[Winona Online Democracy]
Dwayne,
I guess the argument is that money somehow influences people to vote one way
or another, and therefore the guy with the most money wins. Didn't help
Steve Forbes (one trick ponies get left in the dust, even in the primaries).
But all money does in a political campaign is buy TV time, bumper stickers,
and partisan mailings (but mainly TV time). Voters who are persuaded or
swayed by TV commercials are the simpleminded and gullible saps who buy
'Marvin's Magic' without understanding that it never works like it does on
TV. My 6 year old has learned that lesson. I would suggest they check out
HBO's "Buy Me That!" series of specials designed to teach young people about
deception in TV commercials.
Many moons ago we were discussing the responsibility and civic duty involved
in voting. That discussion was waylaid, like many other things, by some
interesting developments in national politics. It is the conscientious
voter's job to seek out the truth of the issues. And campaign finance
reform is not a hot bed issue, unless you're the candidate with a problem
raising money. Poll after poll have shown that issue fails to resonate
primarily because the alternative proposed is federal funding of campaigns,
which is unthinkable. The federal government, whoever they are, are the
people that pay $600 for hammers and $1,000 for toilet seats. Can you
imagine what they'd pay for a 30 second spot on "Who Wants to be a
Millionaire?" or "Monday Night Football?"
America needs campaign finance reform like it needs another consumer
advocate. You know, the old adage is still true, "What's good for GM is
Good for America."
gene thiele
Winona
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dwayne Voegeli" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2000 9:59 AM
Subject: [Winona] Following the Money
> [Winona Online Democracy]
>
> Hello,
>
> Here is a great web page that shows how much money different politicians
> raised and where it came from.
>
> Dwayne Voegeli
>
> ==========
>
> Here's the campaign finance web site for the Center for Responsive
Politics:
>
>
> http://www.opensecrets.org
>
>
>
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