The Banks Own the U.S. Congress

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Everythings for Sale!

For my 299th blog I'd like to revisit one of my favorite subjects: Lobbying.

If you have the time do a search of my site you'll find 4 previous articles on banking and lobbying.

Here's the update - Goldman Sachs and their minions are in league with the devil.

It's not because they have a direct pipeline into Washington DC.

It's not because they set aside 16.7 BBBBBBillion Dollars for bonuses (that's $530,000 per employee).

It's not because they've directly and indirectly received 22.9 BBBBBillion Dollars from the federal government.

Then why are they evil?

In the first half of the year they spent a large portion of $224,000,000 lobbying members of the House of Representatives and Senate. They spent this $224,000,000 in six months to subvert the purpose of our elected officials. They spent this money to get our politicians to represent their interests.

Why do you suppose they gave $224,000,000 to lobbyists? Could it be to have their way? Could it be to influence the votes of members of the House and Senate? Could it be that they have $224,000,000 reasons to celebrate their bonuses? Could it be they do it because they are kind generous human beings? Could it be they do it for the benefit of every American?

There are 71 members of the House Financial Services Committee and the financial industry gave 25% of the total political contributions to almost half of these 71 elected politicians.

Do you believe these same bought-and-paid-for politicians can adequately reform the regulations that control our financial system?

If I pay you lots of money and then you vote the way I want you to is that prima facia evidence of bribery? Isn't that the definition of bribery? My dictionary says that if you're an elected official and I pay you to do what I say, that's bribery.

A full year ago our financial system was rocked to its foundations. Could we need to make some improvements in the rules?

I'm in favor of capitalism.

I'm in favor of people making money.

I'm in favor of a free market system.

But the question is: If Goldman Sachs and banks control our political processes do we actually have a free market system?

I'm afraid of socialism but I'm equally afraid of our political process being controlled by the Big Money.
I'd like to hear what you think.