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With the Tea Partiers
Breaking the Ruling Class
Until it ceases to be re-elected at 80 percent rates the Ruling Class will continue to remain unaccountable.
During the American Revolution, roughly a third of all colonists supported King George III, and, for the most part, Parliament. Though completely surrounded by the wildfire of political rebellion, these Tories continued to support the status quo. Thankfully, our founders did not, no more than the Tea Party accepts today’s status quo. The Tea Party’s rise has been called the second American Revolution—a peaceful one of ballots, not bullets—as more and more Americans came to the realization that the majority of elected officials serve their own self-interest, or the interests of their cronies. Congress’s approval rating stands at 13 percent, according to Gallup, or about one third of what King George’s support was. In 2009, a full 76 percent of people polled said that elected officials put their own interests ahead of those of the American people. Yet despite such numbers, in 2010, during one of the most dramatic political shifts in decades, more than 80 percent of incumbents at all levels won reelection, largely preserving the political status quo.
At first glance, it doesn’t make sense: a highly unpopular Congress (and president, for that matter), governing over an economy and country careening out of control, yet some eight out of 10 members of Congress can expect to be re-elected. Many have served for years and have brought this country to its current predicament. Yet they keep winning re-election to continue their tenures of failure: If current spending levels hold, the United States’ public debt will eclipse 300 percent of our economy before midcentury. And when confronted with massive debt, our leaders, lacking the political courage to undertake fundamental change, shave infinitesimal amounts here and there, exfoliating the elephant of debt while it keeps plowing ahead toward the inevitable cliff.
How can this be? Long-time incumbents, a Ruling Class, if you will, with low approval ratings, making bad decision after bad decision, yet still getting re-elected? This is because the American people have been up against a protection racket for nearly a century now, ever since Progressives established a system of government that allowed our country to drift away from the Founders’ original vision of limited government and individual freedom. The Progressive “reforms” have, over time, continued to centralize federal power, and have made our elected officials more powerful and less accountable.
With all power deriving from the people, our elected officials are supposedly there to serve, though at times they prefer that the American people serve them. We provide every dollar that pays them, their staffs, their expenses, and every dollar that funds our government. Yet the American people in recent times have been ignored by their officials (think most recently the Cut, Cap and Balance Plan, which nearly 70 percent of the American people supported but was never taken up in the Senate) and treated with disdain.
Part of this disdain is because many officials think themselves untouchable. So it’s time for the “unwashed” to break the Ruling Class’s hold over our system of government. The Tea Party is already on the move in this regard, working to identify and train people to run for office, whether it’s for local school boards or Congress. It’s fielding a farm team—in many places for the very first time. At all levels of government, from local to federal, many elected officials have simply never been challenged: In 2010, Ballotpedia.org reports, more than a thousand state legislators ran unopposed in the general elections, and between 2000 and 2008, a GOP U.S. House member had a 98.3–99.5 percent chance of winning his or her primary (assuming they even faced primary opposition).
If we want more accountability from our elected officials, we must continue to challenge them to adhere to the principles of limited government. One very practical accountability mechanism is to challenge them in elections. In the 1940s, E. E. Schattschneider wrote in Party Government that “He who has the power to make the nomination owns the party.” It’s not too much of a stretch to say incumbents control their own nomination process, buttressed by the current party system. (The parties, which are creatures of compromise, seek to be in power and to hold on to it. One way to do that is to make sure as many incumbents as possible are re-elected.)
Parties, the overwhelming majority of time, seek to “clear the field” in primaries and frown upon primary challenges for fear that it might cost them a seat and endanger their power. But what are political parties? In the February 1974 edition of Ramparts magazine, G. William Domhoff, addressing why socialists and Communists should no longer run under a third party banner but inside the Democratic Party, wrote:
[The Democratic Party] is what Democrats say it is—and what they say it is is determined by the people Democrats elect to attend party conventions and nominate to stand in general elections. Given the relative openness of this process, an ideological battle fought at all levels from precinct to President could have rather dramatic results in a relatively short time.
So if conservatives want to see a party (or parties) become more conservative and hold incumbents accountable, they must continue on the path of identifying new leaders, running them against the Ruling Class, and vying for precinct chairman within a political party. For too long, incumbents (even conservatives) have been seduced by Republicanism, Democratism, and Powerism. But that seduction very easily be dispelled by blaring wakeup calls in the form of primary challenges from legitimate, credible conservative candidates. Only when we see a losing percentage approaching 50 percent or more for incumbents at all levels will we be able to say the Ruling Class’s power has been disrupted. That percentage won’t be reached in the next election, or the one after that, but it should be the conservative movement’s goal to increase it by five to 10 percent with every cycle.
If the Ruling Class’s hold is to be broken, the Tea Party must continue to work on controlling the nomination process and “taking over” a major political party—from within. Because at the end of the day, he who controls the nomination process controls the party controls the system. And then redefines the status quo.
