I wish we could talk sanely about the Clintons and their long history

[procon]

12. First, change the system.

You can't just single out one politician when the whole US political system is corrupt to the core because we -- yes, all of us! -- have let politicians make a career trolling for big money. It's been pay to play for over half a century, growing steadily more egregious, more openly insidious and blatantly obvious. By any other name it's bribery, and in days gone by a robust press would be headlining stories on political graft, corruption and the quid pro quo of our dirty 'democracy' where nothing happens without money to grease the wheels of the legislative process up front.

Set aside the scarce few who aren't in the game, they're up against a system that run like a mafia business with a well established old guard who work tirelessly to vigorously protect the status quo... and their handsome income. Both in and out of politics, politicians make their fortunes in exchange for keeping the river of corporate cash flowing so have no illusions that this shady enterprize can be changed from the inside.

If Clinton is more proficient in reaping the benefits of her celebrity status, fame, fortune, cunning and ingenuity by successfully exploiting our legally corrupt system with great finesse, is that a stroke of political genius or a shortcoming?

Every election we gripe about the frontrunner's vast war chest if our chosen candidate is broke and trailing, we complain about the obscene sums of money gathered and spent by the top tier candidates, we wail about the Citizens United decision and roll our eyes when billionaires are buying their own pet presidential candidates.

Yet nothing changes. A serious complaint can't be laid a only at Clinton's feet is the true goal is to change our political system. That will have to come from the outside, from an organized, bipartisan, grassroots movement that gains enough public clout to finally compel or replace the entrenched politicians who keep the corruption humming along year after year.