The love of lobbyist money is the root of all evil

I am sick to death of the influence of corporate lobbyists over the politicians in Washington. Money buys facetime and influence and it even buys elections that allow the corruption trains to continue and flourish.

It'll be the death of this country.

Think about the most serious problems we, as a country, are facing. Pretty much all of them can be linked back to politicians who govern based on what is best for their corporate contributors. And this governance is usually at the expense of what is best for the average person.

For example:

• Illegal immigration -- This issue has corporate America written all over it. They want cheap labor. They don't want to pay for health benefits. They don't want to pay market wages. And you can be rest-assured that they are doing everything they can do to make sure that we have an oversupply of cheap, pliable labor in this country.
• Our addiction to oil -- Oil companies are filthy rich and getting richer by the second. They have one of their own in the White House. They have NO interest in alternative energy sources (contrary to their dovish and benign commercials). Are oil companies going to find ways to fund elections of "friendly" candidates and influence votes once those candidates are in office? You'd better believe it.
• Terrorism -- Our biggest threat. It is an extension of our dependence on foreign oil. We have to "play nice" with rogue nations because they have the black stuff under their feet. Terrorists from these countries hate us for "stealing their natural resources" and we can't get the leaders of these rogue nations to crack down like they should. "Our friends, the Saudis"?? Please.
• Outsourcing of good middle-class jobs -- Of course, when corporations can't bring in the cheap labor to keep wages artificially low, they are more than eager to send the jobs themselves to the cheap countries. And politicians will endorse and applaud their actions. Why pay an American $60K to do a job that an Indian will do for $5K? Never mind that fact that these companies continue to charge first-world prices for products that are now made with third-world wages -- and all this while Washington remains completely inept at getting the countries taking our jobs to open up their markets to US goods.
• Security of our ports and borders -- The aforementioned need for artificially cheap labor addresses why corporations aren't interested in secure borders. Regarding the ports, just look back at the Dubai ports deal. Anything for a buck -- even if it opens us up to countries that knowingly harbor terrorists.

Those are just a few of the issues we're facing. But the next time we are facing a dilemma, think about the position that corporate America would take on it and you'll notice how hard Congress is fighting for that position -- even if it means that you get the shaft. And note that it's not just Republicans but Democrats as well. They also receive corporate $$. Additionally, they take money from special interest groups who care about their own (usually fringe or radical minority) interests. Lobbyist money is flowing freely throughout Washington and has completely corrupted our system of government.

Somehow, I don't think that our founding fathers ever intended for our country to become what it is today.

With that being said, should corporations and special interests have a seat at the table? Yes, absolutely. We have a perfect example of what happens when corporate interests are ignored: France. In France, the unions are so strong and the government so weak that their corporate environment is horrible and their economy is hopelessly stagnant. However, in the US, the balance swings the other way. Our corporate influence is so overwhelming that the impact of government's actions on the average person are often ignored. People vote candidates into office and those candidates then legislate as if we were USA, Inc. There needs to be a balance between the influence of citizens and corporations on governmental policy. A bias in either direction can have dire consequences.

What are some possible solutions?

First, push for term limits. The longer a member of Congress stays in Washington, the more out of touch he gets with his constituents. And the power of the incumbency (name recognition, preferential treatment from the party) is so strong that it is nearly impossible to get some of these antiques out of office.

Second, we should push for public funding of elections. Because the cost of elections have skyrocketed, the average person can't have a realistic change of running for office. As a result, we have rich candidates who just can't relate to the struggles of the average person. Also, public funding of elections would prevent candidates from feeling obligated to vote like corporate flunkies for those corporate interests who supported their campaigns.

Third, continue to demand that corrupt politicians -- from both sides of the aisle -- get exposed, shamed, removed from office, and convicted. Make examples of them. The "perp walk" does wonders - and it's immensely gratifying to watch.

Finally, elect candidates that will promise to break the cycle of money-grubbing in Washington. Yes, candidates lie. But maybe, just maybe, enough of them will finally live up to election-year promises and give the government back to the people.

Wouldn't that be nice?