About the Author
Ned Ryun is the founder and president of American Majority, a political training institution. His “With the Tea Partiers” column run each month in the The American Spectator’s print edition. You can follow him on Twitter @nedryun.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (63) | Leave a comment
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Ret. Marine| 10.10.11 @ 6:42AM
Well written and thought out, but, lacking in any the real substance to many of our current problems, why? Money is the root of all evil, doesn't get more basic than that does it. You noted, many re-running for their post go largely unaposed, why? money. Those who control the money control the message. We now have a pResident, not an american citizen, who by last count, pre-election standards, was allowed to by pass the laws designed to give all nominee's equal protection in the election process a pass when it became of note that he, bypassed the laws and was about as lack in fairness as he was in honesty, say it sin't so, but it is, it was proven when he disabled the protection required by law that would have given an account as to WHERE that allmost 1-billion dollars of campaign contribution actually came from, when it became public that some in the middle east was financing his bid for the presidency, it seemed that everyone and their fathers looked the other way, and for what, a first half black/white man. Yeah that worked out well didn't it-not. I am not saying that your approach and awareness is not on track and something must change for the process to do its work, I am saying that money has gotton a lot of people, both innocent and guilty alike, in a lot of troubles these days and no one seems to be held accountable for all the illegal practices taking place within the process. I really fear for my Country, along with the fear is the extreme hatred for those who would and have been pitting each of us against one another, hello mr pResident, if the shoe fits wear it, because you now own it, lock, stock and the barrel. Change and hope, no not at all, cheat and be bold about it is more like it. Good luck to all because this upcomming year, we are all going to need it. Pray for peace but, prepare for a war,to save our Republic.
oldfart| 10.10.11 @ 7:24AM
And the difference between 1776 and 2011? Communications. Good communications can win the battle and the ruling class can afford to monitor everything - your e-mail, your cell phone calls and even you land line calls with the modern cordless phones. No big deal. Knowing exactly, when, where and how make it easier to prevail in combat.
Also there has been an organized effort on the part of DOPE, Department of Public Education, to dumb down the standards of our education system across the nation. Our children are not instructed in the basic elements of our history and how to truly reason – to use their brain for problem solving. Look – not everyone is equal in the brains department and by pushing everyone down to the lowest possible level it gives the appearance that everyone is successful. Sorry Progressives – that ain't real life. It is truly appalling the education, or indoctrination, given to our young people that is passed off as a basic and higher eduction.
Frankly – dumb people are easier to control.
John Navratil| 10.10.11 @ 8:34AM
oldfart,
Having the government educate it's citizenry is a fatal conflict of interest.
Sheila| 10.10.11 @ 10:28AM
Well said, sir. Public indoctrination is de facto child abuse. The misbegotten system was designed to produce docile cogs for the government machine. http://johntaylorgatto.com/index.htm
Ryan| 10.10.11 @ 8:31AM
Sorry, bit of a pet peeve here.
I Tim 6: 5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
(emphasis mine)
If you're going to use the quote, use it properly and in context, please.
Robert Pinkerton| 10.10.11 @ 9:02AM
1. With respect, I submit that the actual god of this country's mainstream culture is N O T IHVH, nor Y'shua bar Joseph of Nazareth (whom you Christians think of as Y'sua bar IHVH); but rather, the god of the West's elite and mainstream culture today, is Mammon, the demon of UNnatural blind lust for money. Classical and Medaeval demonographers agree in calling Mammon an androgyne.
2. From Roberto Michels' Political Parties: An Enquiry into the Oligarchic Tentencies of Modern Democracy: "There is more in common between two Deputies [members of the French parliament's lower house], one of whom is a Revolutionary, that there is between two revolutionaries, one of whom is a Deputy."
Timothy L. Pennell| 10.10.11 @ 9:01AM
Here's the problem. Americans, for the most part, are IDIOTS. I know they are. I've seen a T.V. Guide. I know what's on television. I see them walk in to doors, because they're too busy TEXTING, when they should be LOOKING.
Today's American, having gone through50 Years of Far Left Public Education wants there 40 Hours, their Television Shows, their Beer, their Sports Team to win, and taking the Fat Intern in to the room offa the Oval Office, once in a while. (If you get what I mean)
They don't know ANYTHING about what's going on. If they did, HAMAS' Deliverer - ABU HUSSAIN - would be in the 20%, not the 39%-42% range. Most Americans wouldn't put the Blame for all of this, on George Bush. They would know a Lie, when they hear one. Fool me once, shame on you. They would know, that the Far Left Radical Muslim's JOBS BILL, is a SLUSH FUND for his Union buddies. A Huge Tax Increase, including RETROACTIVE Tax Increases. And, that, if $800 BILLION couldn't Create Jobs? How the Hell is President Soetoro gonna do it, now, with HALF THAT MUCH?
Fool me TWICE, shame on me.
MacWell| 10.10.11 @ 7:00PM
Sorry Marine, but money is not the root of all evil, the lust for money is.
We the people have allowed politicians to run free for the last 50 years. We trusted them to speak in our stead, but the broke that sacred trust and lied to us, stole from us, and betrayed us in ways we've not yet discovered.
We must rid DC, and at all levels of government, career politicians. Political service was never intended to be a career. We need citizen government once again as the founders intended.
Lillith| 10.10.11 @ 8:59PM
For the love of G@d, man, use spell check or grammar check or something. I stopped reading about the 1st 190 syllables.
aware| 10.11.11 @ 5:55AM
And paragraph breaks
IzeHavitt| 10.14.11 @ 12:12AM
Marine, While I have the utmost respect and gratitude for your service, I must correct you on one Biblical point. Money, by itself, is NOT the root of all evil; it's the LOVE of money that is. As to what needs to be done, allow me to offer two prescriptions: 1) repeal the 17th Amendment, and limit Senatorial elections to those who are elected by their respective state legislatures. In other words, a senator would be forced to work for the interests of his state, and not himself. This is what the Founders originally envisioned. 2) Re-districting reform for all Congressional House districts. Bring back square shaped districts; or, the like, instead of the Rorschach shaped messes we now endure, which are the root cause of partisan bickering and also allow the re-election of many to so-called "safe" seats.
