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Politicians For Sale... On Amazon

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the own-them-all dept.

aldheorte writes "In either a brilliant move or a sick commentary on politics (or both), Amazon is now selling U.S. Presidential candidates, or at least contributions to such."

50 of 425 comments (clear)

  1. Decisions, decisions... by hendridm · · Score: 5, Funny

    I can't decide between the serial killer and the dear hunter. Or maybe I'll just take a gamble this year...

    1. Re:Decisions, decisions... by FreshFunk510 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Speaking of which, does this pictures look like it was taken through a sniper scope? It looks like someones about to off him.

      --


      "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
    2. Re:Decisions, decisions... by Zeinfeld · · Score: 4, Insightful
      I can't decide between the serial killer

      You exagerate, or you are confusing LaRouche with Charles Manson. LaRouche was jailed for 15 years for fraud and tax evasion in 1988. He has been out on parole since 1993. I guess that the sentence probably expired completely last year (parole can extend longer than the original sentence).

      Amazon don't state the basis that they used to compile the list of candidates. Each election there are a couple of thousand people who file for president, so there has to be a cut-off at some point. Probably sending reports to the SEC.

      Its interesting the way that folk imediately translate dollars into votes. The fact that someone gives money to a campaign does not even mean they want them to be elected. Plenty of candidates in primaries get dollars from the other party, say there is a guy standing for re-election, folk will send dollars to a challenger in the primaries to help make it a rougher ride. I met a Democrat who freely admitted that 80% of his campaign dollars came from Republicans.

      The big issue in this campaign has been whether the Democrats would run the type of pusilanimous campaign that Gephart ran with in the mid-sessionals. Under that strategy the party would nominate 'Bush-Lite' - Lieberman or Gephart, someone who would not criticize the invasion of Iraq, someone who would basically roll over when the GOP press did their smear campaign.

      At this point Dean has made sure that whoever gets the nomination it will not be Gephart or Lieberman. Bush is going to be criticized on his record. Unfortunally for the poor Deaniacs they are now dispensible. We know full well that they will organize and vote for any Democrat candidate against Bush, except Lieberman that is.

      At this point I don't think anyone can say with confidence who the winner of the nomination will be. I think Kerry, Clark and Edwards all have a chance, Dean might recover. One thing I am sure of is that Edwards is the most likely choice for Veep. I don't think Clark or Kerry would even want it - Clark would almost certainly prefer Secretary of State. But Edwards is one heck of a smooth speaker, unfortunately the poor chump does not really have enough of a Resume to run. Last time that a guy with as little experience as he did became President was 2000 - and the results show it.

      --
      Looking for an Information Security student project suggestion?
      Try http://dotcrimeManifesto.com/
    3. Re:Decisions, decisions... by the+gnat · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You exagerate, or you are confusing LaRouche with Charles Manson.

      From what I've read about LaRouche, the idea of him as president is almost as scary as Manson as president. The guy is completely apeshit. I've seen a lot of his cultists around the Bay area; until I moved here, I thought he was pretty much defunct.

      Under that strategy the party would nominate 'Bush-Lite'

      Careful there. Ignoring the war issue for a moment (although there were many liberals who supported it, at least in principle, Clinton being the best example), this sounds a lot like an echo of Ralph Nader's preposterous claim in 2000 that there was no substantive difference between the Dems and the GOP. We've all seen how well that prediction turned out, havent' we? Ralph was just bitter because moderate neoliberal Democrats like Clinton didn't share his antipathy towards capitalism.

      At any rate, either of those candidates would have been capable of criticizing Bush on his record - and might have been better insulated against the inevitable RNC smear that they don't care about national security. (Note: I don't think this is a good reason for them to be president, however, nor do I support either candidate, although Lieberman's politics are closest to mine.) Personally, I would like to see a Democrat attack Bush from the right, and point out that we haven't yet captured bin Laden (but started another war anyway), he's ramped up the deficits, and the size of government (and spending) has actually expanded under Republican rule.

  2. Can't Wait..... by OctaneZ · · Score: 4, Funny

    I can't wait til I can donate my $200 to Al Hamburg! and with only One-Click no less! Boy, a grumpy 72 year old man is just what this country needs!

    1. Re:Can't Wait..... by FreshFunk510 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Tell me about it. The best part about him is:

      Education: Self-educated by reading

      Now that, people, is what I call a TRUE American.

      "I read me some books edumacated mah self."

