A Conversation for How the U.S. Congress betrayed its people
Buying Votes
GreyDesk Started conversation Mar 2, 2002
What specifically are the new rules proposed in the legistlation? If it can stop a rich minority interest buying undue power and influence over an elected representative, then that can only be a good thing.
We have a situation in the UK where by rich donors to political parties have called in the favour and have got things of benefit to them. Stuff like UK passports so that they could avoid prosecution in their own country (India). Help and support in fixing up deals to buy companies, which would actually be detrimental to UK workers. The list goes on...
The issue of how to finance political activity is a tricky one. For example in the UK, political parties are funded by membership and corporate donations for their running costs. When it comes to election time, money is available equally to all candidates to fund their own local elections.
Political advertising in the broadcast media has always been banned. The exception being that political parties can make a short programme which will be shown on all channels. There is one of these a day in the run up to the election, and the distribution between the political parties standing is based upon their previous election success and the number of candidates that they have standing in the election.
Advertising in the print media is allowed. With the parties purchasing as much as they can afford. This is probably of limited value to the parties as each newspaper in the UK has a tightly defined editorial stance, left, right or centre. And the readership of the paper for the most part reflects this, so the ad is either preaching to the converted or a total waste of money.
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As to your original question in your e-mail to me. This piece would not make it into the edited version of the guide in its present form, as it is written from one perspective only. That said, it is in the unedited guide by sheer fact that you've written it, and it is already available to all.
Buying Votes
Moatas; Muse of American Ways Posted Sep 1, 2002
Don't be a twit! No one will find it here and I'm sure you know that.
I searched for it and I couldn't find it. I guess the freedom of speech has already been cut down and hidden and lied about. When they came and took the people who were black, I did nothing because I'm not black. When they came and took the people who were teachers, I did nothing because I am not a teacher. Now when they come to take me away, there will be no one left to do anything because I did not stop them. Think about that when you read about smokers and SUV's and such. When they come to stop you from one of your freedoms, where will everyone else be? Just a thought, night, sleep well, if that's still allowed.
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Buying Votes
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