Simple, “we the people” are in fact ‘we the sheeple.’ Wasn’t always so.
james23 on December 17, 2008 at 12:32 PM

What’s the matter with New Yorkers? I hear no opposition to the Kennedy proposal.

They deserve what they get if they don’t oppose the socialite’s coronation.

I have news for New Yorkers, the Kennedy influence is pervasive. We have one running my state of California from behind the scenes. Arnie even admitted everything he does gets checked through Maria.

The better question is why so many dynastic and quasi-dynastic candidates have begun appearing in Congressional races of late.

Simple, “we the people” are in fact ‘we the sheeple.’ Wasn’t always so.

Ed brings up an interesting point though about hereditary wealth. By not having a meaningful death/inheritance tax wealth does get calcified and concentrated among those born to it…. political power tends to follow close behind.

Someone could make one heck of a great name for them selves by mapping ALL of the political families across the country and showing what offices they control. (Include Appointed positions.)

If I was rich like Soros, I’d pay several people to do that independently and collate the results.

If I was young motivated and literary/academic I’d do it myself as part of my PhD thesis and parlay it into a web site which gets you on talk shows and consulting gigs. But I’m old and busy.

Nepotism Nation: Dems embrace dynasty politics from Politico reports on the increasing trend of nepotism turning the US Congress into the House of Lords complete with hereditary positions felt to be appropriate. While the Obama-Biden ticket is the firs…

The best solution to the dynasty issue is to eliminate the artificial obstacles in campaign fundraising in favor of complete and immediate disclosure of all contributions

Two words:

Term
Limits

Seriously, while they wouldn’t stop trying to establish these dynasties term limits would make it a lot harder for these elitist families to get their claws into a permanent lifetime-and-beyond seat.

MarkTheGreat on December 17, 2008 at 10:07 AM

Yep. They are now schooled to inherit the title. The title is saleable for a couple mil after they leave office

It is the MSM that pushes the dynastics. The MSM clamors for installing the newly laid eggs and declares them inheritors

Who owns the MSM?

People working for the MSM think they are independents, but they are chosen for their correctness, and they are also generally schooled at the same institutions many of which began as institutions of theology

Those who were not born to title are bestowed, as Obama was. He was selected, then elected by the dynastics

Every now and then one blows the cover and makes a stink like Blago who was also selected and elected

Stinking nobles are never as good as their PR and the oblige is killing us

It wasn’t until the 17th Amendment that the states were stripped of their voices and the Senate became a lifetime career choice.

angelat0763 on December 17, 2008 at 9:55 AM

Much like the Roman Senate.

The states have an interest in having effective representation, whereas what we have now are the parties wanting a reliable vote, not caring whether or not the Senator can actually contribute something.

Why’d the Founding Fathers bother with the American Revolution?

Why go to all the trouble and expense of elections, when at the end of it all, we wind up with the same old families of inbred, incompetent, corrupt, arrogant, drunken, lecherous morons?

Point of order – the Founders didn’t like the idea of the direct election of Senators. The House members, intended to represent the people, were elected by the people. The Senate was supposed to represent the interest of the states, and the seats were filled by the leadership of the individual states, usually an appointment by the legislature.

It wasn’t until the 17th Amendment that the states were stripped of their voices and the Senate became a lifetime career choice.

BINGO!

+1

Which family would that be McCain or Pallin?

The Clintonistas. McCain was Obama’s toy b*tch. Palin was Obama’s worst nightmare that McCain & Co. kept on a tight leash for his new main, reach around, squeeze.

Barack Obama’s path to the presidency included beating what had been one of the nation’s most powerful families. using race as a sword to attack anyone who disagreed with him

all better, now.

What…Self-absorbed Patches Kennedy wasn’t as qualified as Dr. Vigilante?

Cooooommmmmmee OOOooooooonnnnnnneee.

However, I would also like to point out the difference between a dynasty elected based demonstrated competence (like Jeb Bush would be) compared to appointing someone like Caroline Kennedy simply because she’s a Kennedy.

Republicans won’t have much standing to complain. While they have fewer dynasties and none that match the reach of the Kennedys, the Bushes will retire their second President in January and have begun talk of getting Jeb into the Senate. Preston would be proud of his lineage.

There’s a big difference, however. All the Republicans you mentioned were elected to office, while all the Democrats were or are seeking to be appointed. It’s hard to call the Republicans “dynasts” when they at least submit their choices to the will of the people. The Democrats, on the other hand, are looking like the wannabe hereditary nobles.

Democrats want to appoint someone who can fund a campaign rather than govern rationally.

The Democrats aren’t expecting her to govern rationally. They expert her to vote however Obama (or the DNC leaders after Obama) tell her to vote.

That is after the Democratic vision of govt.

Barack Obama’s path to the presidency included beating what had been one of the nation’s most powerful families.

Which family would that be McCain or Pallin?