public service

Does Money Make It Right? By OneMann - Wed, 08/08/2007 - 9:04pmAnother blogger has twice mentioned the need to raise big money in order to attain political viability, either as a candidate for office or to support or oppose possible amendments to the Clay County Charter.  The writer added that not believing so meant one was not living in the real world. In the past few years there have been quite a few changes in local government, from those elected officials who retired or were otherwise forced out of office to a Charter addition mandating a new ethics ordinance to, next year, adding two new members to the County Commission.My question is this:  Has the American electoral system been reduced to merely who raises the most money and, if so, what does that say about local politics? 

Oneman, to answer your Question's;Submitted by winn1955 on Thu, 08/09/2007 - 1:18pm.Oneman, to answer your Question's; Has the American electoral system been reduced to merely who raises the most money, and if so, what does that say about local politics”? The answer to the first part of your Question is yes. The political arena has been reduced to who has the most in their war chest, and it is truly unfortunate to have too depend on the dollar to win an election. Baxley hit the nail on the head when he said name recognition, but he did not mention the second reason. An election is about two items, as Baxley stated; name recognition, and Two, being able to express your point of view. And in order to achieve those goals; one must be able to put those two items in front of the people. And how do we do that? We gather as many donations as possible, build a war chest, use our own money, and advertise, advertise, advertise.  The second part of your question, “and if so, what does that say about local politics”? That’s an easy one. It say’s that the politician with the biggest war chest will most likely win the election, sad but true. And as Baxley states; “there’s the rub”.  Baxley you say, “It seems almost un-American in some ways, but maybe it is oh-so-American.  I hate it.  I wish there were some other way, but how?  Here is my opinion on how too change it. With today’s technology there is absolutely no reason that anyone running for any office should have to pay to make the two points that I stated above. An election benefits any and every American involved in that particular election, whether national, or local. So ask yourselves; what is a politician? The answer; they are a public servants.  Yes that is right; they serve you and me. So! Here is what we do, send a bill to the legislators that would require all elections to be broadcast as a public service announcement. Give the politician an equal X amount of time to make the two points mentioned above. For a more in-depth announcement on the positions, and views send the people too a web page. All the media outlets should be involved. If need be give the media outlets and incentive in the form of a tax break. The more time given to the election the bigger the tax break for that media outlet. Sounds to simple, it may be, but it would work! It would place anyone that wanted to run for office on an even playing field. If adopted even a poor man like me could run for office.