Slashdot Mirror
Pay to Play the U.S. Way
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.
The only way to fix the problem is large scale revolution. Mod me down if you must. But you mods will be the first with your backs against the wall when the revolution arrives.
Yes, but the Democrats are just greedy. The Republicans are both greedy and evil!
Eliminate political parties. Declare them as monopolies under anti-trust laws.
At least in the US this sort of behaviour is above board. It's an open book you can respond to.
In Canada, this sort of crap is very much hidden from public view. We have no way of knowing where the payola comes from, or where the influence is exercised. Every once in a while a tidbit gets out, like Chretien and the Shawinigan fiasco, but aside from those waves of negative PR that seem to go hand in hand with an election or leaderhip race, it's all very hush hush.
Mike
Ok ok, I'll be good. Gimme back my karma.
-- Karma whore? You betcha. --
The United States has been a plutocracy since the turn of the 20th century. Resistance is futile. The bottom line is that 80% of us work to allow the remaining 20% to live the American Dream.
The trouble with practical jokes is that very often they get elected. -- Will Rogers
The CNN headline "Documents: Donors promised political access" was adequate. The Slashdot headline is childish, uninformative and search-proof. I nearly skipped the story, assuming it was about games or music.
Michael, are you writing on a news site or in a school exercise book? Hands up who knows what headlines are for.
how did jeb bush win a handy re-election, when any civilized floridian (there are a handful of us in miami here, none in government) wanted him out like a leper in a hemophiliac ward????? He gave the best 37 Million reasons why, as opposed to McBride's 15 Million reasons.
in fact, the worst part of that fiasco, was that the Dem high muckety mucks (i used to not even know they existed) chose him, cuz they felt he'd be a more Big Money attractive canditate. Reno wouldn't take anything over 500 bucks from anyone, didn't do a lick of expensive advertising and lost. Hell, Bush's team attacked McBride (read = gave him free advertising) and made him the candidate to whup on later.
bottom line, the money makes the monkey dance, and advertising sadly sells these crooked canditates to the masses and all of us up the river.
"You never want a serious crisis to go to waste." - Rahm Emanuel