4 ms·

One side is willing to raise taxes on billionares and continue to have democracy. The other not so much. your argument stopped having any semblance of merit at

One side is willing to raise taxes on billionares and continue to have democracy. The other not so much. your argument stopped having any semblance of merit at least decade ago. Now it is laughably unbelievable. Now, ought there be more direct representation? Of course! Should we have more than two major parties? Of course! Guess what, a lot of people on this forum I am sure make plenty of money to be able to afford going to a few fundraising events for local politicians that they favor. Y'all have influence here if you want to use it.

Fatnino 2y ago
Doesn't matter who you buy into the whitehouse, you also need to buy the majority in both houses of congress for anything to get done. This is prohibitively expensive for anyone, even the largest corporations.
- practicemaths 2y ago
  It's not too expensive to start paying for fundraising dinners for your local representatives, mayors, congress persons, etc. You can help get people elected into local positions that align with your interests. AND some of those people will continue to build their career in politics and may become Senator or Governor someday. That's influence. That's buying into the system to make it how you think things will be better.
  - Fatnino 2y ago
    My house rep has been in office for over 30 years. And my city doesn't directly elect the mayor. Such is life in Palo Alto.
    - deleted 2y ago
      [deleted]
    - practicemaths 2y ago
      Too bad there aren't County and other elections out there. It appears that Palo Alto has elections for city council every 4 years. Here's an election guide: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/City-Clerk/Municipal-Elections/2024-Municipal-Election-Guide https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/City-Clerk/Munici... https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/City-Clerk/Municipal-Elections/City-Council-Election-2024 https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/City-Clerk/Munici...

Fatnino 2y ago

Doesn't matter who you buy into the whitehouse, you also need to buy the majority in both houses of congress for anything to get done. This is prohibitively expensive for anyone, even the largest corporations.

practicemaths 2y ago
It's not too expensive to start paying for fundraising dinners for your local representatives, mayors, congress persons, etc. You can help get people elected into local positions that align with your interests. AND some of those people will continue to build their career in politics and may become Senator or Governor someday. That's influence. That's buying into the system to make it how you think things will be better.
- Fatnino 2y ago
  My house rep has been in office for over 30 years. And my city doesn't directly elect the mayor. Such is life in Palo Alto.
  - deleted 2y ago
    [deleted]
  - practicemaths 2y ago
    Too bad there aren't County and other elections out there. It appears that Palo Alto has elections for city council every 4 years. Here's an election guide: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/City-Clerk/Municipal-Elections/2024-Municipal-Election-Guide https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/City-Clerk/Munici... https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/City-Clerk/Municipal-Elections/City-Council-Election-2024 https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/City-Clerk/Munici...