It seems obvious now that George W is more concerned with stock holder value than the wishes and needs of his constituency. His energy policy is more about protecting energy providers than doing what's right for the electorate. George needs to realize who his customer is and start acting accordingly. But, what is even more sad is the fact that the American voters have been fooled once again by the corporate powered campaign machine with its slick TV blitz. We have only ourselves to blame when we see a president that is pandering to business and not acting in our best interest. Have we really changed that much from the British rulers from whence we came?

-- Steve Rasmussen (srasmuss@flash.net), June 16, 2001

Answers

Greetings, all,

If someone wants to run for his/her party's nomination for President, it's necessary to have millions even to do that. True to a lesser extent of any elected office.

Then, after nomination, when the ticket's in place, it takes multi- millions to run in the election.

Up around here, when developers want something to happen with various pieces of land around a city, they usually get their way. And when election time comes around, have you kept track of who supports the election expenses of the city fathers/mothers?

If we want our elected officials to give average citizens a fairly level playing field on which to operate, we'll have to fund the election campaigns ourselves.

Actually, in this area, when we make contributions to federal and provincial political capaigns, we get a credit on our income tax of 3/4 of the first portion, then half of a portion of larger amounts, later a third, I think, up to a maximum of a certain number of hundreds of dollars. Which encourages small political contributions - and enables us, if we choose, to make our politicians more beholden to us.

But how many contributions does a party get who refuse to accept corporate contributions? And wouldn't get many anyway, for they promote a people-centred agenda, which ain't the same.

Have you heard the old adage, "Him wot pays the piper - calls the tune!"?

Subvert the corporate agenda.

Good wishes to all.

Ed B.

-- Ed Baker (eddbaker@yahoo.com), July 22, 2001.