how can we stop politicians and lobbyist from abusing powers and ruining Americas democracy?

Question

how can democracy work when free enterprise causes monopolies and corporations to make the laws of the land

Answer 1

It might be a good idea to grant the FBI - some sort of special status -when it comes to corruption- as well as the GAO (general Accounting Office). Both of these institutions have been very good at rooting out corruption and waste. The problem is the politicians make sure no one gets prosecuted or pays a substantial penalty.

For example - Columbia HCA was caught fraudulently charging over $6 BILLION dollars to the US governemnt (taxpayer) for medicare (mainly) and medicaid services - which were grossly over-inflated, or never delivered. Now they are buying back stick shares of their company with ill gotten gains to make it privately held company. After all who wants t share 5.7 billion dollars worth of profits with the shareholders - !! Unfortunately there are too many examples of this happening.

Their penalty - 300 million dollar fine - therefore the moral of the story is steal big - real real big. In a case like this - I can not understand why they were not penalized for 300 million dollars a year for 20 years. Don't even get me started on other governemnt "contract" with private industry that are nothing more than vehicles of enrichment for the select "chosen" few.

I also think - any one involved in major government fraud and corruption should have their citizenship revoked and deported from the country.

Better an honest illegal than greedy pig born in the US stealing from his fellow americans.

Answer 2

1. Term limits for all elected officials at every level.
2. Campaign finance reform.
3. Properly educated voters. This is probably the most powerful tool. An educated voter can make the greastest difference in government, by educating themselves and electing officials who are committed to their constituency, rather than the corporations.

As a side note, you still need the lobbyist system. The bulk of funding received by cities, for city projects, is created through lobbyists. Without them, many of the improvement projects that you enjoy would not take place.

Answer 3

Until politicians are willing to admit that there is a problem and take genuine steps to curtail lobbyists, things will continue to erode

Answer 4

The answer is to eliminate re-elections. No one can serve twice at any office. This would clean up a lot of crap that goes on.

Answer 5

If you can find the perfect answer to that and write a good book about it, you'll be very rich.

I'll help you write the book, if you can come up with a good solution.

Answer 6

Electoral reform

The "vote for one, most votes wins" system makes it nearly impossible to win elections if you're not one of the two most visible candidates.

Answer 7

its impossible to stop them mite as well join them and make some money off them

Answer 8

Don't think the solution is legal.

Answer 9

You need a REVALUTION.