Jeff Chiacchieri| 10.20.11 @ 3:03PM
I Agree with you and assume you agree there is no doubt the collapse of the dollar as the worlds reserve currency is in our future, but the question I have is before they allow that to take place will they create a world war? The whole world system is setup on debt money that is idolatry money, call/see it as you want, but it’s causing the constantly repeating cycle that gets worse with each generation until the cycle re-starts post every major war. Debt is actually part of what controls morality by keeping unrestored balance! I try everyday to see further through the smoke!!! The Obama admin role in Occupy Wall Street is a classic move right out of the Hitler play book. On the surface it’s the unions funded by Adbusters Vancouver, British Columbia, and George Soros is funding Adbusters not to mention the communist party USA. Their next goal is to bring down the U.S. financial system. The final end goal is a final push for socialism to eliminate capitalism in the western world. Those uncovered emails and documents showing the real powers behind Occupy Wall Street is a collection of anarchists, socialists, labor unions, and foreign terrorists – all of whom are currently being supported by those in the Democratic Party. Behind all of that smoke is the same cartel that killed Kennedy, they have controlled every president since and now OWN wall street, the same ones that also backed Lenin, Stalin, Hitler & now today back Obama. Many cannot connect the dots because they dont know history so I recommend they watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-CrNlilZho
Cronyism in D.C. whether from the left or right is the enemy to the people that is destroying our country. The only planned goal from Obama UP the chain of command is to come out of occupy Wall Street riots with martial law to initiate the next step to make Obama Dictator. These people today protesting don’t even realize they are also being used as foot soldiers for who they despise the most & of Communism. It took decades to confuse them through media, US dept of ED, hollywood & it is likely they are too deeply misguided to figure it out until it's too late. The whole Wall Street protest movement is just another sign so many people are in the transition of awakening to political reality and at this point that partial knowledge is more dangerous for America than total ignorance. Many still at the stage of blaming Democrats, or Republicans, Obama, Bush or ANYONE with money, proving they are still missing the big picture that most of the US govt is run by, bought & paid for by the people who have amassed most of the wealth as the Top 1% of the U.S. population. Corrupt politicians representing their backers, NOT voters is the reality & they pass legislation that not only gives the super rich every advantage, but also free money through Quantitative Easing/Bailouts, not to mention zero accountability in the design. In addition, they own/control the mainstream media leaving the majority in America divided focusing their energies on decoys & partisan smokescreens.
At least the ones that have taken the streets in protest on wall street are not complicit, just misguided/confused but unfortunately are assisting the communist plan America was warned about in the 1960s! 0.1% is getting everything in place and when they do the Chinese, Japanese, Saudis & Europe will all dump their trillions at the same time causing mega hyperinflation. I am convinced we are in for one hell of a battle. Just like Hitler Obama & those backing him would rather see America destroyed to a medieval level before giving up power, all because the necessities of preserving America are irrelevant to their goal! I can’t help but wonder how far will Obama & Company go if we the people are able to organize well enough before elections or even at the ballot in 2012 to stop & remove UNCONSTITUTIONAL government? What would Ohitlers reaction be if he thought it was inevitable? It’s not a humane vision when looking at Otraitors actions from a historical perspective. I hope the Generals are on our side of the Constitution because I am sure Ovomits owners & the hundreds in OUR govt guilty of treason have several ideas to keep power for every step closer we the people get to taking back our govt & preventing Otrators Dictatorship. But I still think we the people can win this battle, we have one more chance in 2012, Europe doesn't. I want to see hundreds in this govt tried for treason. But also I should enjoy my time now, because at some point on the road to victory I may go down during the battle, or end up in a FEMA camp detained for high treason guilty for wanting to end the Federal Reserve & re-instate OUR Constitution! The only question left to ask is will we be able to clean DC enough in 2012 to fix govt to stop the drift toward totalitarian socialism? Here are my thoughts on where we stand:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/note.php?note_id=231962353516849
Kevin V.| 10.10.11 @ 7:38AM
The founder's idea of public service was the citizen who gave a few years of his life to serve the state then returned to private life. There was no concept of the lifelong legislator except the hereditary nobility that the American revolution and constitutional convention rejected. We need term limits, low salaries and severe restrictions on the ability of legislators to draw in money if we are ever to break this cycle.
DNS| 10.10.11 @ 2:55PM
Perhaps also....a hard long look at the every 10 years redistricting done in many states. As folks know, this redistricting is done following the results of a U.S. Census.
This too is immoral. And yet we give it a pass. The chickens ruling the roost getting to decide how they stay in power by drawing lines to their own benefit.
Look at a districting map of your state and tell me those district "designs" (shapes, lines) make any sense.
They don't. Outside the effort to do all possible to ensure encumbent reelection. (please -- don't just think Congressional districts -- think state senator, rep.)
peter allen| 10.10.11 @ 4:09PM
Absolutely right, but how to do it? We in the tea party are trying. NEVER VOTE FOR AN INCUMBENT. Then disbar them from public office. Will be very hard to do. cheers
TrueBlue| 10.11.11 @ 2:29PM
Unfortunately we won't get term limits or lower salaries until the vast majority of those in office are new to the office, and even then it's not a sure thing.
Solo| 10.10.11 @ 7:54AM
Well thought out piece. You make many valid points.
One aspect of change which, I think, would be key in reversing the Ruling Class Elite status quo would be to repeal the 17th Amendment. This is the best way to ensure that Senators will act in the best interests of their respective states rather than acting in the best interests of "special interests"--namely; their own.
Senators have slowly become like national rock stars attracting money (and thus influence) from across the entire nation for their campaigns. The result is that they often continue to get re-elected despite their ambivalence to the needs of their home states.
For example:
There is no way (I suggest) that a John McCain continues to get re-appointed to the Senate by his State Legislature of Arizona given his stance on immigration amnesty for illegals. A stance which is in direct conflict with the interests of that state.
