[jish]

> "it's not a republican/democratic split."

The vote count sure looked like it to me.

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/115-2017/h202#admin_p...

Yea 215 (Republican 215, Democrat 0) Nay 205 (Republican 15, Democrat 190)

[pdeuchler]

Telecoms give about 6% more to Democrats than Republicans[0] (and more than 20% more in 2010, in fact they've received just as much funding or more than republicans ever since Obama was elected). Voting against this bill because of some personal stand seems like a weird time to suddenly find a moral compass. The Democrats didn't vote yes because they didn't have to, so they get a chance to grandstand and rack up brownie points with their base while their bosses still get what they want. It's a win/win for everyone!

On actually contentious issues, like CISPA and the like, the votes split almost exactly down donation lines as opposed to party lines.

Regardless, even if the split is supposedly true what do you think is the real problem? The current republican gang or the influence and power the rich wield? Even if you replaced every single politician you hated with the wave of a magic wand the powers that be would still find ways to influence the new group.

We should tackle the systemic problems first as a whole nation, then hopefully the issue of removing those that wish themselves our master will be much easier.

[0] https://www.opensecrets.org/industries/totals.php?cycle=2016...