Short Quiz on Feb 14 Topic

Focus for discussion = Robert Kuttner's "The Squandering of America: How the Failure of Our Politics Undermines Our Prosperity" (Alfred A. Knopf 2007) - available at your local library or from Amazon.com for $17.79 ($14.89 used) + shipping
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johnkarls
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Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2007 8:43 pm

Short Quiz on Feb 14 Topic

Post by johnkarls »

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1. Who ran in New Hampshire as “the candidate of change” proposing “single payer” universal health care???

2. Who was accused by Tim Russert on “Meet the Press” of a “lack of candor” for claiming that his health-care proposal was “universal”???

3. How does Dana Milbank, a Washington Post columnist, describe the power structure in Washington DC???

4. Does the NY Times book review of “Squandering of America” accuse Senators John Edwards, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Chuck Shumer of extortion and conspiracy to commit extortion???

5. From the materials on our Bulletin Board (www.drinkingliberallyslc.org/reading), what other well-known examples of successful briberies of politicians by lobbyists have gone unpunished???

6. From your own knowledge, what other examples of successful briberies of politicians by lobbyists, whether or not compelled by extortion from the pols themselves, have gone unpunished???

7. Why is it so difficult to prosecute lobbyists for bribing politicians??? Why is it so difficult to prosecute politicians who so often extort bribes by threatening to take action that is adverse to their victims???

8. Why is it virtually impossible to institute campaign-finance reform???

9. Why is it virtually impossible to regulate the support of independent groups (“527 organizations”) for specific candidates???

10. Is there anything that can be done other than waiting for a wealthy “messiah” who will finance her/his own independent run for the Presidency??? And wouldn’t s/he be thwarted anyway by a Congress filled with Senators and Congressman who have been bribed by lobbyists to prevent anything from being done???

11. Will the “change” that the American electorate continues to crave decade after decade continue to be a mirage???

12. And, for extra credit, will Benazir Bhutto’s new book be “off press” in time for our March 13 meeting???

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