How can American politics become more ethical?

Question

Exxon Mobil, one of G.W. Bush's (and the republican party's) major sponsors, has tried to bribe scientists to support EM's position on climate change. In addition, the Bush administration is also failing to take action on greenhouse gas emissions (this would take away from Exxon Mobil profits). Does this not scream 'conflict of interest'? Should Bush have to comment about the actions of Exxon Mobil, since he is so strongly linked to them?

How should America change its politics so that the country can be run without fear of ulterior motives/hidden agendas?

I never said that democrats that are not influenced by sponsors as well...you're missing my point...how can (or should) politics be reformed to reduce the influence of sponsors?

Answer 1

The only way to make government more ethical is to do away with the exhorbitantly high cost of getting into office (ie. media expenses) and to have candidates that are not indebted to those who gave them money for their campaign. The internet and the advent of lots of small donations is helping because if everyone gave $5 to one candidate that's alot of money. Oh that we could live in the day and age where a normal average Joe could run for office based on his ideas and not be influenced by oil or the drug industries.

Answer 2

Look my friend; i'll be very brief on to the point
['m a brit but that doesnt matter(jus means im different or even
slightly diff); the 20th century scholar called karl Popper talked
and taught ENDLESSLY about politics; some listened but it still
seems that ordinary citizens havnt(and strangely you or i could
never know this fer Sure!). All right wing and All left wing use any
prevailing method or populat theory,to maintain power and to try to influence our politicians. And these are politicians who are
elected BY THE MASS.
Thus i think its fair to say that we all Live in-a-time-of Mass-politics. We can see this clearly,in certain sections of the populations misery(or just criticism) and real
examples such as the recent importance of just a few thousand
spoilt or not vote papers, that caused a (media) commotion in
florida, a few years ago.
When 'dusty'old scholars like sir karl #
above,talk of the ancient Greeks,who may have chozen their
small and local leader-politicians by LOT; then we may well have a perfectly adequate and reasonable better alternative to
our worlds mass so-called democracy; for it does need changing; this is by now obvious to most in our little world's
increasing Human population and our world's increasing carbon
dioxide release problem(melting of our ice caps).

And random selection would,of course,be completely free of bias;
whether left, right,center or environmental. Of course,virtually
NO current or existing(mass democratically taught) politician is
likely to join you or i on this; for the instant this'took off', they would be out-of-a-job. And hopefully Permanently.
So good luck with ur mass-democracy party politics;i for one
wont mind missing that 'party'!

Answer 3

Do what the Roman republic and Confucious China did: elect or remove people based on MERIT. If they do a bad job or do something unethical, remove them (this is how our society is supposed to work, but it doesn't). There needs to be a way to test the capability of candidates; Han China did a 4 day test with written and oral components, and Romans picked the best possible candidate and examined his performance for a year (he was removed if any unethical or incompetent actions were taken).

Answer 4

Everyone is controlled by corporations. Sorry sister the democrats are owned as well . I am going to wear a shirt that says "I am voting for Mom this election". I want this shirt for my kids. If this country were run by people like my wife we would have about 50% less problems than we do now.

Answer 5

The folks in politics from Washington DC to your hometown make decisions every meeting that will more than likely affect someone or some group financially. Since money can be made or lost according to their actions, money will be spent on them or withheld from them to try to persuade them to vote to achieve desired results. (campaign contributions, free trips, envelopes showing up in mailboxes or under tables)

I don't know if we can change it or not. It is hard to track funds and transactions of people who are in the position to make laws regarding the way we track funds and transactions. Catch 22.

Oil companies aren't the only ones lobbying in DC.

Answer 6

I believe the greatest majority of politicians cannot look in the mirror and like what they see in the image looking back at them!!! Most have sold out in one form or another! They say the right things but neglect to do the right things! All they would have to do would be to put the COUNTRY FIRST AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FIRST!! BUT DO THEY? CHARACTER IS EVERYTHING WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC SERVICE!! THE PEOPLE WHO SERVE NEED TO MAKE A REAL COMMITMENT TO THE COUNTRY AND IT'S PEOPLE!!!

Answer 7

Ummm, how about stopping abortion, murdering innocent babies. How about stopping gay and lesbian marriages. Now those are two ETHICAL problems that are widespread. Oh, let's talk accountability. Isn't is ethical to be held accountable when someone does wrong? The conservative are put over a fire by the dems and even conservatives hold them accountable. Yet the dems seem to close their eyes to criminal dem leaders. That is ethical??

Answer 8

What about hollywierd and the left? the clintons were crooks and should be in jail not in office at all. But the liberals keep voting people like that into office. You are the blind one, who chooses not to see because your liberal crones have you brainwashed into believing their tripe. Oh to have free thinkers in this nation again. What a joy it would be.

Answer 9

The best is by having for as such many honest brilliant loving thinkers which can make the ideas larger as the good life needed.

Answer 10

But your hidden agenda is ok?