It Is Simply About Money

Most of us are too busy in our daily lives to take enough interest in politics to have a good understanding of what is going on. The mudslinging TV ads bombard us for the campaign season and we are always thankful when it is over. We either don’t vote because we don’t believe that we can make a difference or we vote, not feeling that it really mattered.

There has never been a more important time in the history of our country for the 99% of common citizens to believe that their vote counts. Very simply, our government has been sold to the wealthiest contributors. You owe it to yourselves and the next generation to learn, to understand and take action for a government that is truly of the people and for the people.

With few exceptions, the politicians who win elections are those who have the most money backing them for campaign ads and expenses. That leaves candidates no time to stay in touch with the entire constituency. Instead they are investing most of their time sucking up to wealthy donors. It would be naïve, at best, to believe that wealthy campaign donors are motivated by altruism.

It is the simple rule of tit for tat. When the elections are won, the donors expect to be taken care with legislation that will serve their own individual needs. The wealthy will profit. The poor are blamed for the troubles of the country. The middle class carries the tax burden.

The system is broken so badly that elections are actually bought. Given the right vehicle for contributing cash to a campaign, there is no limit to the amount money that can be accumulated from donors in order for candidates to win. It is very much like campaigning from the end of the rainbow.

The result is that middle class income potential and buying power have sadly diminished over the last thirty years. This is exacerbated by higher costs of consumer items, housing and education. The hole is getting deeper and the hope of getting out is nearly gone for most working people.

You can do something about this and you owe it to yourself, your children and your grandchildren to do so. First, make the time in your busy life to stay abreast of what is going on. Know how your congressional representatives and senators are voting and why. When you don’t agree with their direction on an issue, write to them to tell them about it. They all have websites with links for email communication

No one can keep up with everything that is going on in the world or the country. However, if there is one issue that is important above all other issues it is campaign finance reform. The lack of restrictions on campaign donations needs to be outlawed.

It is that shortfall of restrictions that allows the wealthy to buy our government. The legislators are not going to act on effective campaign finance reform without strong grassroots movements pushing them to do so. It is up to the population with 99% of the votes to beat down the wealthy few who have 99% of the cash.