Candidates auditioning for the billionaires (vote, Congress, campaign, polls)

[treasurefinder]

This is just a rant, I know things will never change. I absolutely hate the citizens united decision. I hate that money has taken over politics. I hate that candidates can't state honest opinions, they have to align themselves with billionaires that will fund the super PAC. This money being poured into campaigns could solve so many other problems. Education is being cut nonstop. The middle class factory jobs are going away so you can hardly just finish high school and earn a decent living. Okay rant over.

[burdell]

Someone will continue that rant (with good reason) until there's a major shake-up in our entrenched two party system where candidates from both sides happily sell themselves to the highest bidders.

[Ponderosa]

I wonder if we someday reach the point that we have with stadiums and sports venues and NASCAR drivers: where a candidate is sponsored by and wears the logos of a special interest. In some ways that would be an improvement as we would know who is pulling their strings.

[burdell]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

I wonder if we someday reach the point that we have with stadiums and sports venues and NASCAR drivers: where a candidate is sponsored by and wears the logos of a special interest. In some ways that would be an improvement as we would know who is pulling their strings.

Let's see if they really believe in what they claim to support, let 'em get tattooed with their sponsors names.

[HuskyMama]

For every complaint I see about money in politics, I'd like to see one about voter apathy and ignorance.

How often do we see polls with very low levels of name recognition for many people on the national stage? How often do you think "how can people not know who X is, are they living under a rock?"

Money buys ads, money gets names and positions out there in the public sphere for people who are too lazy to do a little independent research to find out who is running and where they stand.

It's sad that so many decisions are made on commercials and nothing more. IMO, if you're going to vote, you should at least visit the websites of all candidates in the race, to make sure advertising isn't misrepresenting them.

If people made more effort to inform themselves, just with a little Googling, the need for massive money in advertising wouldn't be as necessary.

It's a more complicated issue than just billionaires buying candidates.

[banjomike]

I fully expect campaign reform to be the hottest issue between 2016 and 2020.

[armourereric]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

I wonder if we someday reach the point that we have with stadiums and sports venues and NASCAR drivers: where a candidate is sponsored by and wears the logos of a special interest. In some ways that would be an improvement as we would know who is pulling their strings.

I already think that the congress members name placard at committee hearings should feature this.

[Casper in Dallas]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

I wonder if we someday reach the point that we have with stadiums and sports venues and NASCAR drivers: where a candidate is sponsored by and wears the logos of a special interest. In some ways that would be an improvement as we would know who is pulling their strings.

I think it should be a requirement for them to wear them and the size of each logo should be in line with the amount they were endorsed for so we know who they Really work for.

[silverkris]

Originally Posted by burdell

Let's see if they really believe in what they claim to support, let 'em get tattooed with their sponsors names.

Or at least wear patches on their clothing like NASCAR drivers.

[banjomike]

Originally Posted by silverkris

Or at least wear patches on their clothing like NASCAR drivers.

Even lapel pins with sponsor's logos would be a big help.