What is Digg?101 Comments
- cg4et, on 02/20/2008, -1/+38This is almost too good to be true. This is a guy who would bring some truly transformative ideas to Washington.
- mochaman, on 02/20/2008, -1/+27I'm not a "progressive" but I'm all for changing the corruption that is so pervasive Washington. So I'm in with $50 for Lessig.
- fiveness, on 02/20/2008, -3/+26Support. Support. Support. I only wish I lived in the 12th district. Lessig (and a few notable others) give me hope. If this is the future of progressivism, I'm all in.
- seanherman, on 02/20/2008, -1/+19Agreed. Lessig's heroic efforts championing Creative Commons could be just the tip of the iceberg. What we need most of all in Washington is more bottom up, people powered, grassroots governance. When the people control their government, when government is truly transparent, when ethics and principles are the central issues in Washington, Change becomes more than just a pleasant whimsy. With candidates like Lawrence Lessig, Change has a real chance of becoming a reality.
Practically speaking, Lessig has been behind Obama all along. If Obama continues to win elections, and the Democratic nomination has concluded (this depends on Clinton losing in OH, TX, or PA), it seems almost certain Lessig would have a very persuasive surrogate to join him on the campaign trail for the summer, if he eventually decides to run.
Also, some general information about the open seat from wikipedia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CA-12 )
"The seat is currently vacant for the 110th United States Congress with the death of Democrat Tom Lantos on February 11, 2008. A special election will be held June 3, 2008 to determine Lantos's replacement." - luigi, on 02/20/2008, -9/+26Ron Paul's movement is about to get schooled. Chip in 10 bucks and let's get him in the race:
http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/18909 - rabidmonkey1, on 02/20/2008, -7/+21On the contrary, I think Ron Paul would very much appreciate Lessig's efforts and join with him. Both are great guys and great thinkers.
- drlha, on 02/20/2008, -0/+9Its not a lack of knowledge that makes Congress pass laws that favor the RIAA, its is simply that RIAA bought and paid for those laws to be written. If this can be stopped the Government can again be "For the People".
- kazamx, on 02/20/2008, -0/+9Please let this hit front page. The problem with the US at the moment (well one of the problems) is the people in charge don't understand technology. Do we all remember the congressman going on about how the internet is a series of tubes? Its this lack of knowledge that lets the RIAA and others easily lie and get bad laws passed (and all the money they hand out).
Getting someone like Mr Lessig in a position of power won't change things a huge amount. but at least there will be a voice that understands and speaks the truth. - 7goats, on 02/20/2008, -0/+9The country would be a better place with him in Congress. Can we get more smart people in government? People who care about ideas. Hell, I'd settle for people who have ideas.
- cholten99, on 02/20/2008, -0/+8Is it the right thing for him to do? I don't know but, hell, let's certainly get it on the table!
- kazamx, on 02/20/2008, -11/+19In fact I believe that many of the Ron Paul supporters would support Mr Lessig. On the whole the Ron Paul voters aren't all behind all his policies, what they want is change. Not the Obama style change, where everything stays the same but he says its changed, but REAL change.
While Ron Paul and Mr Lessig may have very different views on where we should be going, they agree its NOT where we are heading now.
If you want change, then we all know that just like Ron Paul, he really will do everything he can to make a difference for us all. - cuzican, on 02/20/2008, -3/+11I dropped $100 because I believe..
- bwardrop, on 02/20/2008, -0/+8He's been around a long time, written several books and played a large part in shaping copyright issues on the net. If you want to know what he's about, just do a little research.
- feenxfire, on 02/20/2008, -0/+7Hmm. It's about time we had a government commensurate to the digital age. As Lessig's friend Obama keeps saying, we can't leave it to "old folks" anymore.
