by Allen Smith

Created on: November 05, 2008   Last Updated: November 06, 2008

Having spent in excess of $600,000,000.00, it is hard to imagine anyone concluding that Mr. Obama did not buy the White House. One of the poorly kept secrets of this campaign is the fact that democrats raised millions of dollars from foreign sources. Aside from being illegal, despite the small individual sums, the question is why did so many people put so much money into Barack' hands?

Sadly, money is the deciding factor in most all elections, when you have money people will open their doors too you as you open your wallet. Those that contribute will always want something for their support. From the janitor in Newark to the movie star in Hollywood, from the school teacher in Sacramento to the Sheik in Saudi Arabia, people expect a return on their investment. The question is who will get what they paid for.

I believe it would foolish too expect that the little guy is going to see his $150.00 contribution, become his expected upward mobility or an increase in his stature in his neighborhood. However, the two or three million dollars that came from corporation A, or multinational B is expected to pay dividends for them, board room discussions about spending money always focus on returns: no expected return, no investment.

Only time will tell what all this money has purchased, it is my hope that the cost to our nation will not be further losses in liberty, but who can say with any surety what will happen in the future. Too many people have become lemmings willing to follow anyone promising something for nothing, so it may not matter too them that they may lose some freedoms to one degree or another: by the time you feel the sunburn, it is too late too prevent it. However, the question of whether or not the White House was bought during this election cycle is juxtaposed with the accusations of the same, leveled at conservatives for the last 38 years.

In every election where a Republican has been victorious, democrats screamed that the republicans bought the election. Republicans have been accused of voter fraud, intimidation, and disenfranchisement and voter suppression. While investigation after investigation proved unfruitful, it did not stop the cries from the left of cheating. While it is certain that manipulation is practiced where ever possible, both sides are equally guilty. That being said, I believe it is blatantly evident that marketing has become the most important element in the political process, and money is the only thing that makes a difference there. It is a sad commentary on the democratic process in America.

At one time, this country was the envy of the world for the open and considerate way we handled our elections. Americans were always more interested in substance than rhetoric, but those days are gone. It would be refreshing too see Americans ignoring flash bang commercials that sell candidates to the public, and instead seeking the core of a candidates value system and the way he, or she handles real leadership challenges. However, money will always trump reason.

I would suggest that all federal campaigns be publicly funded, no exceptions. We can adopt new rules with a set and equal amount of money for each candidate with strict accounting rules and no option to over spend, or opt out. This, coupled with a more defined campaign cycle limiting the endless campaign, should clean things up and give good, but financially limited candidates a real chance to succeed. Without these or similar restrictions, money will always triumph. Benjamin Franklin said "If you would persuade, you must appeal to interest rather than intellect" and nothing captures someone's interest like money.

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