Will we ever be able to take our government back from the Corporations?

[SargeUNN]

Poll question: Will we ever be able to take our government back from the Corporations?

It really is a serious question and to be honest I don't know and really have serious doubts. What do you think? If you want to get a number of votes please reply as well so it will stay visible longer.

[Monique1]

1. I voted no

- I think it is too late unless the Dems get the balls to fight.

[Monique1]

2. for those who said yes?

Why did you say this?

[RevStPatrick]

19. I voted yes, and here's why.

Those corporations have bought our government with money from the profits on products and services that we purchased from them. It is not that difficult, in this day of just about any piece of info being a Google search away to figure out what companies have contributed how much and to whom. For example, it's no stretch to figure out that Wal-Mart is "red" and Costco is "blue."

It is possible, OK... though maybe unlikely, to get people to simply stop buying things from the "bad guys." When their profits dry up, they will no longer have control.

Yes, it will be difficult. But it's not impossible. Start with yourself. Convince a friend to be mindful of where they spend their money. It can be done...

[SargeUNN]

3. in my opinion this is a very important question since

the Supreme Court ruling has opened the door to more corporate influence and look at how this corporate media is so slanted. I think it is maybe the most important question to be asked.

[earth mom]

4. If there's a will there's a way. Though it won't be easy. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. We have in the past, we will in the future

at this point I don't know how. But it will happen.

That is what scares them actually. If it is peaceful it is just a loss in the bottom line. If it is not on the other hand...

[zipplewrath]

6. We can contain them though

We went through something like this and it started the union movement, and got the anti-trust acts into place. Also got control of the banking industry to some extent. We're gonna have to get back to those fundamentals.

[Radical Activist]

7. I think we can at the local level.

It's easier to make an impact at the local level with good organizing. Then it will spread from there. I know focusing on Presidential races is more exciting but any one persons ability to make a difference in a national election is insignificant compared to the impact one person can have in local and state politics.

[alc]

8. only if voters stop automatically voting for D or R

3rd parties don't need to win, but enough voters (5-10%) need to send the message that you aren't getting our vote unless you pay attention to us. The way it is now Ds and Rs know they have their base and need to swing enough other votes their way - and that takes corporate money. So their careers require corporate money but do not require representing their constituents.

They fact that congressmen consider politics a career and are constantly focused on the next election to extend their career is another part of problem.

[closeupready]

9. No. The degree of control over the government which they possess ... I mean,

you couldn't write a believable book or play about it. It's beyond complete. And no, I don't think we will ever get it back. People and entities which possess power don't just give it up upon request.

[xchrom]

10. I wish I knew the answer to that.

It's the most critical question of our time.

[Monique1]

12. I'm seeing people are just as ignorant at the local level

as they are on the national level. The local level is just a corrupt these days.

[T Wolf]

11. Until people get fed up enough and uncomfortable enough to take real action directly

against the people who run and profit from those corporations, not a god damned thing will change.

As long as there are no consequences for their actions, they will continue to do what they do.

But, let them fear for themselves and their families and their livelihood and theymay change their behavior.

Nothing short of a French Revolution approach will make any difference. And I am not even sure if that would do the trick - because they do have the resources to hire other poor people to protect them. That is the reason behind their gated communities.

The only chance that things will get "bad" enough for real change is the bottomless well of greed that drives them. I do believe that they are deluded and removed enough from reality that they will go too far. I hope I am around to see it.

[Monique1]

14. I know what you are saying but

people are hurting now and they still vote the same dang way. The people who lost everything in Katrina remain to vote the same way.

[Taverner]

13. Yes. All institutions fall.

There was a time when folks were talking about taking their government back from the king

Soon the corporations will fall (if that isn't happening now) and capitalism will change

[Progrimm]

15. depressing

:( All these no's so depressing.

I think we can, we just need to wake people up and get the progressive community together

example:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/8/26/104222/871

[frebrd]

16. No - Capitalism has this country by the throat.......

and will nevr let go!

[Brother Buzz]

17. My Magic 8-Ball® says...

Outlook not so good

[metapunditedgy]

18. Between this thread and the "God loves you" thread, now I'm really depressed. Sigh. n/t