      --


      "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
    2. Re:Can't Wait..... by cybercuzco · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Thomas Edison educated himself by reading, Abraham Lincoln educated himself by reading, many other famous americans educated themselves. Just because you never went to school doesnt preclude you from being smart.

      --

    3. Re:Can't Wait..... by Jonathan · · Score: 3, Informative

      Abraham Lincoln educated himself by reading

      Yes, but his administration was the one that passed the "land grant university act", which started the public university system, thus making university education cheap and available.

  3. Not Compativle with Associate Programs by inertia187 · · Score: 3, Informative

    It appears that this aspect of Amazon is not offered to it's associates. At least, not that I could tell, and I really looked. ;-) Oh well.

    Then again, I don't see how it could be profitable to offer this through their associate program without taking it off the top, which isn't in the best interest of the candidate.

    --
    A programmer is a machine for converting coffee into code.
  4. Contibutions by BWJones · · Score: 5, Interesting

    aldheorte writes "In either a brilliant move or a sick commentary on politics (or both), Amazon is now selling U.S. Presidential candidates, or at least contributions to such."

    Well, I suppose if you were completely cynical this is how one might view this, but to me, this is a great way to make political contributions, because this is about making contributions to your politician of choice.

    However, I would prefer to see an Internet based voting system that gets rid of the electoral college system....

    --
    Visit Jonesblog and say hello.
    1. Re:Contibutions by SkArcher · · Score: 5, Funny

      If it was a really sick commentary on Politics, they'd be selling them on eBay

      --

      An infinite number of monkeys will eventually come up with the complete works of /.
    2. Re:Contibutions by Purificator · · Score: 4, Insightful

      yeah, i don't see the down side for this. the site basically says it's for small (below $200) donations, which isn't going to buy you ANY influence. it just makes it easier for normal people to give candidates money.

      people should save their cynicism for corporate/special interest soft money and lobbying (you know, the things that ACTUALLY buy off candidates). really, if candidates got all enough money through small, distributed, contributions then they wouldn't have to sell themselves to bigger contributers who could want favors in return.

      you know, since campaign funds translate into votes (funds buying ads and all), this is pretty close to an internet voting system --plus it's got more security to it than any of the real electronic voting systems i've read about.

      --
      "Mister Potato-head --MISTER POTATO-HEAD! Backdoors are not secrets!" (War Games, 1983)
    3. Re:Contibutions by b-baggins · · Score: 4, Informative

      Um, the electoral college was put in because STATES elect the President, not the people.

      Theoretically, at least, we're a federal republic.

      BTW, Jefferson and a number of the other founding fathers were terrified of pure democracy, considering it, rightly so, to be nothing more than mob rule.

      --
      You can tell a great deal about the character of a man by observing those who hate him.
    4. Re:Contibutions by vaguelyamused · · Score: 5, Insightful

      If we end the Electoral College candidates will only campaign in the biggest states with the biggest cities and nowhere else. They would only serve those constituents and their interests, not the interests of the country as a whole. One could easily win by campaigning in New York, Texas, California and Illinois. Attempts to end the Electoral College are unwise and misguided.

      --
      STOP ROCK VIDEO
  5. Cut out the middleman by glinden · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Amazon takes a cut of these payments. You'd be better off giving directly to the campaigns.

    1. Re:Cut out the middleman by Kr3m3Puff · · Score: 5, Informative

      Yes, the legally cannot not take money for their services, but they are donating the proceeds to Kid's Vote, so in the end, it is a good thing and an interesting social experiement.

      --
      D.O.U.O.S.V.A.V.V.M.
    2. re: Cut out the middleman by DrinkDr.Pepper · · Score: 4, Informative

      Is Amazon.com getting paid to do this?

      --
      0xfeedface
  6. Move along, folks... by Black+Parrot · · Score: 5, Funny


    The politicians have been selling themselves since forever.

    Arguably they're just a sub-specialization of the World's Oldest Profession.

    --
    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  7. Wait, let me get this straight.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    There's a president of the United States now?

    This is all too much for me to handle!

  8. Not quite yet by Chris_Jefferson · · Score: 3, Informative

    If you actually look at the candidates, most say that amazon is currently asking for permission to accept donations. Looks like they may have launched this a little too early...