- davidzet, on 02/20/2008, -1/+8His platform (from the video statement of principles):
1) no PAC/corporate $$
2) End earmarks
3) Public funding for campaigns
He promises to resign in two terms IF (my recollection) he's not making progress on these points. See also http://change-congress.org/ -- not launched yet.. - bwardrop, on 02/20/2008, -0/+5Never given a cent to a politician, but I just gave based on his name and who he is. For his work against MSFT back when it mattered, and his amazing and creative work on the issues of our age. For his intellect alone I'd vote for him. Add an inspired creative thinker that cares about the world around him and I can't help but get behind him. I only hope he doesn't get eaten alive by the machine. Also, even if you don't agree with all he stands for, if he got in at least you might have someone that understands technology that could advise people on the hill and maybe chair a committee or two.
- Brian48216, on 02/20/2008, -0/+5I guess long story short he's the anti-Ted Stevens (R-Alaska)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Lessig - harrisbradley, on 02/20/2008, -1/+6I never thought I'd say this (because I'm a Cal Bears fan) but, GO CARDINAL!!!
- ryanwarnersteel, on 02/20/2008, -1/+6This is what we need. A progressive politician taking name and busting heads, not pussyfooting around issues like too many liberals do now. Someone that isn't worried about re-election so he can take a stand and say "this is ***** up, the way government works is ***** up, W is the most ***** up president in history" and so on, but more eloquently.
- sfrench, on 02/20/2008, -0/+4Good place to start:
http://lessig.org/info/bio/
http://lessig.org/blog/ - seanherman, on 02/20/2008, -0/+4are you serious? He launched it yesterday, what do you expect? No politician is his right mind would launch their campaign with every proposal already posted. That would give the candidate little to speak about over the course of the campaign, and make it neigh impossible to grab that most valuable of all political assets: free press coverage.
- nonsequitor, on 02/20/2008, -0/+4Then we better tighten it for him.
- davidzet, on 02/20/2008, -0/+4His pledge (http://change-congress.org/ -- not launched yet..) can be adopted elsewhere -- get your congressional rep on board...
- j0ew00ds, on 02/20/2008, -0/+4He says he's a professor of Constitutional law...
- inactive, on 02/20/2008, -1/+5lawrence lessig is brilliant and clear minded - listen to his tone of voice - he is not selling himself he is transmitting a message - he is acutely accurate - for those who don't know lawrence lessig is a top if not the top cyber lawyer - his academic and professional resume is stunning - to have someone like him running for president (maybe someday) would be a miracle for the usa
- bigp3rm, on 02/20/2008, -0/+4Anyone have a text break down of his views?
- DanShapiro, on 02/20/2008, -0/+4I do
- BESTenemy, on 02/20/2008, -5/+9Ron Paul does not get funding from special interests group. He has a clean voting record and a proven dedication to rid the government of corruption through reduction of its size and elimination of agencies that influence its failing economic policies. He's for elimination of entitlement programs. His words are worthy of his deeds.
- chocolatetacos, on 02/20/2008, -0/+4You're missing the point. Obama is the beginning, and now Lessig will just be the beginning of a sea change in Congress. If Lessig wins this seat, this movement can gain steam and turn over, say 5 seats in 2010, then 50 seats in 2012, we'll be on our way to some real solutions that don't involve a conflict of interest.
Then again, this is all based on one 5-min video. There's hope, people. - incongruity, on 02/20/2008, -0/+3Well, not much I can do about that, now is there?
- norman619, on 02/20/2008, -0/+3I like this guy a lot. His head and heart are in the right place. I've watched him try like crazy to change pork spending. He hasn't gotten very far. Why? Because congress doesn't care what he or the people think. Try to remember this is the same congress which went to court to fight AGAINST term limits after the people actually voted for them. I'm behind him 100% if he can get ANY change implemented but I don't have much faith that he will. Even if he gets into congress he alone can not change anything when it's one honest person up against a room full of self serving scum (politicians).
- nonsequitor, on 02/20/2008, -2/+5Why do you think Obama's promises are empty? Obama seems genuine to me, as do McCain and Paul. If Obama is lying, he's much better at it than Bush.
