TheNoNamedOne
07-24-2007, 02:40 PM
Any small level politician with future aspirations of holding the highest office in the land knows that that dream is only a reality through connections, building coalitions, and raising lots of money through private and corporate supporters. It often takes whole political carreers to have all these things line up to the point where they will propel someone into the presidency.
After 10, 20, or 30 years of this, however, one becomes beholden to large interests of donors throughout the years and as one goes back to them hoping to collect more money for the next campaign, one's platform has to take into account what the interests are of that donor. In other words, one cannot really run on one's own beliefs and principles, or what policies one feels would be best for the country. Remember, they have their hat out the whole time and the costs of presidential campaigns are enormous nowdays. Sadly but true, Joe Shmoe with the best ideas and policies, without considerable funds, will not be taken seriously for the Presidency because he won't be able to reach the people. And sorry, the internet just will not overcome the affect of corporate media and mainstream news coverage.
Now, a multi-billionaire exclusively using his own funds to step into the race needs to beg no one for money, or pay back political debt from years of politiking. He is probably more free from being beholden to corporations.
We saw a possible glimpse of this with Ross Perot (though he seemed slightly eccentric), but now here comes Michael Bloomberg, another super rich person who possibly is considering using his own funds for a run of the Presidency.
I like the thought of newcomer rich person askewing tax dollars to fund his campaign. There is a thread of honesty and honor and the thought of really putting one's self at the service of others in that, I feel.
What do you think about non politician billionaires financing their own campaigns in order to win office? Would you think their inexperience in political affairs be bad for the country, or would their business skills make up for that? Would you be more likely to trust them as they sacrifice a part of their personal wealth, or look at them with suspicion -- perhaps just wanting to fulfill their ego?
After 10, 20, or 30 years of this, however, one becomes beholden to large interests of donors throughout the years and as one goes back to them hoping to collect more money for the next campaign, one's platform has to take into account what the interests are of that donor. In other words, one cannot really run on one's own beliefs and principles, or what policies one feels would be best for the country. Remember, they have their hat out the whole time and the costs of presidential campaigns are enormous nowdays. Sadly but true, Joe Shmoe with the best ideas and policies, without considerable funds, will not be taken seriously for the Presidency because he won't be able to reach the people. And sorry, the internet just will not overcome the affect of corporate media and mainstream news coverage.
Now, a multi-billionaire exclusively using his own funds to step into the race needs to beg no one for money, or pay back political debt from years of politiking. He is probably more free from being beholden to corporations.
We saw a possible glimpse of this with Ross Perot (though he seemed slightly eccentric), but now here comes Michael Bloomberg, another super rich person who possibly is considering using his own funds for a run of the Presidency.
I like the thought of newcomer rich person askewing tax dollars to fund his campaign. There is a thread of honesty and honor and the thought of really putting one's self at the service of others in that, I feel.
What do you think about non politician billionaires financing their own campaigns in order to win office? Would you think their inexperience in political affairs be bad for the country, or would their business skills make up for that? Would you be more likely to trust them as they sacrifice a part of their personal wealth, or look at them with suspicion -- perhaps just wanting to fulfill their ego?