An example on the other side of the isle would be Harry Reid of Nevada.
No way that the good people of Nevada would continue to appoint a corrupt hack and national embarrassment like Reid to the Senate. But Reid continues to gain re-election from his nationwide network of union thugs and contributors he uses as campaign force multipliers.
One need not wonder why our republic has gradually morphed into a system of centralized power at the federal level while the individual state's interests take a back seat. U.S. Senators have no compelling motivation to look after the interests of their respective states. They only need to look after themselves---and that's exactly what they do.
Brian Mc| 10.10.11 @ 8:30AM
I would add the sixteenth amendment, Solo. These two sinister amendments to that noble document have done irreperable harm to the Republic. The repeal process for their elimination will never occur when there are so many (with the right to vote) ignorant to the harm due to the indoctrination process instigated by the federal 'school' system. There is no way to reverse this, just so long as the American Spectator trails American Idol in popularity.
russel| 10.10.11 @ 10:30AM
Jumping in between you two - yes Brian , I'm afraid we're stuck with the 17 th because there is no way congress will vote to kick themselves out of DC and have to cotton to their own states wishes . They're just too damn greedy and enjoy that life way too much . They voted in that amm. for this very reason - to buy themselves the office . So now , the panhandlers vote ( pay ) for their own best interests . A vicious circle .
John Navratil| 10.10.11 @ 8:36AM
Solo,
While I agree with your goals, I'd like to point of that the good people of Nevada actually voted to send Reid back to the Senate. What you are really asking for is that the state send it's representative to the Senate, not the people's.
oldfart| 10.10.11 @ 8:40AM
The people living in Nevada may have voted that way but what about the citizens of Nevada? How did they vote?
John Navratil| 10.10.11 @ 10:32AM
I'm all in favour of photo ID. If you can't buy a beer without it you shouldn't be able to vote without it.
Solo| 10.10.11 @ 9:28AM
Yes, Mr Navratil. I realize that
Reid was voted into the Senate by "the people". But..."the People" of Nevada already have representatives in Congress in the form of "The House Of Representatives".
Those races tend to be more localized with the electorate more familiar with the candidate.
The State at large has other, more broad interests, which need to be represented.
The direct election of Senators by the electorate renders the process a sort of "Local Race" on steroids--with a 6 year expiration date.
Outside influence and money play very heavily in these 'steroid enhanced' elections with the outside interests often more familiar with the candidate than are the locals who actually pull the levers for them. That's the problem.
It was never intended to be that way. It was always intended that the State Legislatures appoint that state's Senators to Congress.
This kept the Senator's focus on the interests of the individual states and discouraged consolidation of power at the Federal level.
The 16th, 17th AND the 18th Amendments were all an abject disaster. Too bad we only repealed one of them.
John Navratil| 10.10.11 @ 10:30AM
Solo,
No disagreement here! I believe fully that the Senate should be the state's house. The reason the popular vote for Senators came about was as a reaction to charges of corruption. Funny thing is that the states had to ratify this diminution of their powers.
emo| 10.10.11 @ 1:28PM
ahhh yes the Conservative cry that we as a nation could move towards Utopia if only there was less representaive democracy and we could repeal the 17th amendment.
Seems conservatives really dont trust the people after all but trust state legislatures to choose "representatives". As though that would somehow reduce federal spending, corruption and big government.
Corrpution: Repealing the 17th amendment would turn every Senate election into what happened in Illinois after Obama was elected. Gov and State Legislatures would sell the seats for the highest price. Conservatives seem tho think that America of the past (in this case before the Progressive era), was clean and pure. Free of corruption and politicians were responsive to the will of the voters. Fact is 19th Century America was probably more politically corrupt than present day America.
In fact repealing the 17th Amendment would GUARANTEE that a Senate seat becomes a seat for life. States would be crazy to throw out incumbents every six years and lose Seante seniority and thus power and influence in Washington.
Repealing the 17th amendment is another hairbrained scheme by the utopian right.
rendite| 10.10.11 @ 7:05PM
I agree with emo. As bit by bit I get to know the issues and people who run my state house, the politicians who have been there for years.....no, sorry.
No way. I'd trust an ex con to make a better selection for a proper US Senator.
Yes, it is that bad. You are deluded if you think your state representative and state senator care about you or what's right for your district and state.
They are bribed and extorted, too. Some openly let themselves be know as one "open for business." If you don't think so, you are daft.
Solo| 10.10.11 @ 7:45PM
Well..."Emo" does list valid concerns. And...it is true that the State Legislature appointment of Senators to Congress is not immune to corruption and chicanery.
It is, however, also true that State Legislatures, being closer to the people, are far more accountable and "in front" of their constituents than are current day Senators, many of whom have never seen the face of a local voter--or so it seems.
Yes...it is true that many conservatives pine for the days prior to the "progressive era". And why not?
It is, after all, "prior to the progressive era", as intended by the nation's formational document, that we conservatives wish to "conserve".
Remember..what we're asking for is allegiance to our foundational principles--not the perverted "cluster-F**k" which it has become (at the hands of "progressives").
I make no apologies for my desire to return the constitution to its original form and intent.
To the extent that we stray from the original document and the philosophical principles upon which it was predicated, to that same extent we cease to BE "The United States Of America".
emo| 10.10.11 @ 8:59PM
If you want to create an elite ruling class unaccountable to the people, repeal the 17th amendment
aware| 10.11.11 @ 6:02AM
How do you account for the current situation then? Or maybe you don't think we are ruled by an "unaccountable to the people" oligarchy? If the 17th was supposed to prevent the rise of a ruling elite it failed.
