Thursday, August 13, 2009

Trust In Our Government

This is one of the best talks on the subject of trust in our government that I've ever found.

Lawrence Lessig is a professor of law at Harvard and is well known in copyright circles for his insights and intelligent decomposition of the corporate interests during the various legal scuffles involving copyright. Anything more I say here would just be rehash of his Wiki article or blog, though, so I'll leave it to you to check on the link if you're interested...I'll sum it up by saying that despite the topic of the legalities involved in copyright, he is one of those rare speakers that effectively communicates to his audience and I actually don't mind learning from him.

Check out that speech and see if you agree. From the summary at the site:
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Only 9 percent of the electorate thinks the U.S. Congress is doing a good job. Lawrence Lessig talks about the damage that arises from politicians focusing on raising funds to get themselves reelected. This constant attention to making money feeds the Washington 'economy of influence'. The morally destitute behavior, foretold by Thomas Jefferson in The Founders' Constitution, undermines the trust of the electorate in the institution of the government.

The Congress have been known for feathering their own nests, voting themselves back into power, developing the sixth sense to get re-elected into tenure, since the 1770s. Barack Obama may fix the presidency in one fell swoop, but the core of the problem is not in the presidency. It is in the loss of trust. People have lost trust in the government because the integrity of politicians is compromised by bribery from influential lobbyists.
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Again. Download the mp3 or listen right from the website. Check it out and see what you think...feel free to leave comments here about it if you'd like. You just may be glad you did, or at least have something to think about. The talk was less than 15 minutes...

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