JS>KK>That's right, the Democrats have only half the money to spend that
JS>KK>the Republicans have.  Most of the Republican money comes
JS>KK>from the Fortune 500.  And as we all know, whoever spends the most
JS>KK>money on each candidate has proven their Constitutional right to
JS>KK>dictate the behavior of that candidate.  After all, in America, if
JS>KK>you have more money, you obviously have more rights.  Isn't that
JS>KK>the American way?
JS>A. No it isn't. Just look at the cases of Jim Bakker and Leona
JS>Helmsely. Both went to Federal Prison yet both had tons of money.
I was being facetious, but only partly so.  Another poster mentioned
that your ability to raise campaign money is a marker of your ability
to raise support, but I think that's only valid at the local level
anymore.  Consider that it costs millions of dollars to get a
Senate seat these days.  So who has millions of dollars?  You?  No.
Me?  No.  So who does?  And we're kidding ourselves if we think
that money isn't buying a compliant candidate.  It affects both
parties, and look how it biases the whole process away from
the American people as a whole.  That's why there will never
be anything like real campaign reform.
JS>B. Speaking of money. Did you conveniently forget the left coast, ie.
JS>Hollywood?  How many "actors" producers, and directors do you honestly
JS>think contribute to the RNC or Republicans in general?
I have no idea.  I'm not sure what your point is here.  One of the
dirty little secrets of the whole ideological Hollywood controversy
is that putting increasing amounts of sex and violence into movies
is a very sound, conservative, practical way to make a lot of money.
If you reply that liberal values are being put into Hollywood
movies, I will reply that the absolutely amazing amounts of
violence in many of those movies is hardly an expression of
liberal values, yet there it is.  And there's a reason:  it's a
good investment.
I recall that there were some wealthy Hollywood contributors
to Clinton's '92 campaign, and who probably got him into that
idiotic fiasco about the 'gays in the military' thing.
But you have to recall that California also produced a Senator
known as "B-2 Bob" (I've forgotten his last name), who was also
known by his critics as "The Senator From Lockheed."  And he was
from the 'left coast.'  It works both ways.
The more expensive national politics becomes, the farther it is
shifted away from the American people, no matter where they are
on the political spectrum.
 * SLMR 2.1a * .    Wisdom consists in knowing when to avoid perfection.
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