PattyMor| 10.10.11 @ 8:12AM
We can beat them at their own game. That's why BOTH parties hate the Tea Party, because its taking power away from the Central Committees. Witness how independent Joe Walsh is. He was elected mainly by the Tea Party and didn't get much party money. Hence, he is VERY independent. Contrast that with Bobby Schilling how took a lot of money from the party near the end of his campaign and now votes lock step with the Rat leadership.
So strave the beast. Don't give your money to the Rat Party. Donate to the Senate Conservatives Fund or directly to your favorite Tea Party candidate, or to the guy who is willing to take on John Boehner who gutlessly still funds the abortion mill of PP.
Petronius| 10.10.11 @ 9:06AM
Sounds encouraging. And while true at face value, this number can't amount to much. The GOP central committee in my state has declared the coming presidential primary nonbinding. The TeaParty may go to the polls but we've already been given the shaft. They will pick their delegates in caucus. And if we outnumber them in caucus, the Chair just recesses the proceedings and absconds with gavel in hand. They know they can't be stopped. Prepare to get ram-Romneyed.
IX-XI| 10.10.11 @ 10:55AM
Is that true?
I always thought if you got into the caucus, you got a vote. So all that is needed is for the Tea Party to flood the caucus.
We are motivated, they are not. We can take over every caucusing state much more easily than the primary states.
And if the Chair recesses the caucus without a fair vote of the delegates, THERE CAN BE NO NOMINEE.
My advice would be for Tea Partiers to go into the caucuses as "Romney delegates" and keep their mouths shut and their powder dry until after the voice vote is over and the ballot is called.
Then unload for the agreed-upon conservative candidate, whether it is Herman Cain or Rick Santorum, or heaven forbid, Newt.
PolishKnight| 10.10.11 @ 9:50AM
It's worth keeping in mind that we've had a hidden revolution for the past 75 years since FDR. Well, kind of. Half the people in the country support socialism or, more accurately, a democrat party claiming to be socialist. The goal is for the socialists to win at all costs even if at the expense of the country, and their notion of socialism, itself. Their end goal is to make the world into another Sweden but in order to win, they'll transform the states, and Sweden itself, into third world countries.
So these revolutionaries are insane: They are in love with the notion of a noble, perfect, (and European) socialist state while happily pouring gasoline and setting on fire the possibility of creating such a thing. The cronies are going along because they'll remain in power regardless.
Unfortunately, the opposition, the Republicans, are also cronies who are willing to throw away the long term good for the nation for their own short term profit and not just the ones at the top either. Plenty of "Free market" advocates are happy to see illegals come in and get "free" healthcare and education for their children if they can save $4 an hour on construction, restaurant, agriculture, and hotel labor. They also want to flood the high tech labor market with H1B's and bash their own electorate as a bunch of lazy, "stupid" European-Americans. Yeah, good luck with getting that cheap labor to vote Republican!
So the revolutionaries in the Tea Party and the revolutionaries camped at Wall Street are total opposites and even enemies. The Wall Street protestors are total fools who proclaim they want big government socialism while failing to realize that the big government socialists they voted for have buddies with with the capitalist cronies. The Tea Partiers are NOT fools but they are unfortunately naive and not just about the political system but rather the limits of their ideology. Most Americans, myself included, don't trust the big corporate cronies anymore than the big government cronies. They're ALL cronies. We do need government programs to handle certain services. After all, the moon landing did NOT happen due to a free market corporation! Hoover Dam wasn't built by a corporate grant or initiative. I know that's controversial, but it's also useful as compared to grinding our teeth about the effectiveness of the left.
Kevin| 10.10.11 @ 2:14PM
Term limits for every elected office and break up the monopolies of the bloated corporations. It was small business that made this country great anyway. Eliminate the bureaucracies by outlawing the unions for government "workers" and dismantle most of the Federal departments. That should be a good start.
emo| 10.10.11 @ 9:01PM
CA has term limits for every office in the state.....How has that worked out?
DaveD| 10.10.11 @ 10:10AM
The only option is the Throw the Rascals Out. However, that is easier said than done.
How does a conservative vote when the choice is a not-all-that-conservative long time Congress critter (mine rates 68 by Heritage) as opposed to a unabashed liberal who on a good year might make it into the teens? You end up voting the semi-RINO/semi-conservative back in as the best choice out of a poor field.
Gerrymandering districts into safe Republican and safe Democrat and (very few) swing districts doesn't help at either, and a conservative vote is wasted and ignored in all too many elections.
The Ruling Class has rigged the game in their favour. It's rigged at the Federal level and rigged at the State level. Change is extremely difficult to accomplish or to sustain.
Indy| 10.10.11 @ 10:13AM
In addition to overcoming the ruling establishment on both the Left and Right, we must overcome gerrymandered districts and the media...quite a challenge but we must continue trying. The concerning issue to me is with our education system which is heavily influenced by the Left, ideology is being taught instead of critical thinking. How refreshing it would be to see Shelby Steele's White Guilt on a recommended reading list. When the Civil Rights Movement is taught in school, do teachers cover the Black Panthers and Malcom X in as much detail as MLK?
There is much work to do, in your local school districts, learn what books students are reading in the classroom and challenge teachers / schools to make sure there is balance in the curriculum.
RJ| 10.10.11 @ 10:14AM
Senators Hatch and Lugar come to mind. Two men who served well in their early years, but very much over-stayed their usefulness and illustrate the problem of the ruling class.
