Referring to "Sicko," how much healthcare money to candidates is too much?

[wyldwolf]

[gatorboy]

1. If you're referring to lobbyists who are using their influence to botch national health.

Any number is too much.

[supernova]

3. Totally agree

:thumbsup:

I don't think corporations, in general, should be in the lobbying business. I think individuals can, but not businesses.

[jtrockville]

5. Follow the money

So many things that are broken in America can be attributed to the greed of our leaders.

[supernova]

8. What's even worse

are the industry associations on K street. Huge GROUPS of BUSINESSES for practically any industry you can name.

[jtrockville]

10. We are truly a government of/by/for the corporations. :(

[BrokenBeyondRepair]

14. ..and our slavelike tolerance of that greed

[glowing]

2. If they got any money, would they spend so much time denying the

rest of us reliable, affordable healthcare?

[napi21]

4. I don't care how much $$ a candidate accepts from ANY group!

Because our elections can't be won without LOTS of money, I don't really care who give what amount! I care about even an appearance of a quid pro quo for ANY MONEY! If someone gives $25 to a campaign and gets a special break for it, THAT was too much! If someone else give $250,000 and it only helops the candidate they would like elected to accomplish that, I don't care about that!

[DangerDave921]

6. Lobbying

Lobbying is one issue that needs to be higher up on the radar. Not just healthcare but all lobbying. There are more than 30,000 registered lobbyists in D.C. And their job? Get access to our elected officials to convince them to pass laws favorable to their companies. Is it bribery? Maybe doesn't go that far in all instances, but it sure as hell is buying influence. And in some cases it is outright quid pro quo.

I know an attorney who recently became a lobbyist for Verizon. His job consists of going to meetings, lunches, dinners, and weekend retreats with politicians and their staff. It is all about access and money -- pure and simple. And the Pols won't address the problem because it's taking moeny out of their re-election war chest. Makes me sick.

The average citizen has ZERO chance of convincing his or her Senator to do anything that might benefit the public. But XYZ Corp can dump $100,000 on a Senator and get his ear mighty quick.

[cassiepriam]

7. anything more than one red cent. nt

[antigop]

9. SICKOs for sale

http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/sickos-for-sale/candidates/

[welshTerrier2]

11. support only candidates fighting for publically financed campaigns

What's the job of those in charge of for profit health insurance and health care companies? To make money. Maybe it shouldn't be that way but it is. Maybe they should see themselves as patriots first and businessmen second. They don't.

So, that's what we have to work with. And when these money-makers decide to invest in the political process, what is their motivation? Are they trying to select a candidate who will do right by the American people or are they trying to invest in a candidate who will do right by their stockholders? I think the answer is pretty obvious.

And make no mistake about, they are not "making a contribution"; they're investing with the hope of substantial returns.

Perhaps they're fools or perhaps they know which candidates will likely yield the best return on the dollar for those they represent. They would not spend their money unless that money was buying them something.

When we look at candidates calling for single-payer, they are not the darlings of the health care lobby. It's pretty clear who is.

We cannot allow the quid pro quo campaign contribution system to continue. It is plain and simple bribery. If we want a government of the people, by the people and for the people, we have to only allow campaign contributions or the financing of campaigns to come from the people and not from commercial ventures. Allowing the system we have today allows the buying of our government by those dedicated to profits and not to a better life for all Americans.

They get what they pay for and we get the short end of the stick.

The first remedy we should implement is the public financing of campaigns.

[malikstein]

12. How much is a whore worth?

[tkmorris]

13. Any

The thought that ANY candidate takes money from ANYONE who makes a profit off of anyone's poor health is troubling to me. I want candidates to represent us, the consumers, not those who would deny us care.