One of the major obstacles to combating Global Warming at the governmental level in America is the large financial investment that the fossil fuel industry makes to politicians in return for tens of billions of dollars in government assistance every year (widely varied numbers depending on how one calculates the incentives and tax breaks and money for research and so on). There seems to me to be only one way to change the current corrupt money for control of politicians process, and that is to demand that all political donations be made anonymously, given to the government who then deposits it in the political party or candidates’ account in a way that hides the identity of the donor from the recipient. This way the donor still has their “speech” and yet cannot wield undue influence on the politician. Most likely many such “donations” will stop as the corrupt people making them will understand that they can simply claim to have given and keep their money. What do you think of this idea? Why would it not work? How do we get it done?
One of the major obstacles to combating Global Warming at the governmental level in America is the large financial investment that the fossil fuel industry makes to politicians in return for tens of billions of dollars in government assistance every year (widely varied numbers depending on how one calculates the incentives and tax breaks and money for research and so on). There seems to me to be only one way to change the current corrupt money for control of politicians process, and that is to demand that all political donations be made anonymously, given to the government who then deposits it in the political party or candidates’ account in a way that hides the identity of the donor from the recipient. This way the donor still has their “speech” and yet cannot wield undue influence on the politician. Most likely many such “donations” will stop as the corrupt people making them will understand that they can simply claim to have given and keep their money. What do you think of this idea? Why would it not work? How do we get it done?
First, I agree that a key to addressing global warming is to address the entrenched financial interests that have been opposing it. So you’re zooming in on at least one of the most important parts of it.
Your idea makes sense, at least at first glance. I don’t have a good sense for how politically feasible it is, but I’m afraid I’m skeptical. Any change to the structure of the political system that reduces large influences is likely to be fought by those influences. But I would not discourage you from looking into it further and giving it a try.
One of the major obstacles to combating Global Warming at the governmental level in America is the large financial investment that the fossil fuel industry makes to politicians in return for tens of billions of dollars in government assistance every year (widely varied numbers depending on how one calculates the incentives and tax breaks and money for research and so on). There seems to me to be only one way to change the current corrupt money for control of politicians process, and that is to demand that all political donations be made anonymously, given to the government who then deposits it in the political party or candidates’ account in a way that hides the identity of the donor from the recipient. This way the donor still has their “speech” and yet cannot wield undue influence on the politician. Most likely many such “donations” will stop as the corrupt people making them will understand that they can simply claim to have given and keep their money. What do you think of this idea? Why would it not work? How do we get it done?
First, I agree that a key to addressing global warming is to address the entrenched financial interests that have been opposing it. So you’re zooming in on at least one of the most important parts of it.
Your idea makes sense, at least at first glance. I don’t have a good sense for how politically feasible it is, but I’m afraid I’m skeptical. Any change to the structure of the political system that reduces large influences is likely to be fought by those influences. But I would not discourage you from looking into it further and giving it a try.