Sorry I was away yesterday. I was trying to write an in depth post about how by reducing consumerism as a society, we could decrease working hours, but yesterday was too distracting with all the election drama. Hopefully I'll have that post for you all by tomorrow or Friday.
Speaking of the election, I am starting to feel like I might as well turn over my paycheck to the Democrats the way I am constantly guilted into giving money to them. Has anyone else experienced this? Everywhere I turn, I am getting emails and phone calls, and getting stopped on the street. And everyone is asking me to donate money.
And while I'm happy that for the first time in forever the Democrats are the ones winning the money game (in February, Obama and Clinton raised about $85 mil combined versus a paltry $12 mil from McCain) the non-consumerist in me feels queasy about all the money sloshed around. And ... for what? For some ads and counter ads all about little children at 3:00 am?
Really?
Aren't there better uses for this money?
Now, look. I'm going to continue to donate to the Democratic Party because this is the system we have *now.* And, honestly, I don't know that there IS a better system. Citizens have a right to donate to presidential campaigns. It's part of our free speech rights.
But I wish there was a better way. I'm troubled by the millions and millions of dollars that are lavished on campaigns. I'm worried that every campaign these days is getting more and more expensive.
On the other hand, if Obama wins the nomination, I don't want him to take public funding for the general election. Obama has shown that he can beat McCain handily in the money game if they don't accept public funding. Why give up this advantage the one year it favors Democrats?
So, I guess that means, while I'm troubled by all the money, I'd rather win more than anything.
1 year ago
3 comments:
The fact that electoral success is so dependent on money disturbs me. I know this is the system we've got, but it still seems wrong that we should have to pay money just for the hope of getting a better government.
In the past years, I managed to reject giving money to DNC directly because I did not think it was a well run organization. And frankly I was and still am scared of machinery, D or R. This year I gave money to the candidate I support. As much as I agree with you about the heartburn from watching my money being used splashy ads, I probably give more before this is all over. On the one hand I think the prolonged primary has generated a significant amount of interest in the political process. On the other hand, I think about the money being squandered away. I am also just worn. The prospect of 7 more weeks of this kitchen sink throwing before Pennsylvania is truly scaring me. Let's just end this already. Hopefully I don't have to hear the Puerto Rico song :) The only people who are excited are my in-laws who live in North Carolina. This may be the first time they will vote in the primary.
On one hand, at least MOST of the money being spent is being spent in this country, paid to TV stations, printing companies, ad companies, etc... so THEORETICALLY it will "trickle down" to the average American again through the economy.
Theoretically.
(I do know that SOME stuff trickles down... my FIL is a direct beneficiary of money trickling down from the uberrich (he's a custom stoneworker for $100M houses)... and that HE then spends LOTS of money in the service industry at restaurants, just remodeled his house, etc, with that money).
That being said, I do hate the money involved. It's almost like it doesn't "exist" in people's minds... they aren't thinking about how many schools or roads could be FIXED with taht money, or how many underpriveledged children could be given a much more one-on-one experience in learning, how many new teachers could be hired, etc.
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