CurlTalk - How to articulate an objection to fundraising

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How to articulate an objection to fundraising

Some friends are hosting a party this evening as a political fundraiser for someone who is running for Governor. The "suggested donation" was $50 per person.

When I see them, or any other friend who may have attended this party, if they ask why I didn't go, how do I explain?

I have nothing against the hosts of the party, or the political party being represented, and I have nothing against the person running for office. He is my current state representative.

I don't like the idea that the only way of getting face time with a political representative is if you're willing to fork over the cash. Joe Biden was here for a $500 a plate dinner. Really? Aren't you currently Vice President? Why do you need money so badly?

I wish there was a way to make politics not be so money-centric.

Hey, my boss shelled out $30K to go to the DNC in Denver. And you are reading corrently THIRTY FRICKING THOUSAND DOLLARS to go and get a seat. He wanted to talk stimulus apparently and the one way to do it was to shell out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poodlehead (Post 1137563)

Joe Biden was here for a $500 a plate dinner. Really? Aren't you currently Vice President? Why do you need money so badly?

I wish there was a way to make politics not be so money-centric.

Unfortunately, what Joe Biden was doing was very typical. Politicians, even those already elected, must fund raise constantly to keep up the coffers just in order to remain viable. [That is, if they are up for re-election at the end of their terms, as Obama and Biden will be.]

There is no way around this, unless we change election laws. And freedom of speech always comes up as an issue when we try to do that.

A recent Supreme Court ruling gave corporations the freedom to spend as much money as they wanted to in order to promote a candidate, raising the financial stakes even higher.

So this problem isn't going to go away any time soon. In fact, it is only going to get worse since that SC ruling, seeing as corporations have very deep pockets and lots of reasons to back the candidate of their choice.

Interestingly [from Wikipedia]:

Quote:

In a Washington Post-ABC News poll in early February 2010 it was found that roughly 80% of americans were opposed to the January 2010 Supreme court's ruling. The poll reveals relatively little difference of opinion on the issue among Democrats (85 percent opposed to the ruling), Republicans (76 percent) and independents (81 percent).

That article also mentions that John McCain, who has been a sponsor of successful campaign finance legislation in the past, predicts that there will be a public backlash from this ruling, once the effects of it start to reveal themselves. But that will take time.

Elections cost money. Marketing costs money. It's just a fact of life. I'm in the middle of it myself (hubby is running), and I'm almost shocked how even in small towns for itty bitty positions, how it can easily add up.