US Politics...in the toilet, but for how long?

[Caecilian]

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I just want to vent a little bit about US politics and try to comprehend how and why it is how it is.
I'm fairly young(25) and just started getting involved in politics and I'm AMAZED at what I have learned so far... really is the majority of the population of the US ignorant or just stupid?

Why only 2 parties, why even 2 parties. Shouldn't the best person win regardless of their party?
When did elections become all about money? Was Jefferson elected because we was rich or was it because he was the best man for the job?

When did big corporations start owning politicians. It's not logical. Why would lets say BP give Senator Man 500,000 in campaign donations? Because the corporations are just a group of nice people. No so they persuade them to craft laws in the FAVOR of the company not in favor of the people. I can't give a politician some donation then persuade him to make a law. The government works for the people not for big corporate interest. Or that is how it should be. So when did they start, why did we let it get out of control.
And wtf are with these super companies like GE, Viacom, Disney, News Corp. They own the media. How do we know we are getting the facts.

Another thing ever seen Jaywalking? It may be staged but still is the population of the US that stupid. Ignorance should not be able to vote, thats why I take polls with a grain of shit, I don't care if 70% of Americans don't want universal health care. 70% of Americans are probably irrational illogical and quite frankly should not be voting on issues and politicians they know nothing about. Sarah Palin for example, I don't care who you are, she lies, is stupid, and is proven wrong all the time. VP pick?!?!?! Brain hurts.
Obama need to grow a big set of balls, tell the republicans they are STUPID racists asshole and to STFU.
He failed at health care to please the other party. And those republicans blocked it because they wanted re-election, and there constituents "think" they don't want universal coverage. They are persuaded by the MEDIA, who in turn are in with the politicians. Vicious cycle and it needs to stop. NO more party systems, no more lobbyist or corporate funding for politicians. ALSO WHY are almost ALL US senators and congressmen millionaires. They are providing a public service. If you can get rich providing a public service then obviously your thoughts may lie somewhere else $$$. And not the good of the human race.

That's all I can talk about now. Even though there are TONS of other issues I think these are the big ones. So how do we fix it.

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Nice to see someone waking up. If only this happened more often...

The corporate takeover of US politics (and society generally) took place in the second half of the nineteenth century. The key step was the establishment of the idea of corporate personhood. Corporations became legal persons with rights- something that had never been the case before, anywhere. Similar developments occured at around the same time in the UK, Germany etc.

If you're interested, theres a good website here on the subject.

As to what to do about it- thats much less clear. My own view is that the state is not the answer- its very much part of the problem. What we need to do is take power away from hierarchical organizations such as states and corporations, and give power to individuals and communities. This leads me to a left-libertarian position that borders on anarchism.