grifters in this administration want to rob the people of the money that they earned and are entitled to. Hands off our Social Security.

Paul McCann's avatar

I Will not stop posting this below repost if you think it is true

“Always remember the Epstein files”

Eileen's avatar

“Always remember the (trump) Epstein files”

Ann's avatar

A compulsive liar. When people tell you who they are, believe them.🙏

Julia Simmons's avatar

Democrats play footsie with actual Nazis like Platner. Lesson learned.

Ann's avatar

Steven Miller and Steve Bannon are ardent proud Nazis and both work for a Republican President. I hate liars and hypocrites. Go play in someone else's sandbox.

Eileen's avatar

Lesson learned? We only WISH you all had learned! You all knew what you were voting for. We had 4 years of that filth , there was no excuse not to know! It’s what you wanted , and more than you wanted. it’s hard to see this division ever ending , bc at this point, what you trumpers have done , is unforgivable. I’m embarrassed , and ashamed for you bc you aren’t capable . The only score they’ve won on is , creating a real hate for “the other.” And “the other” is everyone that doesn’t fall in line! So you fly high now, until you are his next target , and you will be. Then you can cry yourself to sleep. No sympathy coming from here!

Blasphemous Rhapsody's avatar

Self-serving hypocrites. They head right to politics--big money, that's where the money is.

Ron Moorhead's avatar

So true, and the result of a misguided SCOTUS who believes Corporations are people and money is speech. These are outdated concepts serving the rich. This serves conservative politics and goals.