RND | 10.10.11 @ 6:59PM
Add Stevens, Helms, and Thurmond. All ruling class. They loved the D.C. scene, the pork, the cow-towing, the lobbyists fawning over them, the junkets abroad, the golf excursions, the fact finding missions to the Carribean or coastal Mexico (throw in a stop abroad in Germany -- to see the troops of course -- that really was just for pre-Christmas shopping).
The list of largesse pols who sold their souls to Lucifer runs from here to the Red River.
LiveFreeOrDie| 10.10.11 @ 10:41AM
In this day and age of massive modern communication campaign finances are not necessary. Billions spent on campaigns gives a disproportionate advantage to incumbents.
If term limits were enhanced politicians might worry about performing their duties instead of constantly campaigning.
Finance reform and term limits anyone?
JP| 10.10.11 @ 10:49AM
Every democracy needs a governing class. Can't do without them. The key is to change the governing class towards your way of thinking (in my case, it is to reduce its influence to the bare minimum. The governing class of the 19th Century was bottled up inside the New England Correigdor and only occaisonally influenced events outside of its borders). But, to change the governing class, one must win elections - lots of them. And to win elections, one must have an agenda that appeals to the largest bloc of voters. In our history, only crisis brings on the kind of change that alters fundementally the relationship between the governing class and the governed. The Civil War and the Great Depression were 2 such examples.
Events usually over-take politics. In 1932 it was a severe liquidity crisis (deflation), which threatened to destroy our banking system and about every enterprise and family alike. FDR moved in and boldly changed the way our government operates. I fear another crisis similar to 1932 may come about. The question is, does the GOP have a bold vision that can set the ship on the right path? I think niether Mitt nor Perry possess what this nation needs.
Pecos Pete| 10.10.11 @ 10:58AM
Maybe we can vote out some of the Ruling Class, but the bureaucrats will remain and they are the heart of the Ruling Class.
Gotta get rid of public employee unions to finish off the Ruling Class.
Le Cracquere| 10.10.11 @ 11:04AM
We're overlooking the crucial issue of pork. Most conservatives praise small government at the macro level, but at the micro level we're bought and paid for.
It's time we started feeling ruthless towards the job-creators in our own districts. Towards even the big new highways that bring business to OUR neighborhoods. Towards the military bases of dubious value whose districts OUR representatives represent.
In short, do we have the rocks to stand back from the trough like men and not "get ours"? How about we ask ourselves this come November?
Whitey O'Carr| 10.10.11 @ 12:16PM
There is another aspect to this discussion that all of you are forgetting. One, they say that ignorance of the law is no excuse. Yet how can one keep track of the myriad of laws that govern the Federal Government, all of the states and local governments. You would have to be a lawyer who would have to be proficient in multiple areas of law and possess your own law library. That would take up a significant amount of your own life to acquire those resources and then formulate a coherent set of opinions and viewpoints to exercise a legal opinion in this way.
The second point missing here is the proliferation of entitlements. Yes, I am speaking about "Social Security" and other entitlement programs provided by the Federal Government and state governments. These programs by themselves provide a major incentive to elect parties, programs and individuals who will support programs that continue to provide money to people for one excuse or another. Until we can stop and rollback all of the money we give to ourselves for flimsy excuses, we will be inundated with corruption and vice.
scythe| 10.10.11 @ 12:25PM
If we don't like who "represents" us it is our own damned fault. The "progressives" have been bribing their constituencies with our money for nearly a century. It is we the people who have become comfortable with the idea of STEALING from our neighbors and calling it something else. "Progressive" politics has debouched an corrupted a nation's people and there is no end in sight. Look to the tower of cynicism and corruption FDR who set the wheels in motion. He realized that once people got a taste of other peoples' money, the "ship of state would not turn rightward again". How's that for character? AND WE STILL REVERE THIS MAN AS A GREAT PRESIDENT? He was the architect of moral decay and fascism who foresaw the democrats as rulers for the next two hundred years. Everyone hates everyone else's pol but their own because...THEIR OWN GIVES THEM STUFF BELONGING TO OTHERS. Until we acknowledge that we have become a nation of thieves, nothing will ever change.
Vern Crisler | 10.10.11 @ 12:51PM
There is no such thing as a "ruling class." That's just Marx-speak. We elect people in this country -- always have. We get the people we deserve.
DNS| 10.10.11 @ 3:09PM
Mr. Crisler,
We certainly don't get the people we deserve. We rarely get anyone half capable to do the job.
We do not at all get who we choose.
Because you never get to really choose. It is just all show.
I could list for you a dozen examples but here is just one. Just one lunacy that tells me we're dorks.
Google the 2012 US Primary Schedule. Something like that. Just "google" it. Yes, a few articles 'come up.' Try looking for THE listing of all 50 states and exactly which date they will do their primary voting (for US presidential, US Senate seats, congressional, state reps, etc.)
Do you see a complete list? Do you see a list with all 50 states with definitive dates for this very important election? (I would argue a far more important election date than the one that follows in November 2012)
No, there is no complete list. It is all still a complete hash. Must states have not yet decided what date. Or it is not yet "in concrete."
WHY? Today is October 10, 2011. These primaries that will, in all liklihood, mostly take place in March and April 2012 should be ROCK SOLID dates on the calendar.
They aren't.
Yet we have already closed the door on many would-be candidates. How have we shut them out? We have declared "filing deadlines." Some of those deadlines were September 1, 2011. Some even earlier (depending on office, state, etc.)
Is that not clownishly moronic?
We stiff arm potential candidates away. Telling them they should have "had their act together" long ago to be fully ready to commit and run. Simultaneously ask those state officials who are disqualifying would-be candidates what the election cycle dates are for 2012. And they start to babble.
