Horrigan writes about a stop made by Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama to St. Louis...a stop in which he purposely avoided media and crowds so he could get down to the business of raising funds:
I went nuts. A guy's running for president, and the campaign doesn't want to attract the public or the press? God forbid people should come out and see the candidate for themselves or that reporters should be able to talk to him and tell readers what he says. We wouldn't want all those uninvited and unwashed peons crowding around him; they might bump the arm of an important person as he was writing a check.
Unfortunately, more and more, that is what political campaigning is all about.
This IS what campaigning is all about. Nothing else.
ReplyDeleteI learned that first hand this past weekend here in Branson.
There was a "private showing" of a candidate, you could get in to see for $50. per person. I don't give one hoot in hell who it is, if you eliminate the average guy on the street, and the average worker from a campaign, then you run the real risk of a big defeat. The monied people only have one vote, the average guy on the street only has one vote, us poor guys on the street have one vote. If you don't have $50. don't come in!
Really makes you want to be a part of the political process doesn't it.
Drust
Both parties are the party of the rich. Neither really represents the normal man. It is unfortunate that they only can think about getting elected or re-elected and not have to serve their country.
ReplyDeleteLarry, you are exactly right...100%
ReplyDeleteThey only come around when they need money.
Drust
Public Campaign financing is the only way to make officeholders responsible to the public instead of large contributors. It would cost us far less in the long run.
ReplyDelete