I have to say, I don't think I have ever heard so much blaming of a non-person in my life.

[jsamuel]

It's all the system's fault. Not anyone involved in the system, no no no. Not the lobbyists, congressmen, Senators, President, corporations... No, it is the "system." So we should all just shrug our shoulders and accept the failures since it is really no ones fault. After all changing the system requires too much work for any corporation, President, Senator, congressmen, or lobbyist.

:sarcasm:

[waiting for hope]

1. I can find lots of warm bodies to blame ...

Funny - they know we know the system in DC is to play the lobbyist/corporation game, they know that the American public is disgusted with the graft and pay outs, so they keep on doing it because they know they can. When will it stop?

[Better Today]

2. The more technology we are each involved in, the more I think we accept

that BS.

[Uncle Joe]

3. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, jsamuel.

[Arctic Dave]

4. That is right up there with "The computer says...".

[damntexdem]

6. Oh, no -- I trust what the computer says.

But not the system. ;-)

[jsamuel]

7. the computer says "Nah"

[damntexdem]

5. Could The System have been that third unvited person at the state dinner?

Just wondering. ;-)

[Spike89]

8. But there is some truth to the system being entrenched

Both sides of the aisle have long been aware that their power ebbs and flows. About the only thing both sides agreed on was that the other side should be constrained somewhat when in power. Basically, we've had decades (if not centuries) of fortication to the defense of the status quo in this country. Although I'm dismayed at the meager efforts toward change being championed by leaders today, the reality is that the system never gets changed by those running it. Every major change in history has been driven by popular revolt.

[jsamuel]

9. sure, but blaming a the system discourages involvement in the political process

It sends a message that there is nothing you can do. This is just the way it is. Sorry...

Almost like suggesting we need a new constitution or some massive overhaul that the system will never allow to happen. It is cynicism at its worst. And with no leaders willing to take the blame or point the finger anywhere else, it causes despair and frustration.

[Spike89]

10. You are absolutely right

However, waiting for a President, congress critter, corporate leader, etc. to step up is also a cop out. The problem is that they will maintain the status quo until popular opinion forces them to change. There is very little true activism in America, and right now, we're pretty divided. As misguided as the teabaggers are, they are one of the few examples of citizen lobbying (even though they really were astroturf to start).

I don't believe that "the system" is unchangeable, but I also don't believe it is self-regulating (i.e., politicians are part of the system and won't/can't change it on their own). The people who can and should be insisting on change are currently not paying attention, or only willing to give lip service to change.

FDR, perhaps the most effective change agent in the presidency, never campaigned on those changes and there is good evidence he never intended to bring them about. However, when the population became unstable and a true threat of revolution became evident (always downplayed in history in my opinion), he was forced to begin the New Deal. Tellingly, among his first programs was the civilian conservation corps, which not coincidently managed to take a huge number of idle young men and place them away from their homes under quasi-military oversight. A great program, AND an effective preemptive move to avoid revolutionary fervor.

France institutes change, but that's because they are willing to go on strike, march in meaningful numbers, and generally inspire fear in their elected officials. We can barely get people to vote...we are too comfortable.

[treestar]

11. People are kind of attached to the system

Ever since the Founding Fathers came up with it, there has been a little bit of tinkering. It is tough to change on purpose. Imagine what the republicans could have gotten away with during the Bush Administration had it not been that difficult.