I just read that an estimated $2.4 BILLION has been spent on campaigning for this election. How about some real campaign finance reform for a change?
Next election, stick to one flier or program per candidate, mass-mailed to every home in the country... and put the rest of that money into something else. I don't know, reducing our national debt, perhaps?
Put it in Directly. No special interest groups. No lobbyists. No campaign managers. No paid staff. Surely, candidates with people who believe in them could rally the manpower to get ONE flier sent to each and every home without having to pay even half that much, right?
Make it tight. Make it good. Make it honest, 'cuz God help you if something you wrote isn't true - that's your only shot.
Maybe splurge in the last month and make one trip around the country. OK, that'll cost a bit more. Still nowhere near $2.4 BILLION. Because, seriously, anybody who can spend that kind of money without blinking is probably not really in touch with a single thing that takes place on Main Street, Burbon Street, or the back alleys in towns along Route 66.
We've been among the demographics pandered to this election, and it's been disgusting. It's been like sitting in on an Andy Kauffman sketch, only there is no joke in there. I don't know how groups who generally get pandered to can put up with it. This entire election, we've heard nothing but how stoopid, how incapable, how incredibly lost we all are without the Federal Government taking care of us. And worse yet, how they're going to take care of us. It's insulting. The fact that these people think we want this kind of condescension blows my mind. The fact that there are people clamoring along with the "oh, me, too! me, too!" tirades I've also seen is mind-boggling.
We need some kind of opt-out feature. Give me an affidavit that says I didn't ask for you to look out for me, I didn't accept your "help", and I don't acknowledge your premise that I'm stoopid, incapable, or lost. I'll sign it and be on my way. I don't think I'd be alone, either. I think the candidates may actually be quite shocked to find how many signed, notarized forms they'd get back.
Gah, I'll be glad when this is over. Probably not happy with the results, but at least, for a little while, we'll have a reprieve from the onslaught of just how ridiculously incompetent We The People are.
Kiss those babies!
~Dy
12 comments:
According to Obama, there's a very fine line between democracy and socialism. Give me that affadavit and let me sign away!
Amen! Great post...I agree with you.
Kathy
A reprieve? Not if the likely winner actually wins. Then we'll have four years of "there there, let me take care of you, poor little peon." Gah.
Sour grapes?? Maybe not. But the people have spoken, loud and clear. I wonder if this will mean the Republican party will take time to recharge and reform, or veer into even more radical directions. I'm hoping they fade quietly away. One plus, tho, I think third parties will become more popular and will have to be taken more seriously.
It's been interesting to me to see how many large corporations gave money to BOTH campaigns. It's obvious they don't really care WHO wins, they just want the winner to owe them a favor.
ernie, I love ya, you know that. We can hash out the evils and benefits of capitalism and half-assed regulations at Camp. ;-)
dortha, sour grapes? Hardly. I've never believed the gov't is the most efficient, benevolent, or practical way to run private lives. The people have spoken, and I respect that. However, that has never meant that the minority voices must be silenced - not in a Republican win, not in a Democratic win.
And yes, my voice is the minority. I didn't have a horse in this race, and I get that. I don't want more from our gov't, nor am I willing to concede liberties and freedom for the slavery that such coddling will demand. That's not sour grapes, that's how I have always felt. Even when we were dirt poor. Even when we qualified for every program under the sun. You may not agree with me, but I am consistent, and I am honest. I hope you can at least respect that. I do agree with you that third parties will have to be taken more seriously, although I suspect for different reasons. ;-) It will be interesting to see which direction America heads.
josh, hang in there, man!
I think it may be time to find a new country to live in, perhaps one with a chicken-based economy.
{chagrin}
Awesome post Dy.
Great ideas and thoughts. Simplicity....and chickens! Get my vote:)
Pamela
Dortha said: "Sour grapes?? Maybe not. But the people have spoken, loud and clear."
Dortha, you should remember that we have a Constitutional Republic, NOT a democracy. When the people have spoken, whatever they've said, it should only matter if it's Constitutional. Otherwise, it's just the "tyranny of the majority," as our Founding Fathers were well aware. And when we're talking about people and politicians who are stealing my freedoms Left and Right, trust me when I say that "sour grapes" is not an issue for me. Rage is.
Dy, awesome post.
What? You didn't enjoy a 2-year-long campaign?
;-)
Maybe they'll all give us 15 minutes of quiet before the next campaign starts. I'm a sponge. I'm full. I can't take anymore!
I'm a little late with this one, but this is a great post. I totally agree with you and when I think about the future of this country I get a case of the vapors! ;)
Truly, I have found myself scratching my head and thinking the same things. Are we, as a people, really this stupid? That's what keeps me awake at night.
Good stuff here, Dy. ;)
Post a Comment