You see, we don't get the candidates we might wish for. We get what the 'system' permits.
aware| 10.11.11 @ 6:10AM
And the State just gets bigger and bigger. Elections are just settling how the proceeds of an extortion scheme are divided. Think of it as organizing the looting of the department store by the gang with the biggest guns.
wilinsalem| 10.10.11 @ 12:51PM
If we had a system more like the founders set up, one house member per 30,000 voters, senators elected by state legislators, we would have a more responsive government. At first glance 4-5000 house members seems insane, but if we had a larger house, we would have much more influence on our own legislator and in turn, more influence on the legislative process. If instead of centralizing themselves in DC, we used modern technology and required them to have an office in their home districts, we would have even more responsive legislators. And if instead of an elite pay scale, house members and their tax funded staffs were payed on a military pay scale and got tricare health benefits, we might begin to see then not act like an elite, but like the "common citizens" they are supposed to be.
Ground Control| 10.10.11 @ 3:57PM
Thank you!!! I've been pushing this idea for 20 years and NO ONE gets it. Maybe we can stir some conversation on this idea.
RND| 10.10.11 @ 6:45PM
Yes, I think they should only get per diem on the days that they are in Washington, D.C.
And that is a fixed number of calendar days in the year. Something like 75 - 100. No more. (Exceptions: Special assemblies as might be needed in time of war declared on the USA by Russia, China)
Otherwise they meet by group
This achieves several things:
1. They never move from the home district. Just like you and me, they mostly wake up and go to be in the house in the district. (This translates to more interaction with the voters/citizens and direct eyes on all the local problems)
2. Less support staff for them. As it is now they have skeleton crews in 3 or 4 district offices and full time staffers round the clock in D.C.
3. The lobbyists lose. Right now lobbyists prey upon them with ease in D.C. Lobbyists throw a big splash event this Thursday night and invite 30-35 of them them that they want to woo, wine, dine, and "manipulate." Can't do this so easily when these same 30-35 elected officials are scattered across 8 or 9 different states.
I think that the Founders would be aghast at the industry that has become Capitol Hill. The multi-billion$ annual running of just the logistics for the Canon, Rayburn, Hart, Dirkson buildings and , their little underground rail, round-the-clock food services, multimillion dollar security services, an army of IT staffers, etc.
It was not supposed to be this way.
Pat| 10.10.11 @ 1:06PM
Admirable sentiments expressed by this author, pretty amazing no one has thought along these lines before. But proposing the same actions over and over while perpetually expecting different results can get rather frustrating in the long run. Pete Stark, John Dingell and “Ted Kennedy’s seat” – California, Michigan and Massachusetts – probably not a wild coincidence that states hopelessly smitten with Big Government keep electing these same political commissars term after term. Some Conservatives might eventually conclude the citizens of these states prefer Big Government to individual freedom and accepting personal responsibility – Europe’s masses certainly do, why should many Americans be all that different?
Perhaps it’s time we seriously consider dis-uniting these United States – sure it’s been tried before but only that one time. And those states who insist on Big Government now and forever certainly won’t approve other states breaking away from our so-called Union, but how long do you personally want to bail out California, Michigan and Massachusetts? It’s not like their citizens desire actual change, they prefer the status quo although more government handouts and increased regulatory oversight wouldn’t necessarily offend them.
Many, although admittedly not a majority of the folks within these states, would abandon their thankless role of supporting their fellow citizens and immigrate to the United Red States of America, it’s already happening without much media fanfare. Possibly the better solution is to drop the Political Missionary persona entirely, the natives don’t want Tea Party enlightenment rather, what they’d prefer, is inviting more hard working Americans to be the main course at tonight’s cannibal feast.
RND| 10.10.11 @ 6:53PM
Yes, I am tired of all the late 50's and early 60's retirement crowd coming here permanently from New Yawk, Jawsey, Taxachusettes, and Connecticut.
Isn't it obvious? They come to this Red state because their retirment dollars will go much, much futher. Less taxation here. Less sales tax. Cheaper land because annual property taxes aren't so high. Even vehicle registration costs.
If the American people could see all those stats in one nicely done spreadsheet, it would be obvious which states fleece their folk faster.
Yes, ALL states and municipalities are dead wrong with the overtaxation on ALL THINGS. But the degrees of difference should be visible.
**Amazing isn't it? The states that abuse their taxpaying citizens the most are the states in greatest debt. Try: Illinois.
Bob K.| 10.10.11 @ 1:54PM
These people are elected democratically. And since Democracy is not "Rule, of the people, by the people and for the people," but in reality "Rule in the name of the people," we are getting what we voted for. Because every last man jack and woman jill that we have elected will swear that they have voted in the best interests of the "people," or smaller groups of them like the "children!"
Listen to the next debates (if you can stand doing so) and write down every time you hear the phrase "the American People" preface the statement. Hell's bell's, John McCain could not put 2 sentences together without saying it when he ran for President!
They repeat it like a mantra hoping to hypnotize the voters.
A.M. Mallett| 10.10.11 @ 2:02PM
Look no further than the current speaker of the House, weepy whats his name. He has been part and parcel of the problem since being elected to Congress in 1990.
DNS| 10.10.11 @ 3:19PM
A.M. Mallet, you are right. Boehner was an Ohio pol before making the 'leap' to Washington, D.C. They are all career policians who begin joining local groups as older 20 somethings and early 30 somethings with the long view to "running for winning and holding office .....for a long, long time."
They are always lawyers, no?
I once made up a list to post here of those in Congress for over 24 years (present and in the last quarter century). Both parties. The list was HUGE.
