Former president Jimmy Carter says he would not be able to run for president today because the U.S. political system has warped into an 'oligarchy' which requires huge financial wealth.
In a new interview, the 91-year-old said the need for massive financial backing excluded candidates and warned against the 'damaged' ethical standards of American politics.
During an interview with Oprah for her upcoming episode of SuperSoul Sunday, he was asked if could become president today.
He replied: 'Absolutely not. There's no way now for you to get a Democratic or Republican nomination without being able to raise $200 or $300million or more.
'I would not be inclined to do that, and I would not be capable of doing it.'
'We've become now an oligarchy instead of a democracy, and I think that's been the worst damage to the basic moral and ethical standards to the American political system that I've ever seen in my life.'
Well...I think that pretty much sums it up.
I couldn't agree more with President Carter! The 2016 election is the perfect time for the 99% to be like the underdogs in the movies that unite to successfully topple the evil overlords so we can restore peace and justice in the world!
ReplyDeleteAll it takes is us voting en masse and electing more democrats and independents into office so the rules that President Obama put into place can be fully implemented.
We have always had the power to balance the scales. Now is the time to save ourselves...more than ever!
Right on Superfan!
DeleteThere are more of us than them, we just need to make an effort and if not now, then when??
Yup -- how to get dozing Americans off the couch of entertainment and wake up to what is happening? Your movie analogy is great idea!
DeletePresident Bernie Sanders.
DeleteSo true and so sad.
ReplyDeleteHad we begun following Carter's energy recommendations in the late 70's, we would not be in half the trouble we are in today.
ReplyDeleteHe was too nice to be a successful politician--sadly, for the rest of us.
President Carter had us on the right track for a while.
DeleteHe was a man of vision and I love him.
Exactly.
DeleteAnd we all know who is responsible for reversing that path and putting us where we are now, don't we?
It started with Reagan ditching very common sense rules of the 1933 Banking Act, put in place to avoid another Great Depression...um like 2008/9 collapse. Since Reagan Rethuglicans have steadily been eating away at any protections for your savings (forcing banks to keep your $ separate from their gambling habit), and making legislative 'adjustments' Wall Street can gamble with far more of your $ (and earn huge commissions in the mean time). When they wipe out 1/2 your 401K overnight they walk away with million $ settlements and no jail time. They've become the masters of 'direct/misdirect. Their base is insanely easy to manipulate.. This time while they're keeping everyone occupied with the Planned Parenthood horseshit smokescreen people should consider what is going on behind the scenes. If any of you have savings in the stock market please read this: http://americannewsx.com/politics/its-not-about-abortion-its-about-your-money/ We are frugal not-even middle class, and I run the $ in this household--our market exposure is extremely limited and in dividend paying instruments. Otherwise loaded up on good real estate buys with income potential instead--real estate holds its value. Rethuglicans will be happy to tank the markets (and your savings) by risking the 'full faith & credit" of the United States on Obama's 'watch' next week--right before an election year.
ReplyDelete~Canuck~
And P.S..... Ted Cruz has positioned himself to attempt to extract the maximum benefit out of the knuckle dragging base from yet another one of his engineered Fed gov't shutdowns.
Delete~Canuck~
Credit Unions.
DeleteDon't use banks.
Carter was not "nice." Good, but not nice. You testify to the deep success of the Rebub smear machine. I insist the 39th President was done in by the instant gratification society (as was, nearly, our current president) when the horrific mess inherited wasn't set right overnight.
ReplyDeleteThe release of our hostages in Iran was hijacked
ReplyDeleteJimmy is right. But we have been an Oligarchy for decades. When the ultra rich run the country, the 99% will have everything taken from them.
ReplyDeleteWhen we pit the Oligarchs against a Socialist, who will win?
Not enough people have been inconvenienced yet to really give a shit.
ReplyDeleteI guess when you're 91 and battling cancer, you don't waste time lying and sugarcoating. My hunch, from now till the end, Carter's every word is going to be worth taking to heart.
ReplyDelete"Depend upon it, Sir: When a man is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully," as Samuel Johnson put it.
DeleteDuh. Been that way for years.
ReplyDeleteUnder Republicans we are fast moving to a Fascist State.
All with a crust of Theocracy, of course.