Lessig on The Daily Show: Money Links EVERY Issue We Care About
December 14, 2011
Go @lessig!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Send this to EVERYONE you know who needs to learn the basics on money and politics. It’s everything you need to know in 13 minutes.
Fellow money in politics freedom fighter (and friend of the show), Harvard professor Lawrence Lessig was on with Jon Stewart last night. In case you missed it, here’s his whole conversation with Jon about the corrupting influence on money and politics, and his book Republic, Lost.
“This is the root. Money is the root, and unless we find rootstrikers who are willing to strike at that root, we’re never going to fix the problem,” he said.
We couldn’t agree with you more, Professor! And we’re glad Jon Stewart is continuing to bring attention to this issue we care so much about.
Here’s the full interview, Part I and II (you can also watch them at TheDailyShow.com):
And for that fantastic interview we award Prof. Lessig with a very rare award from the staff of DylanRatigan.com. The much coveted “Who’s Awesome? You’re Awesome!” award, presented for tirelessly advocating for our need for a #Great28Debate and getting money OUT OF POLITICS once and for all. Go @lessig!
- Meg Robertson is a digital producer for Dylan Ratigan. She still wants a signed copy of Republic, Lost.
This is an excellent analysis of the real situation, but it's not the whole answer. The corporations have control of every aspect of American government, including the court system. Legislation filed to take the money out of politics if passed would be watered down to the point of ineffectiveness. Then would be the usual court battles to weaken it further. Then would be the actual implementation of the law that might vary widely. Since the courts are in their camp, judicial action might weaken such things further.
Therefore we must look beyond the politicians of both Democrat and Republican. We have no other choice but to make systemic change, as you say, at the root, but going beyond campaign spending reform.
Thank you for a very informative piece. Hopefully a majority of citizens can see these videos and understand what has to be done to save this nation.
Lawrence Lessig's book is fantastic. I would strongly recommend that anyone who cares about the dysfunctional state of our country read it in it's entirety. Buy it or request it at you're local library, then make sure that at least two other people do the same and that they do the same. Only buy educating ourselves and others can can we begin to take back our country from the "Greedy Bastards" that are systematically destroying us.
However, education alone is not enough. Ask any of the OCWS members who can't find a job that will pay enough to buy groceries, have a place to live and pay for their student loans. Or for that matter, ask any of the other millions of people that are unemployed or under employed that are struggling to make ends meet. What is needed is action. And by action, I mean direct action by each and every one of us. Letting our elected officials know exactly what is expected of them, and the holding them accountable is not just a right, but it is the duty of every citizen.
Our Constitution says "We the People". It does not say We the Corporations, We the Rich, We the Politicians, or even We the Greedy Bastards. It is "We the People", and it is up to us, not them. Change will only come if we make it happen, and the time is now.
For anyone interested in learning more, or who wants to become part of something that has real potential as a vehicle for change, I suggest checking out The Justice Party USA's website. What will happen with this attempt to start a new political party is unknown. And specific positions on many issues have yet to be defined. However, this is an opportunity to get involved at ground level and help shape something that has the potential to reshape our political system and the direction of our nation in a way that benefits everyone now and for future generations to come. But only if enough people come together to make their voices heard and make it happen.
Their address is http://www.justicepartyusa.net/