The next SOPA • Hacker News Board

Re: The next SOPA

#171

Post by bambax » Sun, Jan 22, 2012, 10:53 AM UTC

TheCowboy wrote: post #164

bambax wrote: post #29

> we’re not addressing the real problem: the MPAA’s buying power in Congress. This is a campaign finance problem. This is delusional at best. I'm from France, where campaigns are paid for by public money. France: the country that brought you Hadopi and where SOPA-like laws have been in place for a long time. This has nothing to do with campaign finance.

What do you think is the source of the problem in France? Maybe the way money influences politics is more so a problem here. I do think it is a stretch to say it is completely irrelevant, because it seems clear that it isn't.

You're right. To clarify, in the US, the problem is partly related to campaign finance, yes, because this vehicle is available to lobbyists to influence politicians.

But my point is, if you remove this vehicle the problem doesn't go away, it just takes another form.

And in fact I think it's good that it takes the form of campaign finance, because at least it's visible: you can see who gives how much money to which man / party / cause.

And anyway, politicians don't care about "freedom"; they care about big companies, because they have dinner with CEOs; they care about "jobs" because they think that's what matters to their constituents. Solving campaign finance wouldn't change any of that.

Re: The next SOPA

#172

Post by daintynews » Sun, Jan 22, 2012, 1:20 PM UTC

I think it would be good if only registered voters can give campaign money to candidates. If they want to call it donations, then so be it. BUT only registered voters can give donations as well.

Re: The next SOPA

#173

Post by zaphar » Mon, Jan 23, 2012, 3:53 AM UTC

sounds wrote: post #108

zaphar wrote: post #105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In practical terms how would you go about go about educating enough people to make a change? I ask this because while you're statements may be logical and internally consistent it bypasses the entire practical side of this whole debate. As soon as you enter the reality of the political arena the OP's points become valid. It's a negotiation.

I probably am misunderstanding you (please clarify), because what I hear you saying is: "in the political arena there will always be corrupt politicians, and there will always be large media companies paying them to re-introduce SOPA." Yes, but it's easy enough to educate people about what's going on. Young people inherently understand the things I'd try to teach them -- but don't know what to do about it. Older peop…

Actually I wasn't saying anything so much as asking. Given our current political realities what practical ways would you go about changing it? I ask because I truly do not know what practical ways would have any chance of success short of political negotiation.