Can our democracy be saved from Republican corruption?

[FormerRepublican]

I've been watching all the political scandals and corruption in the Republican party hit the news, and I'm starting to wonder if our democracy can be saved from these thugs. It's starting to hit the press, which is good because it wakes up a few more Americans to the truth of what's going on. But I personally am seriously worried about whether or not we can save our democracy from the absolutely MASSIVE levels of corruption in our government. Are they going to let Delay off? Is Fitz going to indict Rove, or will Rove get a politically connected walk? Are the massive political connections of Abramoff (and his mob pals) going to give him a walk? If this much is actually making it to the surface, how much filth is still festering underneath, waiting to explode into a nightmare for American citizens?

What do you think?

[thefloyd]

1. I believe so

Progressive grass roots candidates will slowely take hold in our halls in of democracy. The Dean strategy will work BUT change will take several years. I am hopeful

[Democrats_win]

2. No. Torture, drug wars to put African Americans in jail. Corruption runs

deep in this government. Then there are the corporations, the false religions who don´t know the meaning of reason. After them you get the crazy people who join the KKK, Nazis and white supremicist groups.

Honestly, SHOULD this be saved?

[ktlyon]

8. Yes it should ben saved

don't forget all the other people out there trying to help and do good things, you are throwing the baby out with the bath water.

[Lerkfish]

3. this is the tip of the iceberg. As long as lobbyists exist, politicians

will be corrupt.
and when lobbyists no longer exist, politicians will still be corrupt, but they'll do it for less money.

We are no longer a republic. We never were a democracy, in the strictest sense: we were always a republic, but at one time, our representatives represented US (or were supposed to), the common citizen.
What we have had for quite a while now are politicians that represent special interests AGAINST us. its always been true, and there have been corruptions on both sides of the aisle.
What is vastly different now is that unfettered by checks and balances, republicans, (who seem to have a preternatural penchant for corruption) felt in their hubris that they never even had to pretend to avoid conflicts of interest. used to be corrupt politicians went to a great deal to hide their grafts and influence peddling. NOW they shout it from the rooftops and follow with "whatcha gonna do?"

Republican corruption, aye, it should be dealt with. But the system itself enables corruption -- that will have to be dealt with as well. Otherwise, it will be like arresting drug dealers...as long as there is demand, another one will pop in its place.

[FSogol]

4. What is the point of being here if you honestly believe

it cannot be fixed?

Of course it can.

[NoAmericanTaliban]

5. Don't despair...Rome survived after Caligula & Nero

for generations with some good Emperors. Every nation has its ups & downs. Look at it from the long view. The GOP ultimately symbolizes corporate corruption of our democracy. America is not a nation for them, but a business. The GOP loves institutions that are not democratic, corp., big churches, & military. This could be a blessing in disguise, in that progressives can gain from this.

[lvx35]

6. Yes.

Don't think of corruption as being new. Its old. Think of the ages of monarchy, the times that spawned Machievelli. Civilization is what we have managed to achieve in spite of greed and corruption, what man has slowly built against it. I believe the forces of civilization will prevail, its a slow relentless ongoing fight.

[radio4progressives]

7. The Question s/b "Can our democracy be saved from Corruption?"

That's the question, regardless of which party is in power.

We have to set up a check and balance mechanism within our governance structure that is independent of parties.

otherwise, this ends up being a rhetorical debate with no real substantive conclusions or solutions.

[melody]

9. This has been a steady attack since at least 1980.

It will be hard, but it's possible.

[soothsayer]

10. Of course! Happens all the time.

[Toots]

11. Only by 100% Public Financing of Campaigns.

As long as they are legally able to take money from people that do business with the government there will be corruption..Corruption destroys Democracy.