When I think of a member of Congress, I'd like to imagine a person who spends most of her time considering and adopting legislation or someone who is a lifeline for constituents in need. But that's far from the truth. The reality is that they are pretty much nothing more than glorified telemarketers expected to spend 20-30 hours a week at a call center dialing for dollars with scripts provided by party operatives. They do this during business hours, when you'd expect them to be working for you.
The American Anti-Corruption Act would ban Congressmen from fundraising during business hours, when they should be working for you.
Last year, Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips (Dem) and Wisconsin Congressman Mike Gallagher (GOP) introduced the On the Clock Act, which would prohibit members of Congress from directly soliciting contributions whenever Congress is in session. “Instead of listening to constituents and solving problems, too many of my colleagues are dialing for dollars and attending fancy lunches and dinners," said Phillips. "In fact, our entire congressional schedules are arranged to make it easier for members to raise money throughout the day. The On the Clock Act won’t fix everything about our broken campaign finance system, but it will force members to spend more time working and less time lining their campaign coffers.”
The bill failed to attract a single supporter from either party.
They were probably on the phone.
25 comments:
Politicians are going to do this country in.
Our system of government breeds these type of people--we are in trouble.
Better idea would be to limit congress to 2 30 day sessions in washington, then demand they maintain the rest of the time in their offices in their district, Also provide temporary housing for them for their 2 30 day sessions. Make them be representatives of their districts to washington, rather than representatives of washington to their districts.
Perhaps we all should take the time and ask our representatives why they did not vote for this.
Time for an overhaul.
Our present Congress is probably the most ‘anti-Average Citizen’ group ever seen in our history. To make matters worse, Congress has devolved into a UniParty. Democrat and Republican members are just two wings of the same bird. They plot together to feather their OWN nest, not ours.
Too many are corrupt grifters using special favors and money laundered back to themself.
I'm somewhat appalled to hear a Congressman say that that Congress' own schedule revolves around its call center. Yes, both parties suffer from the same soft corruption. But there are differences. They may be too small for extremists on the left and right, but ideologies differ. Democrats like myself tend to think government can do good even though we often make a mess of things. Republicans tend to think government will just make things worse, although their substitutes (church, good will) are often worse.
How is church and good will bad? Not sure I understand what you are trying to say. The men and woman in government have mostly lost their way forgety about why they were voted in. I like term limits to maybe help with this. Many good people won't run because of how corrupt it all is.
Sound comparison. With approval ratings consistently in the teens, few entities in American life are despised more than members of Congress; that includes telemarketers.
Ideally, churches and anything that appeals to our altruistic nature are great. Unfortunately, churches lack the resources to assist those in need. They also seek to impose their sets of beliefs on others. During the Great Depression, churches were simply unable to cope with the hardships imposed on those who lost their jobs, their homes and their wealth. We saw a bit of that during COVID as well. The systems put in place by the government (workers comp, SNAP, CARES Act and ARPA) were unwieldy and subject to abuse, but they did the most good for those in need. I respect and admire some committed conservatives who really do try to help people through their churches and who eschew government intervention. But that is the basic difference between the left and the right. We both want to help everyone, but we have different means of delivery.
"We both want to help everyone, but we have different means of delivery."
Thanks Bernie, that's the key point - most of us are good people with good intentions and want to do the right thing. It'd be a smart thing for all of us to remember that when we have a disagreement. The other guy is not evil just because they disagree with me.
The Banker
If you’re dependent on government for assistance, you’ve already lost.
our Supreme Mullahs say that the right to spend money on your preferred candidate is protected free speech. This creates a financial arms race for both sides to get their message out.
I want to teach people to be self sufficient. I don't want hand outs so big that no one has any incentive to work. Teach them to fish.... Don't teach them to expect help. The pandemic happen once in over a hundred years. People want more and more handouts and many don't want to lift a finger if we must do hand outs make them work for it. Sorry but taking away their debt teaches them nothing about responsibility. Church teaches to do for others and not ourselves. Lessons this country;half of it ;seems to have forgotten
Sorry, but they are evil.
Progressive governments forced churches to close. Repeat: to close. What country are you reporting on, Bernie?
And who do you all think is voting for the candidates with big campaign budgets?
2:08 does that apply equally to businesses who take many more millions of dollars then people. And I am not talking the scum of skimmers. I am talking the people which need it. I personally feel there should be no perks or tax abatements or other governmental handouts to businesses. Also there should be no tax deductions for any company who contributes to political officials or creates any type of appendant organization to do the same.
3:47 you forget that many churches at the same time also preach convert or get no more.
It is too late we are falling and our government will never turn us around.
Cynical and sarcastic perspective: In a state where you are given a choice only between a Congressperson who spends efforts at a call center, and one who doesn’t, I might choose the one who makes the calls. What that tells me is that that candidate hasn’t already been bought out by the shadow big money, and still needs the support. Sad to think that way.
Hi Bernie. Don’t forget that during a six-month period (give or take), churches were shuttered due to Covid lockdowns. It is hard for churches to lend a helping hand when told to shut the doors.
Churches were open during the Great Depression and Great Recession. As much as they helped, and they did, it was not enough. Churches were closed for services during COVID, but still helped people with food banks and numerous other creative ways to help. One church had people pull into their parking lot and brought food out to them. I think they are wonderful people who care, but it simply is not enough. Like it or not, we do need government.
What church?
If you do not see your comment, read my comments policy. Stay on topic.
Post a Comment