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They should be subject to regulation; they should not be granted monopolies. These are two entirely different concepts. The current system grants them monopolie
by 001sky 13y ago
They should be subject to regulation; they should not be granted monopolies. These are two entirely different concepts. The current system grants them monopolies, and fails to regulate them appropriately. This is exactly the wrong way round. But this is the problem with politicians: monopoly provides concentration of cash, and this can be tapped into far more efficiently from the perspective of political exploitation. Its much easier to garner a donation from a rich individual with concentrated cash, than many individuals. Likewise, its much easier tax a few firms or not with tax {X} in return for special favours. Its much harder to garner the support of the diffuse and middle classes (not to mention, even get/keep their attention). So, this is sort of a classic case of political economy in the instrumental sense...on both sides.
- rhizome 13y agoActually, campaigns nowadays run on the concept of "bundlers," who are rich people who act as a funnel for their rich friends. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campaign_finance_in_the_United_States#Bundling http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campaign_finance_in_the_United_...
- Bud 13y agoYou mean they used to, until the limits on secret donations from one rich guy were gotten rid of.
- rhizome 13y agoI'm guessing that you're referring to something in particular?
- 001sky 13y agohttp://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/08/obama-golfs-with-comcast-ceo-170524.html http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/08/obama-golfs-with... http://deneenborelli.com/2013/08/msnbc-boss-comcast-ceo-brian-roberts-hosts-ruling-class-party-for-obamas-in-marthas-vineyard/ http://deneenborelli.com/2013/08/msnbc-boss-comcast-ceo-bria... http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0811/into_the_woods_e6c4b4e2-aec1-417b-a8e7-3a2989b80c7f.html http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0811/into_the_woods_... http://bigstory.ap.org/article/obamas-daughters-join-familys-vineyard-vacation http://bigstory.ap.org/article/obamas-daughters-join-familys... http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/pres-obama-drops-by-marthas-vineyard-home-of-comcast-ceo_b81465 http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/pres-obama-drops-by-mart...
- sillysaurus2 13y agoIts much easier to garner a donation from a rich individual with concentrated cash, than many individuals. Interestingly, this may change soon. It's probably inevitable that we're going to see politicians raising money a'la Kickstarter. A well-presented and charismatic politician should be able to raise a decent amount with crowdfunding, especially if they're a Redditor. Since most children are Redditors, and since some of those children will grow up to be politicians, it seems a matter of time till we see political crowdfunding. The effects could be pretty huge. Therefore I expect this avenue of raising campaign money to be outlawed. But maybe it will slip by unnoticed long enough to change the political landscape.
- khuey 13y agoBarack Obama did just that in 2008.
- deleted 13y ago[deleted]
- anactofgod 13y agoSooner than you think. smile