Cockroaches vs Governance

Anyone who possesses even a modicum of the ability to reason should feel very troubled and greatly betrayed by the news of Barack Obama's recent $400k private speech to selected members of the financial industry.  He can defend himself however he wishes to, but this was contrary to so many of the reasons why he was elected and re-elected.  The disturbing entanglement between government and Wall Street provided much of the impetus behind Mr. Trump.  Even average junior high school students now recognize the sway that lobbyists and campaign contributors hold over elected officials.

Who knows?  Maybe the reason Obama did this is just reflective of the existing dysfunction of the Democratic party - if not our supposed democracy as a whole.  Democrats have become completely out of touch with their roots.  They have no clue about the average American and don't even seem to be particularly concerned about getting one.  The contemptible and thoroughly corrupt manner in which Hillary Clinton became their candidate is symbolic of this.  Many would say that she was not electable anyway and therefore was not an appropriate candidate.  But then to sabotage Bernie Sanders is inexcusable (the latest polls show Bernie Sanders as the most popular politician). 

I believe that if there was any honor in our political system, the choice would not have been Clinton vs. Trump.  Clinton is an utter disgrace and Trump has made a series of bank-friendly appointments while seeming to be in the process of back tracking on just about every promise that got him elected.  ( Actually, Obama's $400k private speech is Hillary's kind of gig ).

So what's to be done?  (other than spreading our wonderful democratic ideals all over the Middle East through regime change with all the associated deaths and mutilations in addition to costs borne by taxpayers).

I'm sure most have read somewhere about the abysmal popularity of politicians.  Something like the lowest approval rate in history.  Why then are so many of them re-elected over and and over?  Why should this be since they are rather humorously described as being less desirable than a cockroach?  Many now believe there is little to distinguish between the parties anyway as they both serve the monied elite and multi-national corporations rather than their constituents. Liberals might argue this but how do they then defend the current makeup of Congress?  Their supposed champions of the human condition just got unceremoniously bounced and their party is now assuredly stepping up their efforts in scrounging for contributions going forward.  I'm sure they've decided upon the need to outspend their opponents next time around. (To be then matched by the other side in realization of this to fund salaries for year round staff seeking campaign contributions - gee, what was done with my $1 to the IRS?)

Maybe the answer is the one that has been staring us in the face for decades.  The establishment of a third party.  In the past, this has been limited to presidential third party candidates.  What we need is a third party for both the Legislative branch and the Executive branch. One that is truly legitimate, viable, and well organized with a readily understandable, meaningful platform. And it should not be delayed.  Start with the House as an experiment since it's quicker to implement with their two year terms.  Then fine tune it and expand it to the Senate with their six year terms.  As far as the presidency goes, consider it to be a half way build up between the two.

Everyone has read about the 1%, the 5%, or whatever figure you want to use as to who is prospering while the middle class is being demolished.  Instead of complaining or giving up, maybe it is time to do something about it.  You know, maybe come up with an idea or something like that.  Heck - anyone can put aside a half hour or so to try to hit on something novel.

-  Birney K. Brown