Sometimes you do get what you pay for, but sometimes you don’t. Money has become the stuff elections are made of, but in terms of principled or competent representation, America is definitely being shortchanged.
The amount of money being spent now on political elections is obscene. The 2008 Presidential office alone raised over 1.5 billion in contributions, 72 percent of which came from business interests. For all elections, the estimated amount spent was in excess of 5.5 billion. The midterm races now in full swing are expected to spend more than 3.7 billion dollars. That’s a lot of influence peddling with tons of unaccounted cash transferring going on. Make no mistake about it, a lot of Tony Rezkos have their hands in the till. Look at the group of Bankers charged often with fraudulent practices and those that received TARP funds. Then compare that list to those with the largest campaign donations and you’ll find the names match.
The Tea Party movement is a truly different response to business-as-usual politics. Though it lacks official organization or an orchestrated origin, the Tea Party has the establishment scratching its head. Why? So far it isn’t influenced by or beholden to money. It wasn’t formed by money. It was formed by people who came to town hall meetings one at a time and discovered there were many other people there just as frustrated as they were.
What is now called the Tea Party is a collection of these people completely turned off by the usual bought and paid for machinery of politics. They are raising their voices and voting specifically in spite of outsider money rather than because of it. Neither party knows quite how to handle a constituency that has appeared on its own without being manipulated to be there. Imagine, a constituency demanding responsible performance instead of political favors.
It’s wonderfully refreshing to watch as the hand-picked candidates of party bosses are losing primaries, and those once considered untouchable favored incumbents are being handed their walking papers. Scott Brown in Massachusetts, Christie in New Jersey, and McDonnell in Virginia were not flukes, nor establishment manipulations. Nor was Rubio in Florida or Sharron Angle in Nevada. These things are happening because a large block of people are voting conscience and principle. People with well worn Bibles, a favorable view of tradition, and a belief in the American constitution. People who have had enough of posturing, spin, and political business conducted with open checkbooks.
For the same reasons that we can’t yell “fire” in a public building, sometimes we have to amend free speech rights when the greater good of society is genuinely threatened. With elections now being virtually conducted as a financial business and politicians being bought and sold like a product, it may well be time to rethink campaign finance reform. Conservatives have trouble with “free speech” restrictions. That’s understandable. But the truth is billions of bucks are being spread around casually and openly for the sole purpose of influencing government, and Congress is influenced. As the nation is going bankrupt, there is no shortage of government contracts. Wheeling and dealing has replaced governing by, of, and for the people. And everybody knows it.
When can we expect change? Perhaps when Congress is shamed into action through outcry and faced with total voter rejection. Or when free people who are constitutionally educated and faithful to America demand elected leaders who uphold basic constitutional beliefs. In other words, when a movement like the Tea Party garners support. That’s why the current election climate is so exciting to be a part of as it unfolds.
Chief among basic constitutional truths is that the federal government is limited to specific powers and that all other powers not specifically listed in the Constitution are reserved for the people and for the states. The Tea Party is that unorchestrated voice getting louder all the time demanding we return to constitutional standards.
This nation began once before with a spark for liberty. It’s long overdue that we return to a time of electing officials instead of purchasing them. It’s looking like we may have a mid-term election that might be a contest of ideals again rather than another purchase.
As we get closer to November it’s looking more like constitutional voter “revival”.
Can I get an amen on that!
About the author
William Burton wrote 26 articles on this blog.
A political junkie with a home spun view of politics, passionately conservative. Published writer (short stories, political essays, poems), and public speaker. Profiled in, "The Ridiculous Race" by Steve Heely.
The High Cost Of Electing
Sometimes you do get what you pay for, but sometimes you don’t. Money has become the stuff elections are made of, but in terms of principled or competent representation, America is definitely being shortchanged.
The amount of money being spent now on political elections is obscene. The 2008 Presidential office alone raised over 1.5 billion in contributions, 72 percent of which came from business interests. For all elections, the estimated amount spent was in excess of 5.5 billion. The midterm races now in full swing are expected to spend more than 3.7 billion dollars. That’s a lot of influence peddling with tons of unaccounted cash transferring going on. Make no mistake about it, a lot of Tony Rezkos have their hands in the till. Look at the group of Bankers charged often with fraudulent practices and those that received TARP funds. Then compare that list to those with the largest campaign donations and you’ll find the names match.
The Tea Party movement is a truly different response to business-as-usual politics. Though it lacks official organization or an orchestrated origin, the Tea Party has the establishment scratching its head. Why? So far it isn’t influenced by or beholden to money. It wasn’t formed by money. It was formed by people who came to town hall meetings one at a time and discovered there were many other people there just as frustrated as they were.
What is now called the Tea Party is a collection of these people completely turned off by the usual bought and paid for machinery of politics. They are raising their voices and voting specifically in spite of outsider money rather than because of it. Neither party knows quite how to handle a constituency that has appeared on its own without being manipulated to be there. Imagine, a constituency demanding responsible performance instead of political favors.
It’s wonderfully refreshing to watch as the hand-picked candidates of party bosses are losing primaries, and those once considered untouchable favored incumbents are being handed their walking papers. Scott Brown in Massachusetts, Christie in New Jersey, and McDonnell in Virginia were not flukes, nor establishment manipulations. Nor was Rubio in Florida or Sharron Angle in Nevada. These things are happening because a large block of people are voting conscience and principle. People with well worn Bibles, a favorable view of tradition, and a belief in the American constitution. People who have had enough of posturing, spin, and political business conducted with open checkbooks.
For the same reasons that we can’t yell “fire” in a public building, sometimes we have to amend free speech rights when the greater good of society is genuinely threatened. With elections now being virtually conducted as a financial business and politicians being bought and sold like a product, it may well be time to rethink campaign finance reform. Conservatives have trouble with “free speech” restrictions. That’s understandable. But the truth is billions of bucks are being spread around casually and openly for the sole purpose of influencing government, and Congress is influenced. As the nation is going bankrupt, there is no shortage of government contracts. Wheeling and dealing has replaced governing by, of, and for the people. And everybody knows it.
When can we expect change? Perhaps when Congress is shamed into action through outcry and faced with total voter rejection. Or when free people who are constitutionally educated and faithful to America demand elected leaders who uphold basic constitutional beliefs. In other words, when a movement like the Tea Party garners support. That’s why the current election climate is so exciting to be a part of as it unfolds.
Chief among basic constitutional truths is that the federal government is limited to specific powers and that all other powers not specifically listed in the Constitution are reserved for the people and for the states. The Tea Party is that unorchestrated voice getting louder all the time demanding we return to constitutional standards.
This nation began once before with a spark for liberty. It’s long overdue that we return to a time of electing officials instead of purchasing them. It’s looking like we may have a mid-term election that might be a contest of ideals again rather than another purchase.
As we get closer to November it’s looking more like constitutional voter “revival”.
Can I get an amen on that!
About the author
William Burton wrote 26 articles on this blog.
A political junkie with a home spun view of politics, passionately conservative. Published writer (short stories, political essays, poems), and public speaker. Profiled in, "The Ridiculous Race" by Steve Heely.
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