Congressman says Banks "own" Congress
By lilwonders
@lilwonders456 (8214)
United States
May 1, 2009 3:18pm CST
Sen. D*ck Durbin (Democrat from Illinois) recently said in a recent interview that in Congress despite being blindingly obvious, no one really talks about it. He is quoted as saying that "It is hard to believe in a time when we’re facing a banking crisis that many of the banks created — are still the most powerful lobby on Capitol Hill. And they frankly own the place."
So he is saying the same banks that put in this crisis own congress and are calling all the shots. And we wonder why greed and corrupt run rampant in washington.
Seems lobbyist do own congress especially the ones representing banks. So much for them representing the public that elected them.
What do you think about this and what should be done? What do you plan to do?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Arkie69 (2156)
• United States
2 May 09
Not only the banks own Congress but anyone with a lot of money. Big oil companies, Auto makers you name it. These are the people that are paying these millions to get people elected and reelected to congress. What would you do is you had spent years getting to a point where you could run for Congress with a chance of being elected and someone gave you huge amounts of money? Would you not be real good to them hoping they will do the same come the next election? Big money controls Washington and has for many years.
What we need is a limit on how much a person can spend to get elected. Just because someone has a huge amount of money backing then up does not make them the best person for the office but they are usually the ones elected. The rule in Washington is "You scratch my back I'll scratch yours". Politics is a business like any other and if you are not in office you don't have a business.
Art
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
2 May 09
How many votes does the bank cast in the election, Big Oil, Auto Companies? They have very few and can not make a difference with their few votes. What they have is money that the Congressmen and Senators spend. The people still have the vote and the power to put these people into office, not the banks or the oil companies.
@Arkie69 (2156)
• United States
2 May 09
Yes but they depend on this money to get the votes needed to be elected. The more money they have the more lies they can tell and the more they can deceive the voters. You don't think the millions Obama spent to lie his way into office was his money do you?
Art
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
4 May 09
What they offer is not votes....but lots of money. You and I both know who ever raises teh most money to blow on an election usually wins. So they offer tons of money so that the elected official can blow it to buy the next election.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
1 Aug 09
I agree, lobbying should be outlawed. NO ONE should have the right or the power to influence what Congress does except their constituents.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
1 Aug 09
I would add this quote:
Sir Josiah Stamp 1880-1941
If you want to remain slaves of the bankers and pay the costs of your own slavery, let them continue to create money and control the nations credit.
Our forefathers knew a central bank would be the downfall of our democracy.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
2 May 09
You can hear the interview and Senator Durbin's speech on the Senate floor here:
http://www.progressillinois.com/taxonomy/term/73
Unfortunately, he's apparently right, at least the banks own 51 Senators since Durbin's mortgage proposal was defeated 51-45. I think it $ucks and I've already written a letter to the one Senator - Arlen Specter, to be exact - from my state who voted for the banks and against his constituents. I'll find the list of those who voted against the proposal and how much they'd received in campaign contributions from bankers and get back to you! They named the Democrats on TV earlier tonight.
Annie
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
5 May 09
This needs to stop. Good for you for writing the letter. Remember his actions when it comes time to vote.
It is just not the democrats. It is the republicans too. The lobbyist need to gotten rid of. They take the focus aways from the people of this country and on to the rich companies or groups that can afford a lobbyist.
1 person likes this
@xfahctor (14113)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
2 May 09
It apears Durbin is beginning to take a peek in to that rabbit hole isn't he. Well, Senator Durbin, I have news for you, they have owned your asss since about 1913 and more and more so every year since. They not only own congress, but pretty near the entire government, and not just the U.S. government. Ack, I could write a novel on this topic, but don't worry, I won't. however, it would be a good idea now for people to back and read the T.A.R.P. legislation and see just how much more of it's own asss congress sold off to the world banks when they passed that bill.
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
5 May 09
They know. They knew it when they passed it. They just do not want the majority of us to realize it.
@Adoniah (7512)
• United States
2 May 09
I find it hard to believe that the "Banks own Congress". I think that this is just another snow job to try to throw the public off the sent of what is really going on.
Something that is being Nationalized cannot "Own" what is Nationalizing IT. That is just diametric.
Even the NRA does not "Own" Congress, because they do not always get there way. It is getting harder and harder to get Congress to recognize the freedoms that are granted by the Constitution.
Shaom~Adoniah
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
5 May 09
yes it is getting harder and harder for congress to recongize.
But the lobbyist are a big problem. They are handing out money like candy. But only to politians who vote how they want. Those politicans want to the money to use on their re-election. Generally who ever spends the most on their campaign wins. So they keep that in mind when they vote. So therefore who are they really serving? The lobbyist or the poeple of the state that elected them? I see a big conflict of interest there.
