The only solution I see for the Citizens United Trojan Horse that has been brazenly brought behind what remained of any political barriers and protections for the common man, is a formation of a new class of politician and a new political movement.
The only way to restrain this hideous mess we are in is for a rising up of patriotic Americans willing to radically change the way "business" is being done in Congress. These patriots need to start a new political movement.
Primarily, they need to pledge to be "Not For Sale," and back it up with some heroic career jestures. And we need to support them equally heroically.
In order to get out of the 'never-ending' maze of raising campaign financing, corporate financing, secretive deals and lack of disclosure, these candidates would need to walk away completely from the corrupt system that seems to be untamable.
There seems to be no way to save our democracy and middle class in the face of the greed of the plutocrats and their puppets- most of the Congress. Except for one thing. If there was an uprising in this country and capable and qualified citizens agreed to serve in Congress or the Senate on the following terms:
- take an oath not to take any money other than public financing.
- take an oath to keep their vote "Not For Sale"
- make public (on a website) ALL their meetings, so that there is full disclosure
- not spend ANY time fundraising while in office- rather spend their time 24/7 doing the people's business
- agree not to run for more than one term (or if more than one term under very strict and open conditions.)
- agreed not to use their time in political office as a 'pass through' when they left to a more lucrative job with ANY industry/sector that was impacted by their vote in office
- agree not to campaign for anyone else; eschewing the entire corrupt system of raising campaign funds.
Initially, this would be hard to do. However, if there were enough people who volunteered to take on this public service in this fashion, a coalition could be formed and a new political entity would emerge.
A political entity which would bypass all the sink holes and morass which seems to inescapably trap any politician going to Washington. The quid pro quo would now be where it belongs: between the voter and their elected representatives. The success for these politicians would depend on grassroots support, and so another movement can be formed: "The Not For Sale" Political Movement.
Reform from within seems hopeless. It seems like such a waste of time to even try reform from within; it just ain't gonna happen. We had hopes for Obama but the Republicorps Spin and Propaganda machine has checked and probably, check-mated him. And by default, us.
We need a massive revolutionary movement against this rabid plutocracy and Republicorps which is determined to beat the middle class and poor into submission, with a new form of economic serfdom.
We either start a political revolution now, or in decades to come, we may not even be able enter the political arena. That opportunity may be taken away, with bright Republicorps ideas such as allowing state legislators (read corporations,) to vote for senators, instead of the people. This is where we are headed, imo.
Folks, these are desperate times. Half measures simply won't work.
Desperate times need desperate measures.
We need a political movement and politicians who are "Not for Sale."