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Pay to Play the U.S. Way

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the shattered-illusions dept.

Thu Anon Coward writes "There's an article on CNN.com that finally shows proof that corporations actually demand access to politicians for contributing $$$. And that political parties promise access based on how much the corporations "donate". Microsoft donated money on the condition that they be seated next to "Sen. (Paul) Coverdell or leadership, Commerce Committee or Judiciary Committee," according to a GOP memo. The memo added Microsoft did not want to sit with Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a major critic." How can we fight this? Write letters to the companies saying we won't buy their products because of their undue influence? You think the politicians will actually listen if we write them instead?" The campaign finance debate is probably the most important political issue in the U.S. right now. You should pay attention, even if you hate politics.

4 of 727 comments (clear)

  1. In canada... by kypper · · Score: 5, Interesting

    a friend of mine just started a new political party, The Patriot Party of Canada, and the biggest thing going for it is that it does not accept donations from corporations or special interest groups. Only time will tell whether he can succeed with it or not, but it shows that many people are getting the message. The response so far has not been negative, either.

  2. It could be combatted the Swiss way... by ssclift · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ... by banning partisan political advertising on TV, in newspapers and on the radio. You want to know about issues in an upcoming referendum or election there? You can ask for position papers from the candidates, listen to debates open to all candidates, read reports in the three daily and several weekly newspapers from independent publishers across the political spectrum. Posters are permitted, as are a limited number of mass-mailings, if they are directly addressed.

    Suddenly, campaigning gets cheap! No more competition by who can afford the most attack ads during the 6pm news slot.

    Then again, Swiss democracy is 500 years older than American democracy. I suppose it could take a while for the U.S., and Canada for that matter, to catch up... *sigh*... (I'm Canadian, but lived in Switzerland for 6 years).

  3. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  4. Who's Gonna Buy the TV Time? by reallocate · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The occasional individual candidate here in the States has made similar virtuous pledges to deny themselves corporate fundings. It's almost always a sure road to anonymity. If voters have never heard of you or your party, they won't vote for you.

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    -- Slashdot: When Public Access TV Says "No"