How the hell do we ever get out of the corrupt quagmire we're in when this shit is going on?

[tpsbmam]

Democrats following Republicans into field of undisclosed donors

Democrats putting together new independent political organizations for the 2012 campaign are embracing a model that will allow them to conceal their donors — the very tactic for which they criticized Republicans in 2010.

Majority PAC, a new group aimed at electing Democrats to the Senate, and American Bridge 21st Century, which will serve as a research hub, are being organized as so-called super political action committees that can raise unlimited amounts of money from contributors whose donations are reported to the Federal Election Commission. But both are also affiliated with nonprofit 501(c)(4) social welfare groups that can raise money from undisclosed donors and give money directly to super PACs.

The same dual structure is being considered by Bill Burton and Sean Sweeney, two former White House aides who are likely to launch their own independent expenditure effort in support of President Obama's reelection, according to people familiar with the plans.

As a spokesman for Obama, Burton repeatedly hammered Republican groups for their lack of transparency in 2010. He declined to comment.

Much more at the link (LA Times)

I realize the Democrats have to play the game or be wiped out. So where the hell does that leave all of us? With politicians bought and paid for by anonymous god-knows-who sinking billions into our elections and our politicians, we're fucked for generations is this is allowed to continue.

But how to stop it? Do third party challengers really stand a chance in hell in this kind of environment?

Our politicians, with some rare, wonderful exceptions (thank you, Bernie, Anthony W., and a few others) don't listen to us now. We are truly fucked when we have both sides acting as the public puppets of wealthy interests from got-knows-where getting god-knows-what promises for their big bucks.

Onward Wisconsin. We HAVE to learn from the bold and fabulous Wisconsin revolution and stop this crap or we're doomed! I tell you, this shit scares me to death!

[onethatcares]

1. gauddammmints, we are screwed.

the entire process is about collecting as much money as possible in as short a time as possible and those collecting the dinero better not have other plans than those doing the donating or they aren't going to get a dime.

the experiment is over folks, democracy is a product that can be purchased for campaign contributions or planted in foreign countries with bombs.

What we thought was democracy died in the 60s along with JFK, RFK, and MLK. now it's table scraps for us.

good luck and I hope you make it to the other side.

[iwishiwas]

2. Dem motto: If you can't beat'em -join-em.

[Drale]

3. Two evil evil words

Ronald Reagan

[Zax2me]

4. The repugs do it on a much larger scale.

It's not the same here, though I admit it doesn't look good.

[tpsbmam]

6. It's just a game of catch up, which is the only difference I see

So much of the legislation and capitulation in recent history has all gone to the benefit of the wealthy & corporations, it's really just a matter of degree and who has played that particular game better. The Dems have been out maneuvered every step of the way. There are precious few I trust anymore -- Bernie Sanders, Anthony Weiner, Russ Feingold when he was there, and a smattering of others. That's it -- the rest are in it for themselves and playing versions of the same crappy games the Rethugs are playing.

It makes me ill to see what has happened to a country that once really was great. There is much shame to go around and I for one think our President is due a rather large share of it. Sadly, his ego and the bubble he's built around him is barring him from seeing it. Or he just doesn't give a damn and it was all a sham.

[Poll_Blind]

5. Yeah, this is about right time-wise. It's pretty much over, folks. You can pretend it isn't and...

...lord knows there are some, about a third by my reckoning, Democrats in the party who still fight for what's right. But that's it and it's dwindling fast. I've been watching this go to shit since at least 2006, and depending on the criteria a lot earlier, and it's over.

Keep Your Powder Dry-> Hold Your Nose -> Hold Your Ankles -> Hold On For Your Dear Life

The inability to really stop Bush should have been a huge clue, I mean with us having the House and Senate. And the first two years of Obama's presidency- when we also had the House and Senate- should have been an indicator.

Thank god I have the assets to get off this rollercoaster. This whole apparatus would be an enormous joke if it didn't have so many bodies hanging from the corners of its mouth. Unless something big changes- who am I foolin?- I'm going to finish off a degree and get the hell out of here.

But what an incredible lesson I have learned since 2000, since at least 2000. One of my best traits is being able to see the train coming and one of my worst, not getting out of the way, hoping against hope that I could change it. I'm tired of getting run over and when both sides are going to run over me, what exactly is the point of putting so much energy into the side that's going try to destroy my family and I a little less than the other?

PB

[upi402]

7. lol

suckers!

so many were duped so easily. yay team! R's vs. D's
:bounce:

you're not allowed to talk about 3rd parties here. all hail the uniparty!

[Donnachaidh]

8. Change we can Believe in, right?

Clean house. ALL of them. Infestations need to be cleaned out.