Princeton Study: Congress literally doesn't care what you think

[donnay]

Princeton Study: Congress literally doesn't care what you think

Professors Martin Gilens (Princeton University) and Benjamin I. Page (Northwestern University) looked at more than 20 years worth of data to answer a simple question: Does the government represent the people?

Their study took data from nearly 2000 public opinion surveys and compared it to the policies that ended up becoming law. In other words, they compared what the public wanted to what the government actually did. What they found was extremely unsettling: The opinions of 90% of Americans has essentially no impact at all.

This video gives a quick rundown of their findings — it all boils down to one simple graph:



Princeton University study: Public opinion has “near-zero” impact on U.S. law.

Gilens & Page found that the number of Americans for or against any idea has no impact on the likelihood that Congress will make it law.

“The preferences of the average American appear to have only a miniscule, near-zero, statistically non-significant impact upon public policy.”

One thing that does have an influence? Money. While the opinions of the bottom 90% of income earners in America have a “statistically non-significant impact,” Economic elites, business interests, and people who can afford lobbyists still carry major influence.

Continued...

[Origanalist]

I'm shocked, shocked I tell you.

[Cleaner44]

Great job of exposing the problem. Poor job of proposing a solution.

Make corruption illegal they say. Just outlaw corruption like drugs were outlawed and that will fix it. Not.

This is why we need more local government and less central government. I know that John McCain doesn't give a $#@! about my views and he doesn't care to hide it either.

At least my state government might actually listen to me.

[Ronin Truth]

If not required and they don't have to, then why should they? Just fire the criminal weaselly bastards.

[Brian4Liberty]

They fail to identify the problem of ignorant voters who are promised free stuff by candidates.

[Ronin Truth]

They fail to identify the problem of ignorant voters who are promised free stuff by candidates.

Whatever it takes to buy enough votes. Is this a great system or what?

[donnay]

One thing is definitely true is-- Follow the money. No money, no voice. It's sad really.

[ZENemy]

Why would the kings enforcers care for the opinion of peasants?

[Anti Federalist]

Why would the kings enforcers care for the opinion of peasants?

Bingo.

Now, move along, knaves.

[DFF]

More confirmation that the US is an oligarchy. No different than Russia. Or China.

[DamianTV]

Great job of exposing the problem. Poor job of proposing a solution.

Make corruption illegal they say. Just outlaw corruption like drugs were outlawed and that will fix it. Not.

This is why we need more local government and less central government. I know that John McCain doesn't give a $#@! about my views and he doesn't care to hide it either.

At least my state government might actually listen to me.

I think this wins the thread, excluding of course, the OP.

If we make anything illegal, including corruption, it only creates an Underground Market for it. Right now they can get funds and what not publicly. If corruption is made illegal, they do the same exact thing, and only use Shadow Corporations and deals we do not know about to buy off all the Politicians. And again, the Illusion of Choice remains.

[heavenlyboy34]

Great job of exposing the problem. Poor job of proposing a solution.

Make corruption illegal they say. Just outlaw corruption like drugs were outlawed and that will fix it. Not.

This is why we need more local government and less central government. I know that John McCain doesn't give a $#@! about my views and he doesn't care to hide it either.

At least my state government might actually listen to me.

I can all but guarantee you this is just wishful thinking. That tired cliche "you can't fight city hall" didn't become common knowledge just because it's catchy.

[heavenlyboy34]

More confirmation that the US is an oligarchy. No different than Russia. Or China.

+rep 'Murica is exceptional!

[Cleaner44]

I can all but guarantee you this is just wishful thinking. That tired cliche "you can't fight city hall" didn't become common knowledge just because it's catchy.

It is wishful thinking. I don't know if our Republic is a lost cause, but I do know it is worth fighting for. I also find it fun and interesting. Provoking John McCain to call people Wacko Birds™ is definitely worth fighting city hall for.

[heavenlyboy34]

It is wishful thinking. I don't know if our Republic is a lost cause, but I do know it is worth fighting for. I also find it fun and interesting. Provoking John McCain to call people Wacko Birds™ is definitely worth fighting city hall for.

Well, if you can fight on your own terms, a reasonable proposition. Try to play by the regime's rules and you will lose.

