- Can anything be done about the money spent on political campaigns?
OpenSecrets.org recently reported $3.67B was spent on the 2014 Mid-Term Elections, another record. The GOP spent $1.75 billion, and the Democrats spent $1.64 billion. No matter how you try to rationalize it, this is an obscene amount of money and foreshadows what will be spent in the 2016 election.
This tells us a few things. First, the money reinvigorates an irresponsible press. Instead of it going to such things as medical research, fixing our infrastructure, or helping the needy, we're going to give it all to the morons in the media, thereby making them stronger and more influential (and misleading). Second, it means you cannot possibly win a major race, such as the presidency, without at least $1B, probably more. This promotes the influence of the rich, the 1% the Democrats complain about. Third, and most importantly, it tells us about the sheeple who vote.
It occurred to me this election cycle we have traded votes for advertising. It is no longer a matter of the voter taking the time to study the issues and making an intelligent decision. Instead, people prefer listening to the distorted rhetoric of the media and be herded accordingly. Such tactics are dangerous in a democratically elected Republic. It means money supersedes human intelligence.
This is why I have long been an advocate of voter certification. To my way of thinking, people should not be allowed to vote unless they can pass a basic civics test, and can prove they are upstanding citizens, meaning they can prove their citizenship and haven't committed any felonious crime.
I would also like to see some campaign reform whereby for every two dollars collected as a political contribution, one dollar must go into a special fund used to support medical research, fixing our infrastructure, or helping the needy. This kills two birds with one stone; It does some good by contributing to some worthy causes while diminishing the power of the media. That's called, a "Win-Win" scenario.
This, of course, will never happen as no politician has the moral fortitude to implement such a policy since they would perceive it as a threat to their reelection. Nor do I suspect the media will be supportive advocates. I suspect we'll have to be content knowing whoever has the largest purse strings will win the next election.
Ah well, I can dream can't I?
Keep the Faith!
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Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com
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Copyright © 2014 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.
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