Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Don't give me that do goody good bullshit


Money
Get away
You get a good job with good pay and you're okay
Money
It's a gas
Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash
New car, caviar, four star daydream
Think I'll buy me an election


Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

And his name is Tom Steyer,  a California businessman who is turning out to be the big spender in the Virginia gubernatorial race.  This is the same Santa Claus that spent $630,000 in the Massachusetts Democratic Primary for the Senate race between Steve Lynch and Ed Markey.

Not that I'm picking on Democrats

The Californian's major entry into political spending was when the Texas Koch brothers spent $1,000,000 in support of California Proposition 23 and I can't say I blame him.  It is particularly onerous when the primary factions funding state political measures don't live in the state and can't vote in the state.

National Elections Aside

Overt political funding in national elections is a slightly different matter, in that we all get to vote in national elections.  Despite the obvious problem of folks like George Soros and Sheldon Adelson spending tens of millions... they do have a voice and a vested interest in the outcome of the national election.  Whether or not there should be limits on the national stage is another matter.

Outside Influence in State Elections

The question you need to ask yourself,  is should a billionaire from California, or Texas for that matter, have such a significant say and outsized influence in another state of which they are neither a resident or a voter?  

Washington Post
Politico
Forbes
LA Times

 

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