Bitcoin Forum

http://blip.tv/stratfor/the-united-states-and-the-money-laundering-process-portfolio-6297171

Why use Bitcoin when you can use the USD-based US banking system?

Stratfor is well known and respected for it's "strategic advising".  Best follow what they recommend.

It is amazing that people think Bitcoin is somehow more evil than dollars...

Nooooo, don't be silly, only foreign-owned US banks engage in international money laundering.
Just like how only foreign-owned oil companies are responsible when there's a spill.

Know what my prediction is?

You won't see any of the banks high on this list in serious trouble:
https://i.imgur.com/MjtW4.jpg

is that all it takes to buy a Senator?

It is not for sale, it is for hire.

Good point  :D I'm sure with a bit of crowdfunding we could start buying senators for the bitcoin cause...

It certainly works for Goldman:
http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2012/08/10/goldman-sachs-3/?iid=HP_LN

Isnt schumer the same senator that talked about silk road and bitcoin ?

I wonder which one of his "sponsors" got him to give that speech ?

Genius!  You just nailed the problem with bitcoin on the head.

Bitcoin need a lobby.

Someone needs to do a Bitcoin magazine article on this concept. Illicit activities will be the first thing governments try to use as a reason to sway public opinion to allow legislation to get passed to try to outlaw Bitcoin. 100 years ago, everybody used non-traceable, anonymous cash and try weren't all SR fans, pornographers, or criminals. Somehow people seem inclined to believe that Bitcoin is bad because even they could use it to launder money...but they ate quick to forget that laundering is a privilege given only to the wealthiest people in the current system.

Bitcoin PAC ?

I'm totally serious.

I pledge 5BTC for the lobby

Ditto.

Put you money where you mouth it.

These funds will used solely for fees  to advance the cause of bitcoin.

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let's say we were able to raise $600,000 which exceeds even Goldman's contribution.  the problem is that we couldn't offer Schurmer a corner office at Goldman after he retires nor the subsequent perks or salaries.  

there's a reason why the amounts are so relatively small; they're dwarfed by the millions they will make later as a lobbyist for GS and the banks.

Why would you give your money to a representative? If that's how you see a democracy, just make it easier for everyone and stop pretending.

You don't give your money to a representative. You give it to a lobbyist (who may be a former representative) and they plead your case to the representative.

I am obviously not familiar with the US lobbying system. Do representatives see any direct benefits from such money? Is the money discussed here different from the campaign donations?

If you have 20 minutes watch this video.

This is exactly how it works.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7387331n

He was one of the best.

You can have the arm  ;)

Seriously though, Crowd funding a Senator is a good idea, however, in order to get anything done we need to have the entire congress. Think of all of the 'hired' senators each bank has. One isn't going to make a difference.

Lobbyists are an extension of of a congressman's staff.  You think they read those 1000 page bills.  Well they don't.  There staff reads some of them and the Lobbyist read the rest then explain to them what is in it and why they should vote for it.  I think at the very least we need a lobbyist to explain to them the concept of bitcoin and why it is so important.

Why buy/rent a senator when you can get a president instead:
 http://demonocracy.info/infographics/usa/political_spending/2012_elections.html