The problem with big $ politics

It has become obvious that the present campaign reform proposals will reform very little. They are filled with loopholes and will be opposed by the media, who depend on political advertising for a huge source of revenue.

The obscene cost of campaigning has given growth to an entire industry built around fundraising. If you are a computer user I am sure that every day your In Box has numerous requests for donations. While they ask for as little as $3, these requests are repeated almost every day and you are asked to sign petitions which which put you on more lists soliciting more donations.

Lobbyists are a large part of this obscenity. They raise money to disperse to candidates and elected politicians so that they can get favorable laws for their clients. The Supreme Court has compounded this problem by giving corporations the same rights as individuals when it comes to donating money. This has raised the stakes further by forcing politicians to spend ridiculous amounts of time fundraising and promising favors to everyone with a big checkbook.

Unfortunately, when it comes to buying influence, the middle class cannot compete with the corporations. That is why our government is being bought and sold by Big Oil, Big Tobacco, Big Pharma, etc.

The reason why campaign reform won't work is simple. No one benefits except the little guy - and no one cares about the little guy.

Politicians need the big money to run for office. Lobbyists need access to the big money to buy influence and keep their jobs. The media needs big money in the game to pay for all the advertising.

Many of our elected officials are so cosy with the huge dollars of the lobbying industry, they use their elected positions as a stepping stone to employment as lobbyists when their time in office is up.

We need to stop the madness. Between partisan politics and a Congress on the payroll of corporate America, there is almost no chance for meaningful legislation to help the poor and middle class.