20 years of data reveals that Congress doesn't care what we think.

[Triana]

For the last few years, I've had this sense that everything I learned as a kid about how America's government works is completely wrong. But I had no idea how bad things actually were until I saw one simple graph.



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

This video gives a quick rundown of their findings and explains what's going on in the simple graph above:

Things start out bleak, but stick with it — it's not all depressing.

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

THE REST:

http://www.upworthy.com/20-years-of-data-reveals-that-congress-doesnt-care-what-you-think?g=2&c=upw1

[world wide wally]

1. Yeah, I noticed

[sabrina 1]

2. Two examples of how little they care:

1) 90% of the American people want their food labeled.

When an attempt was made, by Bernie Sanders for one, to make that a legal requirement, Congress slapped it down regardless of the loudly stated will of the people. Now the states are planning to do it themselves, not all, but many. So now we have a bill called the Dark Act, ready to go to Congress that would give the Federal Govt the right to undermine those states. Monsanto loves this bill and it will probably pass.

2) A vast majority of the people oppose the TPP. They want transparency in their government. Protests, coalitions of organizations, individuals, all have let their so-called Reps know that they do not want this bill Fast Tracked.

The Senate voted to Fast Track the bill.

This country is ruled by Corporations who certainly do not care what they people want. The write our laws, buy our candidates, and they get what they want.

I don't know when we lost the power exactly, but the people no longer matter, Corporations will put whoever they choose in power.

Unless the people finally say 'Enough'!

[flobee1]

4. it's gotten harder to do that also

Do you think the ceos of these companies actually live in america? He'll no, they take their private jet and fly to their home in Monaco or the bahamas.

[Enthusiast]

5. Oh, yeah.

[flobee1]

6. and it's going to take more

Than just disagreeing with the 1% to change things. They don't care. They despise the rest of us. I think what these corporations are doing are hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate!

they think our anger is amusing.
the only way things will change it to make it VERY un-funny......

Some folks may not want to hear it, but they could care less that you are angry. THEY DON'T CARE! They have their money, and that makes them smarter than you.

[99Forever]

7. Actually, the graph is on the optomistic side, if you ask me.

Considering the current betrayal happening right before our eyes.

The fucking backstabbers don't even bother to hide their traitorous acts anymore.

[trof]

8. KNR