    --
    Combination - fun iPhone puzzling
  9. Wow...they DO check the suggestion box by grasshoppa · · Score: 5, Funny

    I've been begging them for an easy method for buying a Politician, and here we go. Corporations shouldn't be the only ones with all the fun.

    Now, I hope they get around to the second part of my suggestion: Judges.

    --
    Mod me down with all of your hatred and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!
    1. Re:Wow...they DO check the suggestion box by Grrr · · Score: 5, Funny

      If only they'd accept Flooz...


      <grrr>
  10. Re:Numbers by CausticWindow · · Score: 3, Informative

    Here you go.

    --
    How small a thought it takes to fill a whole life
  11. If They're Going to Sell Them on Amazon, by CrankyFool · · Score: 4, Funny

    I want:
    A) "Other Amazon Shoppers who contributed to Howard Dean also purchased..."
    B) One-click ordering

    1. Re:If They're Going to Sell Them on Amazon, by FreshFunk510 · · Score: 3, Funny

      How about a 5-star rating while you're at it? User reviews anyone?

      --


      "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
    2. Re:If They're Going to Sell Them on Amazon, by blamanj · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I know you meant that as a joke, but there's certainly nothing (technically) stopping them from using that information.

      Also, they can certainly sell it in aggregate (e.g., Democrats buy Wusthof knives, Republicans buy Henkels) without violating their privacy policies, since no individual data is released about you.

      I personally am not thrilled about this kind of data collection.

  12. But it used by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'll just wait a while and then click on the "Buy It Used" button.

  13. Dean by Frizzle+Fry · · Score: 5, Funny
    From their page on Howard Dean:

    Current Job: Former governor of Vermont
    Prior Job(s): Vermont state representative, Vermont lieutenant governor, medical doctor

    How is "former governor" a current job? Given that he is no longer governor, wouldn't it make more sense to list governor as a prior job?
    --
    I'd rather be lucky than good.
    1. Re:Dean by nnnneedles · · Score: 4, Funny

      Current Job: Unemployed

      Yeah, that would look really good..

      --
      Will code a sig generator for food
    2. Re:Dean by kfg · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Ah, but what if he's getting payed to be the former governor of Vermont?

      KFG

  14. Umm.... by aussersterne · · Score: 3, Insightful

    All I see is Libertarian, Republican and Democrat. Where are the other parties? Green? Socialist Workers? Communist? Or any of those lesser-known parties on the right that I'm not familiar with but know are there because of their stench?

    It seems a shame to create a potentially "democratic" contribution system like this wherein all the candidates appear side by side, yet return in the end to the flawed two-party (or at most three-party) set of limited choices...

    --
    STOP . AMERICA . NOW
  15. Re:Might want to check their privacy policy. by realdpk · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Yep. Wonder how they'll use these donations to shape their book picks.

    Then again, I wonder what they'd do if someone donated $5 to each candidate. :)

  16. Ratings? by jdunlevy · · Score: 5, Funny

    What, no option to "RATE THIS CANDIDATE"? No Customer Reviews? No "6 people recommended Howard Dean instead of Dennis J. Kucinich"? No "1 person recommended Lyndon H. LaRouche Jr. in addition to Howard Dean"? ...

    1. Re:Ratings? by nacturation · · Score: 5, Funny

      George W. Bush:

      0 of 2,912,790 Florida voters found this candidate helpful.

      --
      Want to improve your Karma? Instead of "Post Anonymously", try the "Post Humously" option.
  17. Not As Bad As It Seems by thedbp · · Score: 3, Funny

    Sure, it seems really cheesy and horrible to be able to "purchase" your candidate online, but at the same time, it give equal screen space to people like Dubya, Sharpton, and... holy cow, who is this?

    Al Hamburg?

    Divroced with 9 kids. Self educated ... by reading. This guy's got MY dollar AND my vote! God bless the democratic process!

  18. I like this by Cranky_92109 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Be as cynical as you like, we all know it takes money to run for any public office. Amazon has put up a page with all the candidates, many of which I have never heard of, and it has a little biography and overview of their politics. From there you can donate a small amount of cash, $200 or less.

    Maybe this will help educate some people on the lesser known candidates and help even the playing field a tiny bit for those candidates who don't have a lot of cash.

  19. Re:Here's Who's Ahead by dublisk · · Score: 5, Informative

    Gee, Bush doesn't have any contributions. Surprise, Surprise!

