This week National Public Radio reported that for the first time in history a presidential candidate had crossed the pond to raise funds overseas. Rudy Giuliani was visiting England to receive an award. He also had plans to meet and greet Americans living overseas and collect more money for his treasure chest. Bill Clinton will be following on behalf of his wife, candidate Hillary Clinton. Then Michelle Obama will be arriving to raise funds for her husband, candidate Barack Obama.
Do they really have to go overseas for more money? Can't they raise enough here at home? How much more do they need? How much does it cost to go overseas and raise more money? How much will it cost to become President in 2008? How much is enough?
Well, I think enough is enough. I think we passed enough a long time ago. Fifteen presidential candidates have raised over a million dollars each for their campaigns. Together they have raised $293,241,008.00.http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/cancomsrs/ And we still have more than a year to go before election night.
There are many other people who are collecting money for the presidential race according to the Federal Election Commission. I haven't heard of most of them. I also have no clue as to their views are on Iraq, terrorism, taxes, the environment or anything else. But maybe one of them has some really good solutions to our problems. We will never know because they aren't loaded. It is no longer possible for a brilliant, charismatic, middle income American to become President.
There has to be a better way to find the best man for the job. There has to be a better way to get the candidate's message out than spending millions to get a fortunate few's ideas presented. Do the American people really want only the rich becoming the President?
People smarter than me must have good ideas to stop the huge waste of spending. Media could allow each legitimate, qualified candidate a certain amount of free time and print. The candidates could not spend any of their own money on campaigning. Or maybe a telethon could be broadcast to raise campaign funds. Of course there would have to be entertainment to up the donations. Then all the money raised would be equally divided among the candidates. All the candidates would be on an even playing field.
We need to get mad at the ridiculous waste. The American people should demand better. I am sure there are many, many more important places we could spent $293,241,008.00.