And you would agree that we the people have created this lose-lose, toxic atmosphere?

>> ^dystopianfuturetoday:

Obama and Paul are both good guys. I give them both the benefit of the doubt that they'd like to kick some ass in Washington, but it's not possible with the way our elections are structured. In order to get elected, you not only need big business bucks, but you also need to reassure big business that their power will not be challenged, lest they tear you apart in the media. This creates an election to election cycle of dependency that nullifies not only the voice of the people, but also the vision of the politician.
For Ron Paul to get elected, he would need both the financial and moral support of multinational corporations, which leaves his supporters with 2 possible outcomes: a principled loser or a neutered winner.
Lessig talks about this cycle of dependency in the latter half of this video: http://videosift.com/video/Lawrence-Lessig-Your-Broadband
-Milked-For-Profit-Not-Speed
Until we sort out our campaign finance system, we will always have subservient leaders.

Obama and Paul are both good guys. I give them both the benefit of the doubt that they'd like to kick some ass in Washington, but it's not possible with the way our elections are structured. In order to get elected, you not only need big business bucks, but you also need to reassure big business that their power will not be challenged, lest they tear you apart in the media. This creates an election to election cycle of dependency that nullifies not only the voice of the people, but also the vision of the politician.

For Ron Paul to get elected, he would need both the financial and moral support of multinational corporations, which leaves his supporters with 2 possible outcomes: a principled loser or a neutered winner.

Lessig talks about this cycle of dependency in the latter half of this video: http://videosift.com/video/Lawrence-Lessig-Your-Broadband-Milked-For-Profit-Not-Speed

Until we sort out our campaign finance system, we will always have subservient leaders.

In reply to this comment by bleedmegood:
I'll see your promote and *doublepromote

very awesome of ya man.
the song stuck in your head yet?

In reply to this comment by NordlichReiter:
Hungry? Why wait. *promote

thanks man!

^"Well i'd never admit to something i didn't do. Never. Couldn't do it."

I understand that statement as I sit fat and happy behind my computer monitor on my nice chair. The decision isn't nearly as easy when you face the death penalty, and some overworked public defender that is most likely saying you should take the plea. That situation happens a lot. The public defender in most cases tries his best to never go to court...not because he is a bad person but because he is playing the odds. Odds are that if his client goes to trial and loses he dies. He is a public defender so he can't exactly drop all his other cases and focus on this one; so truly, it would be better to lie and go to jail then to die for his client.

I used to have my own overzealous idea of the justice system and how I would behave in it. But once you are behind those bars, and the cold slam of metal clanks behind you and you take your perch on the cold scared concrete floor next to other inmates who scare the living ship out of you; you experience a whole new paradigm. Make no mistake, jail/prison is a horrible, miserable place. When you get there it would take a marvel of a person to remain in their rational mind. The fear, stress, and panic deep in the hallows of your mind are nearly tearing you apart. The DA knows this, and uses it to their full advantage, as do the officers and other inmates. You may think you know how you will act in hell, but until you have been there I wouldn't be so hasty to sum up your actions.

SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Change

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Never Ending

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Dr Strangeluv

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Find Your Gone

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Saviorself

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Sixteen

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Care for you

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
Ounce in a lifetime

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Young Folks

WHAT IS 2+2?
Hotel California

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Darkangel

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
winter lux

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Out of control ***woot***

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Love like blood

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Tear you apart

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
High and Dry

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
I will posses your heart ***woot***

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
The killing Moon ***woot***

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
I don't want to fall in love

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
These things

WHATS THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
I was wrong ***perfect***

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Rain

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Linger

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Tarantas Negra

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Bannanas and Blow

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Coin Operated Boy

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
It's good to be in love

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Karma Police

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Time to get away ***woot***

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Now or Never

They were just joking around, sheesh. Jerry wasn't getting all high-and-mighty or anything.

Give Jerry some credit...he has tons of money, yet he still goes out and performs stand-up. Stand-up in places where they would tear you apart after a minute if you're not funny. He can ride on his fame maybe...maybe...the first 5 minutes of a routine. But after that if he isn't funny he's dead. It's pure, raw, naked, vulnerability to put yourself out there like that and even more so with people thinking he's Mr. Hot-Shot. Yet he still does it...and he doesn't have to at all.