- feckineejit, on 02/20/2008, -0/+3unfortunately you can only get the attention of the ADHD people by making a neat video - HEY LOOK A BUTTERFLY!!!
- sfrench, on 02/20/2008, -0/+3Amazingly, I do live in the 12th. Finally a candidate that may accurately represent my views in Washington!
- feckineejit, on 02/20/2008, -1/+4End PAC contributions, stop earmarks, publicly fund campaigns, makes you sound like a bleeding heart liberal? it's only 'extremely difficult' to communicate the ideas because the people in power do not wish to change the status quo. They would rather corporations still run everything and own all the politicians in Washington. Makes me a liberal to agree? If I remember correctly the tenets of the REPUBLICAN beliefs system was smaller government, less taxes and less government involvement in our everyday lives.
- mudgod, on 02/20/2008, -0/+3Despite being awarded legal status, corporations are NOT people. The ideal would be to eliminate that law to begin with. Additionally one can assemble and one can petition without 'paying' anything into the coffers. Or is it necessary for palms to be greased for one to write a letter or place a call?
- slabdigger, on 02/25/2008, -0/+3what's the matter comrade? are you afraid we will do away with your choices for cable companies, cell phone companies and internet service providers?
- thecoolestguy, on 02/23/2008, -0/+2Lawrence Lessig is working to perpetuate what is destroying America:
Washington's Dirty Little Secret:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KGpY2hw7ao8
"How soon we forget history... Government is not reason. Government is not eloquence. It is force. And, like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." -George Washington
Government is not the institution that is supposed to bring about "change" in society. Government is only supposed to be there to provide an objective and effective court system to provide JUSTICE, in order to protect people's lives and liberty, and the change is supposed to come from other facets of society, like for example the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, voluntary community programs to revitalize neighborhoods, etc.
Government is force, and should only be used to reign in tyrannical force against the citizens. - gwalms, on 02/20/2008, -0/+2Hes not even running yet, he JUST announced he is considering the idea, jeez.
- DanShapiro, on 02/21/2008, -0/+2No, I mean he's dead. He's literally dead.
- DanShapiro, on 02/21/2008, -0/+2Uh, pick up the paper dude. Tom Lantos is my congressman too, and he isn't so much bad as he is...dead.
- SpykerSpeed, on 02/21/2008, -0/+2It makes you sound like a liberal to say that you can stop politicians from being influenced by money simply by getting them to accept some retarded "change" contract. That's idealistic beyond anything Marx could have come up with.
- oldhick, on 02/20/2008, -0/+2Damn it! Good catch. ;)
- mcjogurt, on 02/20/2008, -0/+2he'll have tough competition going against jackie speier:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Speier
http://www.jackieforcongress.com/ - DanShapiro, on 02/21/2008, -0/+1Exactly, but I'm actually considering voting for this guy, and I'm definitely not voting for him if he's not for a single payer healthcare system. I just want to know the facts before I cast my ballot, and his site doesn't give us his basic views.
- smitty1e, on 02/20/2008, -0/+1If by liberal, you mean "classical liberal", I can agree.
Excessively concentrated power is the chief ill of the US government, on the left or right.
Power dispersal is the only reliable protection from the elite few who think they know better than you. - thecoolestguy, on 02/23/2008, -0/+1How could that guy sit there and lie so blatantly!? I don't understand.
He KNOWS that it's against the Constitution for the federal government to even have an FDA. He KNOWS it's against the Constitution for the federal government to enact any regulations to curb CO2 emissions.
He must KNOW that America is facing total bankruptcy due to health care and social security entitlements (according to the Comptroller General of the United States), yet he supports Obama and Hillary who want to perpetuate entitlement programs.
I don't understand how he can sit there and deliberately lie to people. - thecoolestguy, on 02/23/2008, -0/+1There's nothing progressive about bankrupting America with tyrannical taxation to fund socialist programs.
- coit, on 02/20/2008, -0/+1I'm waiting to see what his new CC movement is all about.
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