    If you had read the FAQ on amazon you would see:

    Why can't I contribute to the Bush or Lieberman campaigns yet?
    It's up to each campaign to decide if and when they want to participate. We have invited each of these campaigns to participate and we're hopeful that they'll come on board in the near future. Meanwhile, we have posted information about each candidate and his campaign, and we've provided a link to the candidates' campaign Web sites where you can make a contribution.

  20. More info on info transferred by Rescate · · Score: 3, Informative

    From the FAQ:

    Will Amazon.com transfer information about me?
    As required by law, Amazon.com will transfer to the campaign(s) to which you contribute your name and address (your credit card billing address) and the date and amount of your contribution.

    For campaigns that may accept federal matching funds, Amazon.com will also send the type of credit card you use (e.g., Visa) and the last four digits of your credit card number.

    The campaigns then will send a report including this information about you and about other contributors, no matter by what means (e.g., by mail or telephone) they contributed, to the Federal Election Commission ("FEC"). The FEC eventually publishes each contributor's name and address, the campaign supported, and the dates and amounts of the contribution, but not any credit card information.

    For further information, see the privacy policies posted on the campaigns' web sites.

  21. Duh! by toupsie · · Score: 5, Insightful
    All I see is Libertarian, Republican and Democrat. Where are the other parties? Green? Socialist Workers? Communist?

    You have got to be kidding! Greens, Socialist Workers and Communist are ANTI-CAPITALISTS! Signing up with the biggest online capitalist tool would be make them look silly and go completely against their political beliefs.

    --
    Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.
  22. And the burning question is... by Arcanix · · Score: 3, Funny

    Can you get your money back if the candidate turns out to be defective?

  23. FAQ: Is Amazon.com getting paid to do this? by Beolach · · Score: 4, Informative
    Is Amazon.com getting paid to do this?
    U.S. federal law prohibits us from donating services to any or all presidential campaigns, so we are charging the campaigns our usual and normal Amazon.com Payments fee.
    On a less capitalistic note, the answer continues:
    We've also decided that we'll eventually contribute the aggregate amount we're paid in fees to Kids Voting USA, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, national organization that works with schools and communities to enhance civics education and provide youth an authentic voting experience.
    --
    Join moola.com, play games to earn money.
  24. Does this qualify? by JRHelgeson · · Score: 4, Funny

    If I contribute over $25, does that qualify for FREE Super Saver Shipping?

    --
    Good security is based upon reality and common sense. Common sense is a function of having common knowledge.
    1. Re:Does this qualify? by AtomicBomb · · Score: 4, Funny

      >> If I contribute over $25, does that qualify for FREE Super Saver Shipping?
      Yes, of course. Empty promise are always delivered for free. :-)

  25. Re:Here's Who's Ahead by mandalayx · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The Libertarian guy is currently leading, which is interesting.

    Nolan

  26. Great Motives as well by llamashoes · · Score: 4, Funny
    From Vote-Smart.org
    Greatly Increase Funding: k) Other: program to stop school Bullying of litler kids
  27. Donations from outside United-States? by starm_ · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I wonder if they accept donations from people outside of the United-States. I know a lot of people that think the current administration is a menace to the world and I think some of them would even be willing to pay to help its competitors.
    It would be an interesting phenomenon if it ever happens.

  28. Gave $5 to Clark. by Axe · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Just want to see what happens: how many solicitation for donations I will receive. That will test how much do they sell my personal information.

    --
    <^>_<(ô ô)>_<^>
    1. Re:Gave $5 to Clark. by LostCluster · · Score: 4, Informative

      No need to sell it. Presidential campaign contributors have to be disclosed...

  29. If They're Going to Sell Them on Amazon, by Dukael_Mikakis · · Score: 4, Funny

    They should try to keep them in stock. I ordered a Carol Moseley Brown, but it says that she's Out of Print.

    And after the Iowa primaries, they should post a notice: Howard Dean [EXPLICIT LYRICS]

  30. Bush contribution schedule by Animats · · Score: 3, Funny
    • $5. Added to campaign mailing list.
    • $50. Called back by telemarketer.
    • $500. Called back by junior campaign staffer.
    • $5,000. Called back by senior campaign staffer. Invitation to minor Bush campaign event.
    • $50,000. Called back by Cabinet member. VIP invitation to major Bush campaign events.
    • $500,000. Bush calls you back and thanks you. Invitation to major event at White House.
    • $5,000,000. Karl Rove calls you back, finds out what you want, and makes it happen.