4 ms·

> PS: Another way to get your message out, is of course money. As a european, I find it incredible that politics works this way in the US. It's corruption, pla

> PS: Another way to get your message out, is of course money. As a european, I find it incredible that politics works this way in the US. It's corruption, plain and simple. Fully institutionalized and out in the open.

anon4 13y ago
On the other hand, 3k is not a lot and gets you a guaranteed meeting.
- Intermernet 13y ago
  That's like saying "Hey, a thousand bucks and Jimmy and his boys won't hassle us no more!"
  - crag 13y ago
    That's exactly what it is. Granted, we didn't start out that way. It's a shake-down scheme now though. Everyone blames the lobbyist but really, it's the elected official. And by extension... us. Look, most Americans have the attention span of a gnat. And most don't care about anything past their front lawn. A friend of mine, a state senator said it best to me; "Most Floridians want to be lead. They're sheep". And he's exactly right. I mean when was the last time you researched a candidate? Knew his "real" history and views? Not the splat you're fed 30 second commercials. Half of American doesn't even vote. Even on issues that effect them directly - like the environment (water supply being a classic example). But they sure bitch about the TSA. Man, I've been playing the political game (as a donor) too long. ;)
    - nerfhammer 13y ago
      > didn't start out that way Yes it did. Campaign finance was pretty much a free-for-all until the 20th century, and even then could barely be called regulated until FECA in 1971. see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campaign_finance_reform_in_the_United_States#History http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campaign_finance_reform_in_the_...
    - tmzt 13y ago
      I'm guessing that the state senator would not have said that had their been a recording device active. Wouldn't it be prudent to assume that there is one recording as they are now all around us?
- laumars 13y ago
  It's a lot to the average person. By having a paid tier system like this, you're ensuring that only the rich and businesses have access to politicians (which actually goes a long way to explaining why American politics is so biased towards those already on top of the food chain; or "capitalism" as those in power often like to label their corruption)

anon4 13y ago

On the other hand, 3k is not a lot and gets you a guaranteed meeting.

Intermernet 13y ago
That's like saying "Hey, a thousand bucks and Jimmy and his boys won't hassle us no more!"
- crag 13y ago
  That's exactly what it is. Granted, we didn't start out that way. It's a shake-down scheme now though. Everyone blames the lobbyist but really, it's the elected official. And by extension... us. Look, most Americans have the attention span of a gnat. And most don't care about anything past their front lawn. A friend of mine, a state senator said it best to me; "Most Floridians want to be lead. They're sheep". And he's exactly right. I mean when was the last time you researched a candidate? Knew his "real" history and views? Not the splat you're fed 30 second commercials. Half of American doesn't even vote. Even on issues that effect them directly - like the environment (water supply being a classic example). But they sure bitch about the TSA. Man, I've been playing the political game (as a donor) too long. ;)
  - nerfhammer 13y ago
    > didn't start out that way Yes it did. Campaign finance was pretty much a free-for-all until the 20th century, and even then could barely be called regulated until FECA in 1971. see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campaign_finance_reform_in_the_United_States#History http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campaign_finance_reform_in_the_...
  - tmzt 13y ago
    I'm guessing that the state senator would not have said that had their been a recording device active. Wouldn't it be prudent to assume that there is one recording as they are now all around us?
laumars 13y ago
It's a lot to the average person. By having a paid tier system like this, you're ensuring that only the rich and businesses have access to politicians (which actually goes a long way to explaining why American politics is so biased towards those already on top of the food chain; or "capitalism" as those in power often like to label their corruption)