[GunnyFreedom]

That was my exact same experience in the General Assembly. Popular will meant literally NOTHING to nearly every legislator in office. In fact, in 2013 one Paul "Skip" Stam then Speaker Pro-Tem killed a medicinal cannabis bill because it was 'too popular,' (his own words even) he wanted to make everyone just shut up about it by killing the bill so that it could no longer be considered.

[GunnyFreedom]

I just watched the video itself. My experience says the video is completely accurate.

[heavenlyboy34]

nvm, dupe.

[Christopher A. Brown]

Princeton Study: Congress literally doesn't care what you think

Professors Martin Gilens (Princeton University) and Benjamin I. Page (Northwestern University) looked at more than 20 years worth of data to answer a simple question: Does the government represent the people?

Their study took data from nearly 2000 public opinion surveys and compared it to the policies that ended up becoming law. In other words, they compared what the public wanted to what the government actually did. What they found was extremely unsettling: The opinions of 90% of Americans has essentially no impact at all.

This video gives a quick rundown of their findings — it all boils down to one simple graph:



Princeton University study: Public opinion has “near-zero” impact on U.S. law.

Gilens & Page found that the number of Americans for or against any idea has no impact on the likelihood that Congress will make it law.

“The preferences of the average American appear to have only a miniscule, near-zero, statistically non-significant impact upon public policy.”

One thing that does have an influence? Money. While the opinions of the bottom 90% of income earners in America have a “statistically non-significant impact,” Economic elites, business interests, and people who can afford lobbyists still carry major influence.

Continued...

Yes, by talking with people and listening to their opinions of what government had done and was doing, I determined this myself 25 years ago.

There is an agenda of empire, and we do not have a role except as unwilling supporters of it. Eventually suffering greatly from it.

This why a lawful and peaceful revolution is required of us by our human integrity, if we have it still.

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthr...ful-revolution

Good find and post Donnay!

[Christopher A. Brown]

That was my exact same experience in the General Assembly.

OWS?

[GunnyFreedom]

OWS?

Are you asking me if I was in the Legislature building as a member of Occupy Wall Street?

[Christopher A. Brown]

Are you asking me if I was in the Legislature building as a member of Occupy Wall Street?

Yes.

[GunnyFreedom]

OWS?

Are you asking me if I was in the Legislature building as a member of Occupy Wall Street?

Yes.

lol -- Okay RonPaulForums, should I tell him what I was doing in the North Carolina Legislature building? What say ye?

[Christopher A. Brown]

lol -- Okay RonPaulForums, should I tell him what I was doing in the North Carolina Legislature building? What say ye?

Really?? WTF?

[GunnyFreedom]

Really?? WTF?

THEY all know what I was doing there. I prefer to represent the wishes of the Forums on this one. Maybe they think it would be funnier to watch you twisting in the wind. Maybe they think it would be funnier to tell you exactly what I was doing there. Myself I think both would be awesomely hilarious so I am minded to let the Forums decide whether to tell you what I was doing in the NCGA or not.

[CPUd]

THEY all know what I was doing there. I prefer to represent the wishes of the Forums on this one. Maybe they think it would be funnier to watch you twisting in the wind. Maybe they think it would be funnier to tell you exactly what I was doing there. Myself I think both would be awesomely hilarious so I am minded to let the Forums decide whether to tell you what I was doing in the NCGA or not.

I think you should just confirm or deny that you were in the NCGA building as a member of OWS.

[GunnyFreedom]

I think you should just confirm or deny that you were in the NCGA building as a member of OWS.

Makes sense. Good advice.

No, I was not in the legislature building as a member of OWS.

[Christopher A. Brown]

Makes sense. Good advice.

No, I was not in the legislature building as a member of OWS.

Okay, I have much better idea of the agenda here. I am dealing with a group, they are associated with OWS.

They have a background that accepts and integrates with the GA.

The group is socialist in nature.

The fact that there is little or no accountability is quite possibly unconscious.

All consistent with OWS which failed to support the constitution which provided the right to assembly used in protest in the first place.

Consistent with UNC's support of secrecy related to 9/11.

Consistent with no-plan-ronin and October2011.

[AngryCanadian]

Was this supposed to be a surprise?

[donnay]

Was this supposed to be a surprise?

For some people, yes.