And the crazy thing is that these twerps in D.C. think it a badge of honor when they get announced at some graduation ceremony, ribbon cutting, historical occasion, etc., when the announcer says, "Now already serving the public good in Washington, D.C. since 1983, we have here with us today...."
cicero| 10.10.11 @ 2:59PM
Perhaps if we elected an "executive" to the position of chief executive of the country, we could seee some meaningful change. A true executive would exercise the right to issue executive orders. By executive order, he might just:
a. Abolish the EPA
b. Abolish the Dept. of Education
c. Abolish the Department of Transportation
d. Abolish the Department of Energy
But, you get the point. That would make the Congress override his executive orders, and thus be accountable for resurrecting the creaping cudzo of government.
By and large, the people have just not been paying attention. They have gotten confortable with the rape and pillage of their wealth and culture. A strong executive, without a liberal agenda or toleerance for same, would give focus to the problem.
Ground Control| 10.10.11 @ 3:45PM
Nice thought, eliminating all those bloated, virtually worthless departments. Unfortunately, these were all created by Congress, that is by law, and the President has no authority to order them out of existence. The problem is Congress, and only when Congress is composed of loyal American Citizens, instead of the Ruling Class, will things change.
The real problem with Congress is incentive. Because a single Congressman is one vote out of only 435, he thus wields great power, and great power draws great wealth to control that vote. Conversely, this same Congressman holds a virtual Fiefdom of about 700,000 citizens. Do the math. One House vote out of 435 is great power, whereas one election vote out of 700,000 is nearly valueless. Try reversing that. Make the Congressman's vote one out of 5,000 Members of the House, and his power is greatly diminished. Whereas, one election vote out of 60,000 suddenly becomes more important. Only by changing the incentives of a Congressman to seek and retain office, will we ever get Congressmen who wil truly represent their constituents' wishes and needs. Right now, Congressmen are beholden to the money sources who get them elected over and over again. With smaller districts, big money is not necessary, as virtually anyone could run a campaign door-to-door to a district with a population equalivalent to the number of fans at a football game. Eliminate the need for big money and big money will have diminished influence.
Power derives from the exclusivity of office. The fewer people there are who hold power, the more power each has. Dilute that power numerically, and you diminish that power practically. 200 years ago, the People were represented in much smaller districts. But over the decades districts grew in population, and the House did not grow proportionately. The more exclusive the job of Congressman became, the more removed from everyday people a Congressman became, until we now have professional politicians who know and do nothing besides get elected by passing out other people's money. Think about it.
marilyn| 10.10.11 @ 11:33PM
As a Montanan sick of Max Baucus now serving his 5th term as a senator, I applaud this point of view. Baucus is from a wealthy family who basically buy him a senate seat every six years as he strives to be the next Mike Mansfield, a goal beyond the reach of this inept, inarticulate, ineffective politician. His greatest claim to fame is authoring Obamacare. Hopefully this will be his demise when he faces reelection.
Chef Schanuzer| 10.11.11 @ 6:09AM
The staffs are more bankrupt than the elected members of congress - use grapeshot on the despicable staff (at least make sure the parasites can't reproduce) and offer the members exile first.
POST American| 10.13.11 @ 11:55PM
----Elites, or 'EEL-eats' --whatever.
One and all should be awakening to the hideous,
GOD hating nature of Luciferian capstone Freemasonry (Darwinism and EUGENICS).
AS Bunyan, Augustine and Calvin will tell
lay out for you, the Masonic 'Doctrine of
Works' is from hell.
Remember, hell is not only REAL ---but even
as you breathe --on the way.
That's the nagging thing about eternity
---once you're there, no matter who you are,
how much power you did or didn't have,
-----------it's eventually ALLLLL there is.
-----------------------FOREVER--------------------------
Michael McDermott | 10.18.11 @ 2:20PM
Hi Ned, Met you in NYC on September 17, 2011. I am running for congress. The problem here seems very clear to me. It is education, or lack of it. During the early course of my campaign I have spoken to many hundreds of people in and around the NY 2nd Congressional District and EVERYBODY has agreed with me that we need immediate, massive and decisive action to turn this economic crisis around. They agree with my assertion that we MUST end the era of the lifetime politician, work towards a balanced budget amendment (because Congress cannot be trusted) and prime and explode small businesses into action (deregulation is a start). They AGREE!! Yet a huge majority feel that it is pointless to vote because "all the politicians" running just tell them what they want to hear to get elected. Why bother to vote? The Tea Party is now fully aligned as a "Republican Arm" and called lunatics and other names by the media and democrats. Now the democrats in office are rallying around their own version of the Tea Party (The Occupy Wall Street Fringe). The normal everyday family is just trying to survive their everyday existence and keep their families fed. The new organization "NoLabels.org" has lofty well intentioned goals but is pushing for "compromise" in Congress which is truly not going to get our country anywhere in a hurry. What we need is to vote in people that are willing to take massive and decisive action to spur on the economy. People that won't be, upon election, "taken in by the machine" of both parties. I would like to see you and the American Majority back and support people that think this way sincerely in their hearts and have the courage and determination to make this happen. I have had trouble getting donations, not because people won't but they can't. I have been told you need $1,000,000 to get elected. Truth be told, you really need GOTV strategies and enough money to get the message out. So i am hoping you and/or Martin will get in touch with me and conquer 1/435th of the problem here in the 2nd District. Together we can work on 2/3's of the other 434 by November 6 of 2012. Constitutional Amendments have been passed quickly but only when the American People demanded it. Not democrats, conservatives, liberals or republicans, but all of them!! We can do it, but not alone and I am feeling a bit lonely out here. I am still knocking on doors........
With high hopes of Liberty,
Michael McDermott
Tim | 10.20.11 @ 3:26PM
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