Mother’s Milk of Politics
There should be no confusion about the disgraceful decision by the Black-Robed Nine that will allow corporations and unions, among other groups, to invest billions of dollars to elect the federal candidates who will further their interests. The majority’s scandalous justification was that corporations et al were entitled to free speech. What an ironic misconstruction that the right of free speech means all the speech money can buy.
The decision went in exactly the opposite direction from where we need to go if we want honest elections. We must level the proverbial playing field at the bottom of the financial ladder, not at the top as the court would have it in their shameful let-them-eat-cake decision.
Because it is not only corporations that can turn elections, but individuals and their supporters are playing the same game every day. The Democratic Senate Campaign Committee poured over a million dollars into Martha Coakley’s disastrous campaign, proving that money may be the mother’s milk of politics, but it ain’t always enough.
That doesn’t stop people from trying. A Southern California business man just poured another $150,000 into his primary campaign for the House. Neither the fact nor the amount raises an eyebrow these days.
The problem is that far more qualified people lack the financial resources to finance a campaign. People of moderate means are blown out of a race by grossly unqualified wannbes with large war chests.
And once someone is elected to Congress, they are virtually guaranteed the financial support by special interests ,whose nests they feather, to return again and again. More than 94% of Congressmen who run for re-election are sent back, and mainly because they have the money to retain their seat.
That’s why we’re in the mess we’re in today. Campaign reform is essential to getting our country back on track. Unfortunately those who would promulgate reform have been bought and paid for and are happy with the status quo.
©2010 SetonnoteS
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