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Texpat

TV advertising is a big cost. They also employ staffs for each state they're campaigning in. They travel a lot every day -- each stop can usually be measured in minutes. Maybe an hour for lunch or an hour for a proper speech. Some candidates just blow off certain states that they figure they're either a shoe-in or it's a lost cause. Many candidates also spend a lot of their own money on their campaigns.

I don't like the idea of blowing so much cash on "winning" the contest either, but if you don't raise some money and spend it wisely, you're toast.

Ideally, candidates would be judged purely on their platform, in a blind vote (voters wouldn't know if the candidate was a woman, a black or had three noses). Simply vote on the issues and the nation gets who they voted for ... ain't gonna happen.

AntRobertson

Yeah don't get me wrong though, I don't dispute that it's an expensive process nor think it's a waste of time (as you rightly point out candidates have to get their message out somehow). That being said though you would think there would be cheaper and more efficent options?

My concern with it is where the money comes from to pay for all this. Not in the sense that it's under-handed and shady, but that it comes with implicit 'favours' to be returned once the candidate's in office. The focus should be on the people, not paying back a 'favour' to some massive conglomerate or other.

[Edit]

I should also point out I'm referring to elections, big and small, in general. The US Primaries are just one of the more visable examples of this, happens pretty much in any eelection wherever it may be.

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William

^I think there is a maximum donation per person. In fact, if I recall, the amount is not all that much - about $1,000

That said, I think there are ways around this.

AntRobertson

^ I think the $1,000 applies to 'personal donations' as seperate and distinct from the much larger 'campaign contributions' which - as long as they are declared - have no upper limit that I'm aware of?

To be honest I'm not entirely sure myself; Tex or any other of our American members know the specifics?

Jet Gorgon

$2,300 is the current max

Milkman

^ Agree on Demos wanting to tax working folks - bad.

On Edwards and unions - unions are already dead.

Hootad Binky

Oh really? Let's compare tax rates of the Clinton administartion and GWB shall we?



GWB gave a big tax break to the super-rich, I believe, meanwhile the cost of living has increased during his tenure and wages stagnated; how does this benefit the middle class and working poor, compared to Clinton? Facts, please.

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Milkman

I agree with you. (But I don't know if you're referring to me.)

I was referring to the Democratic party - not Bill Clinton.

Yes, GWB gave tax cuts to the top, while the Middle Class slow sinks, every year, and the working class declines as well.

Both parties tax the middle class.

The trend of wage stagnation, and higher COL (cost of living) started about 35 years ago, and will continue.

Bill Clinton IMO, was one of the better Presidents the US has had many decades.

He also practiced the fiscal policy of "Pay as you go" as the deficit charts illustrates.

And good charts by you, Hootad.

I agree with you.

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Hootad Binky

The Democrats have a better record of managing the economy than the Republicans.



Less Cash in Their Pockets: Trends in Incomes, Wages, Taxes, and Health Spending of Middle-Income Families, 2000-03

Jet Gorgon

Hootad, the cost of living increases every year, no matter who is in office. Is that graph from Congress correct? I thought the defict was in trillions. And how is this measured? By the Treasury market's bond offerings.
Yep, things were so much cheaper in Clinton's era. Well, we don't live in that era and prices have increased for everything, or do you still pay the same amount for a quart of milk that you did in 2000?

The table with the 2000 and 2003 info based on 2003 dollars is another scam. How about basing it on 2000 dollar values?

Hootad Binky

If the poor receive insufficient educational assistance/job training, if the middle classes get no tax breaks and if wages stay flat then there is little or no benefit to those classes. Not really fair since American workers are now among the most productive in the world.

blackgang

SECURITY PHOTO

Psst!!! Hey ... This was sent to me by an associate in the surveillance field. I am sharing it with friends and family on a need to know basis. I cannot vouch for its validity but, if true, it could very well rock the foundation of this country.
SECURITY PHOTO: CONFIDENTIAL
The photo is a video capture from a security camera located in the North Corridor that leads to the Senate floor in the US Capitol Building .
This is classified material, so do not ask how or where I got it.
Please DO NOT FORWARD this. The repercussions could shake things up more than you can imagine .


[img]http://images31.fotki.com/v1093/phot...achment-vi.jpg[/img]

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Did you know the average male is 6 inches long, and the average female is 8 inches deep? So in New York City alone there is over 3 miles of unused pussy!

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Jet Gorgon

^ Ice maiden? 555

raycarey

this is nothing but regurgitated, sensationalistic propaganda which was originally devised to encourage working americans to vote against their own best interests.

as the country spirals into recession, the populist themes being put forth by edwards will resonate. he most likely won't get the nomination, but he will likely be 'king maker' at the convention.

Boon Mee

If the above doesn't take the snort-worthy post of the day, nothing else will!

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Jet Gorgon

^ 555 I had no backing or welfare when I went to uni. Worked weekends and nights to pay my way. I WORK to get what I want. I do not expect a fekin handout.

Boon Mee

Good on ya, Jet!
Bunchcha soft ****s these days want everything handed to them...

GooMaiRoo

The people crying for the biggest government handouts these days are US bond insurers Ambac, MBIA, etc... who are spiraling into bankruptcy. Corporate welfare here we come. American taxpayers, hold onto your wallets.

Getting back to the topic of this thread, America's corporate media continues to steer the public toward their approved candidates. When John ("100 more years in Iraq") McCain had a few good debates, he was all of a sudden portrayed as a comeback phenom before a single primary vote was cast. No such treatment in the press for populist John Edwards, who has also shined in recent debates. In the past week, Ron Paul came in 3rd in the Nevada caucus and 2nd in Louisiana. These results were barely reported.

Milkman

Welfare in the USA goes to corporations, and the military is a socialist welfare program that works on behalf of economic interests.

Yeah, he's the darling of the media.

Milkman

Julie Annie is tied for 3rd place in the Florida Primary for Jan. 29th.

Guliani and Huckabee will both fade, IMO. Romney and McCain will vie for the GOP nomination. Yes, it sounds like I'm parroting the article below.

And no, polling is not very reliable these days.

Link: Poll: Giuliani slips to third in Florida - 01/23/2008 - MiamiHerald.com