Bill Sykes' Newsletter
from America.
(October 2002)
An ex-Brit gives his views-(without fear
or favor)---of the American Scene
Political monetary shenanigans.
After several years of failure to obtain a campaign reform
bill, one was passed into law six months ago banning 'soft'
money, but of course the reforms are not being implemented,
due to the fact that an obscure agency, the ‘Federal
Election Commission’ is gutting the law which had
the prime purpose of banning Presidents and other political
officials from soliciting 'soft' money. (Soft money can
be best described as unlimited contributions from big business
organizations, labor unions, and the wealthy).
Apparently Presidents and Senators can still continue
to do what they’ve been doing for many years, as long
as they use a different language. The new FEC rules say
candidates for political office cannot ask for money, but
are free to suggest or recommend such contributions.
Politics are a dirty occupation and in many ways a corrupt
business.
We blame big business for their corrupt practices in the
boardroom but allow similar practices to flourish in the
political arena. So far in this election cycle the political
parties have raised record amounts of soft money. The Republicans
more than a $100M and the Democrats more than $70M.
I suppose the idea of the contributors is that somewhere
along the line you get what you paid for. !!!
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