OKAY, DESPITE THE FACT that I know there are two subjects to avoid in social situations, I'm going to break that rule. Well, I'm not actually going to break it. I'm just going to bend it a little, if you don't mind.
My intention is not to incite a heated debate. One of the things that really saddens me is when people go off on a political us vs. them tirade. They'll bash members of the right and set themselves on the do-no-wrong left, or visa versa. I hate the divisiveness of it all and I'm saddened when people spout their opinions in a self-righteous way, like they know everything and the opposition consists of a bunch of bumbling idiots.
I wish we could stop the bickering and find common ground.
All of that, however was not the point of this post.
Tonight on the news, it was reported that for the month of May, the Obama campaign raised 5 million dollars. The Romney campaign raised 4 million. Between them, the funds for one month: 9 million dollars. Nine freaking million dollars! And this is just one month's worth of contributions.
Don't you think it's just a little sad (and terribly tragic) that this kind of money is allocated to puff up and groom two talking heads who just tell us what we want to hear with no way of actually keeping the promises they so liberally dish out from the stage?
It seems to me those funds would be much better spent say, fixing a school building somewhere, or helping wounded veterans or filling food pantries. Maybe even paying back some of the people scammed by Bernie Madoff, for crying out loud.
I know I sound naive. People (corporations) contribute money to the politician they believe will look out for their interests. And basically, the candidate with the most votes (money) wins.
How sad is that? Your thoughts?
Totally sad. I read in the news that the Republicans spent $60 million in Wisconsin. All that money could have solved all those pension problems and more. Sad.
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more...it is simply crazy and SCREWED up, so so seriously wrong. And they just don't even get it!
ReplyDeleteMy dear Grace, this is an on going conversation in our home around the evening news at dinner time.....it borders on tragic if you ask me. OH and let's run a starving kid/homeless person/sick uninsured vet...so forth and so on, segment right before or after this......Lord help us all!
ReplyDeleteI used to follow the presedential elections very closely...and I may catch hell for this, but I don't even want to vote this year. I'm just totally grossed out by all of it. I have family with NO health insurance who could desperately use money just to see a Doctor, and these fools are spending money like it's water...it's sickening.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Grace.
ReplyDeleteFlowerLady
it is so terribly sad and irritating.
ReplyDeleteI agree--I hate to see all that money go to politics. With all the real problems in the world, as you say, the money could be put to better use. I don't know when it will ever stop, though. It looks like more and more money is spent, and apparently the political parties are getting results they like because they keep doing it. That is sad.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for a major overhaul of our campaigning systems. All our current system allow is for those few who have access to large sums of money, prop up a figure through that cash to support the money holders agendas. It is not representative of everyday people or our needs.
ReplyDeleteI could not agree with you more..how sad is that? The campaigning system is not recruiting the best candidate..all those funds used for bickering and hurting our ears and clogging the airwaves...Good to see you!
ReplyDeleteWhy people aren't out on the streets protesting this spending ... With all this talk of Reducing the Deficit and spending cuts ...
ReplyDeleteThis is a symptom of our culture....the TV, movies etc we are barraged with all support this culture...money is most important and hateful behavior is rewarded...it is very sad.
ReplyDeleteOh, Grace! I had to go and get my husband so he could read your post because this is an ongoing conversation around our dinner table and during and after the news programs we watch. I should say here that a great deal of political news is subject to the mute button on the remote. The bottom line here is: What has happened to our society and our politics that money has become more important than the needs of our fellow human beings? Yes, this sad and tragic, and I applaud you for breaking . . . oh, I mean bending the rules! (Applause heard in the background.)
ReplyDeletethe spending is no good butI am not sure of the answer. If someone ran and had all donated money go to, say, 3 specific well-run, untarnished charities such as Habitat, one that feeds people and one that educates people, we all think we would vote for that person, but what special interest would give him/her contributions. Many would say, "nice guy but probably flakey." I really wish someone had the gumption to try it as well as the brains to do the job. I think that someone doing it first would get other candidates competing to appear the most caring. I would run, but then when would I write - or read?
ReplyDeletenelie
I agree with you 100% on everything you said. I already believed the same as you about the bickering, but I have to admit, I hadnt thought about all those campaign funds. And you know if the politicians really did those good things with the funds, they wouldnt need to "campaign" to win. Great Article!!
ReplyDeleteCampaign finance reform: limits on spending, or even creation of publicly financed elections. It would level the playing field and shorten elections.
ReplyDelete