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New way to think of why the government is corrupt

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pooktwo

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@weex showed my this video a long time ago, and I realized that it was in the FLDC private forums hidden from view. I wish to share this video as it is a topic that you would have never heard of or even thought of that could change government, but makes perfect sense. Its an hour long but you will not regret watching it. Get your popcorn and enjoy :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gEz__sMVaY

Posted on February 2, 2015 at 11:48 PM

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• irnhnve

  

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  I watched the whole thing last night and it was really informative. Not sure if you watch his other vids but James D'Angelo really has some great videos on his channel.

  Lots of really detailed explanations of otherwise complicated subjects.

  Posted on February 4, 2015 at 10:39 AM
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• pooktwo

  

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  @irnhnve I watched the whole thing last night and it was really informative. Not sure if you watch his other vids but James D'Angelo really has some great videos on his channel.

  Lots of really detailed explanations of otherwise complicated subjects.

  I actually haven't watched much of his other stuff, but I am really inspired by that video that I would love to much more of his stuff. Im starting to listen to more and more videos and podcast lately so I will add him to the list.

  I am also going to be making more videos myself and tonight I am working with FLDC communications expert on doing more counterparty videos. Hopefully I can add something to the internet as well

  Posted on February 4, 2015 at 10:42 AM
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• Tintin

  

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  I'd like to watch it but I don't have time to watch a full hour! Isn't there a shortened version?

  Posted on February 4, 2015 at 1:36 PM
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• pooktwo

  

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  @tintin I'd like to watch it but I don't have time to watch a full hour! Isn't there a shortened version?

  Its best to watch the whole thing, but basically he is making the argument that since politicians do not have secret votes on bills, this leaves the opportunity for lobbyists to purchase or strong arm politicians to vote on their bills they are pushing.

  As for a system that kept politicians votes a secret from the public would not allow for lobbyist to hold a politician to vote on a particular matter as they would have no way of verifying if that politician actually voted for their bill or not.

  Yes we loss the ability to see what our politicians are voting on, but a good argument as to why this isn't as important:

  • First, the politicians will vote against things they stand for all the time even if they built their campaign on it. Nothing holds them to voting for what they believe in or what they have promised the public, but money or vote exchanges on bills with other politicians can alter their decisions.

  • Second, even with the knowledge of what they have voted on, this doesn't change anything. How many of you know the exact bills that a representative voted on besides election time?

  • Third, with the votes being open on bills, lobbyists are paid millions to watch these votes and study who is voting on what to keep the politicians in check. The rest of us have our lives in crypto busy enough that we do not have the time to research what everyone is voting on, nor have the capital and resources to fix the problem. Thats why we are a republic and not a democracy, we have people who do that professionally.
  Posted on February 4, 2015 at 2:02 PM
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• irnhnve

  

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  @tintin I'd like to watch it but I don't have time to watch a full hour! Isn't there a shortened version?

  He's basically saying that because congressional votes are public, the members of congress are not able to vote how they feel on certain issues to best represent the people since lobbyists can see that they voted yes/no on certain issues. Even though everyone wants to know how their congressman voted, its bad for the system because the congressmen are compelled to vote one way or another regardless of how they should be voting.

  It goes into detail about the history of congressional voting, the time in the 70s that the change in voting took place, and the electronic system they use and ultimately how it could all be resolved with simple private voting (aka putting their anonymous votes in a box) just like how voting is done in presidential elections and basically every other voting procedure.

  Posted on February 4, 2015 at 2:42 PM
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• deebee

  

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  While I don't like not knowing how my representatives actually vote, I can see the reasoning for a secret ballot. The counter argument is that, come election time, the people have a referendum of sorts, and without actual performance information, the people are in the dark. I think the lobbying will continue, secret ballots or not.

  And the reason is that government has too much power. And someone will want or need to control that power.

  Posted on February 4, 2015 at 4:19 PM
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• pooktwo

  

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  @deebee While I don't like not knowing how my representatives actually vote, I can see the reasoning for a secret ballot. The counter argument is that, come election time, the people have a referendum of sorts, and without actual performance information, the people are in the dark. I think the lobbying will continue, secret ballots or not.

  And the reason is that government has too much power. And someone will want or need to control that power.

  Let me ask you this, do you actually know what you representative votes on? And also did they vote for the things that they promised they would?

  I think it is a valid video that goes in depth to this conversation. Representatives are elected to do their job full time and study the topics they vote on. But since lobbyist are around they just purchase votes because there is proof of what each representatives votes on.

  Taking away open ballots can eliminate lobbyists over time. And final question:

  Everything is so fucked up, that isnt it worth a try? Nothing else seems to be working

  Posted on February 4, 2015 at 7:11 PM
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• knircky

  

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  interesting. i have not watched the vid, but surely our government is based on corruption.

  Since politicians earn practically no money but have lots of power they need to monetize it differently, which creates the lobbies.

  1. i think we should just vote more directly for things and people to run things

  2. politicians should make a lot more money and should be much fewer. I.e. the president should be best payed person in the US while at the same time having lots of power so he can really make a difference. At the same time people should have the power to remove their vote immediately so that if the president does not do what the people want him to he can be removed right away. That would create a free market and competition of politicians to act for their people and not be corrupt any more
  3. voters should have the right to remove or veto any law politicians propose or any action the government does (i.e. go to war)
  Posted on February 4, 2015 at 8:34 PM
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• pooktwo

  

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  @knircky interesting. i have not watched the vid, but surely our government is based on corruption.

  Since politicians earn practically no money but have lots of power they need to monetize it differently, which creates the lobbies.

  1. i think we should just vote more directly for things and people to run things

  2. politicians should make a lot more money and should be much fewer. I.e. the president should be best payed person in the US while at the same time having lots of power so he can really make a difference. At the same time people should have the power to remove their vote immediately so that if the president does not do what the people want him to he can be removed right away. That would create a free market and competition of politicians to act for their people and not be corrupt any more
  3. voters should have the right to remove or veto any law politicians propose or any action the government does (i.e. go to war)

  You should really watch the video :) Its only an hour, but well worth it. Watch the video then come back and lets discus :)

  Posted on February 4, 2015 at 8:36 PM
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• irnhnve

  

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  @deebee While I don't like not knowing how my representatives actually vote, I can see the reasoning for a secret ballot. The counter argument is that, come election time, the people have a referendum of sorts, and without actual performance information, the people are in the dark. I think the lobbying will continue, secret ballots or not.

  And the reason is that government has too much power. And someone will want or need to control that power.

  The point was that even if lobbying did continue, votes would not have to comply how the lobbyist wanted. The congress members could still lie and voted the way that the lobbyist wanted but really voted the other way

  Posted on February 5, 2015 at 8:51 AM
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