Authoritarianism and American politics

[pbrower2a]

(01-22-2018, 12:37 PM)David Horn Wrote:

(01-21-2018, 10:43 PM)Kinser79 Wrote:

(01-21-2018, 02:36 PM)pbrower2a Wrote: The nexus between big money and politics has developed to the point that for all practical purposes,  lobbyists now run Congress. Government by lobbyist is a novel form of undemocratic rule.

I agree which is why Trump self-funded (with some aid from small donations and merch sales) (besides the fact he could) and why HRC was largely bought and paid for by large dollar donors and only was interested in making speeches if she could get at least 1 Million from doing so.  Only the rich have the cash to waste in that manner.

I should assume you're joking, but on the off chance you're not, where do you get this idea?  Trump has been the biggest shill in the nation's history, and has handed the keys to the government to private interests almost exclusively.  I'm no Hillary fan, but she pales in comparison.

Government has been broken every since Saint Ronald declared that the government is the problem.   Assuming Trump gets 8 year, we may be nearing the point where it will be fully privatized.  Let's see how you like high fees but lower taxes.  I suspect the out of pocket cost will grow dramatically.  The PPP that expanded I-66 in NoVA has "congestion pricing" on its tolls that can run as high as $40 for a one-way ride home from work ... no viable alternative available.

I can think of alternatives -- staying at a motel overnight, or staying at work until 7PM or so. Neither is good for family life, especially if one has a spouse who assumes that instead of commuting in a traffic jam you are playing hide the salami with the cute secretary or that steamy hunk in the office.

Note that monopoly pricing ordinarily approaches the cost of some expensive alternative. Unregulated monopoly  under the control of rapacious plutocrats or unfeeling bureaucrats is a harsh way to run things.