Money. They say it makes the world go around. I've never had much of it to speak of, really, so I'm not sure that is true. What I am sure of, however, is that a lot of it is spent, every year, on politics.
It seems like the price of a national election, as far as campaign spending, goes up exponentially every four years, with more and more money being pushed to candidates of both sides.
While being unfair to candidates trying to unseat incumbents, it is also extremely wasteful. People claim to be spending this money to make sure their views and ideals are able to take a national stage.
But, the question must be asked, wouldn't putting that money to NPOs that support those beliefs be more productive? Wouldn't it be a better idea to not rest the hopes on an election?
Of course, saying the government is wasteful is nothing new; however, it's a fight that we must continue to fight.
The American people spend an excessive amount on politics, compounded by the fact that members of Congress vote to give themselves a pay raise almost every single session. Perhaps this is due to inflation; however, if that is the case, why have they not raised minimum wage? I am not for the raising of minimum wage, but I don't know how else Congress can justify it's own salary.
Special interests and political groups fund millions and millions of dollars behind candidates to get their views supported. But imagine if all the money that had been spent on supporting candidates to secure special interests had been spent on curing the problems those special interests relate.
Rather than supporting a candidate who will support programs that will clean up the environment, spend that money to help businesses become more eco-friendly or support organizations who actively keep our park lands clean and safe.
Rather than supporting candidates who will not raise safety standards for automobiles, spend that money on developing safer, more efficient cars.
Rather than spending $40 million on a giant party, spend that money on... hey, armor for our troops.
Imagine if all the money we spend on ad campaigns for politicians, special interests campaigns and the funding of the political process had been spent on, say, finding cures for cancer or AIDS, educating young Americans, or heaven forbid, put back into the economy.
(The effects of a political campaign, due to advertising rules, do not make a big boom in the economy, and, in fact, cost broadcasters time and money.)
A solution is, sadly, impossible to see at this point. It would require an abandonment of the idea as a political candidate as a product, which is the state of American politics. It would also require people to realize that there is something more important than gay marriage, abortion and the military, which would be exceedingly difficult.
But that doesn't mean it's not a good idea, and the first step to this idea is an legitimate campaign finance reform which restricts the amount of money spent on ad campaigns. If candidates and congressmen were actually companies, they'd be bankrupt by now. Which explains the deficit.
Write to Will at wjohargan@bsu.edu
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