Like Diogenes, we should hold a lantern to the political face of America to see if honesty is revealed there. Diogenes found only rascals and scoundrels when he lifted his lamp to the citizens of Athens over 25 centuries ago. The Greek philosopher concluded what we now must confess about our political system: it is dishonest and shameful.
My awakening to grassroots campaign financing began when I sent three donations, ten dollars each, to candidates whom I supported during the national 2020 quadrennial elections. At the time, I considered my paltry contributions more symbolic than substantiative, a way to participate in the American political process. Please, I don’t want to continue that participation. It’s worse than getting a free dinner in exchange for listening to a three-hour time-share sales pitch. I’ll tell you why.
A few days ago, I received half a dozen requests for donations from Democratic candidates—governors, senate and house aspirants—and from other political mucky-mucks such as former President Obama, James Carville, and Nancy Pelosi. Elizabeth Warren begs for money nearly every single day, sometimes twice a day. Today I received messages from Amy Klobuchar, Val Demings, and Joe Biden, each getting right to the point, which is I must send money right now. Can’t wait any longer. If I don’t contribute now everything is ruined. Fascism will rule America. Forever. These pleas are straightforward and unceasing—as I hinted, half a dozen or more each day without shame. Usually the request includes a deadline, “We must meet our goal by midnight, so send at least (a suggested dollar amount here, usually somewhere between 5 and 100 dollars).” Goes without saying that their deadline is not my deadline, but they do whip up a sense of urgency. Not only that, but they also insist that I should make contributions automatic, revolving gifts, so I don’t have to bother with details. They will take care of everything. Just check this box, and your gift will come right out of your credit card account monthly. In other words, give us access to your wallet, and we’ll take care of future donations. Except it won’t take care of future donations, will it, because other worthy candidates will have your email address and will want easy access to your wallet as well.
Sure, I asked for it because I sent a few bucks to the campaigns of progressive candidates. Because of my email address coupled with my contributions, I ended up on everybody’s list. I even received a note from an elect-Trump organization saying that I had ignored their messages and further that I would be a traitor if I refuse to send money immediately. For the life of me, I have no idea how that semiliterate buffoon’s backers got my name and email address. Maybe one of my friends forwarded my name as a joke? Point is, grassroots political fund-raising amounts to harassment more than a virtuous contribution to the political health of out nation. Sure, one usually finds a small print “unsubscribe” link to click, but contact lists are universally shared, so asking off one list will do little to stem the flow of online panhandlers.
How would you like it if everywhere you went a half-dozen beggars followed you with their hands out, all mumbling, “Spare change, pal?”
The larger point here is simply this: from top to bottom everything is wrong with the way we fund political campaigns. No, some billionaire should not be able to provide millions to his or her favorite candidate, but contributions are easily funneled through Super PACS that know no limits. No, PACs should not shovel unlimited dollars to buy favor from their chosen puppet. And no, our elected officials should not have to spend a giant share of their time soliciting money so they can stay in office only to raise more money, all the while overlooking their duties of office. Figures doesn’t it, that if I donate $100, I’ll get a thank-you note. If I donate a million dollars, I’ll get a whole lot more.
Strikingly, raising money for candidates is an enormous part of what is wrong with our democracy. The wealthiest people in the country want their representatives in government to do their bidding, which is, one way or another, to serve the self-interest of the would-be donor. Congresspersons and senators are essentially marionettes saying the lines and performing their rehearsed duties for the self-dealing one who funds their campaign. That is wrong. The grocery clerk, police officer, and small shop owner have little say in the matter. Though the middle class goes mostly unserved in our political order, big money interests keep unfulfilled promises coming each election cycle. We never learn, do we? What we want is not figured into the equation. In short, special interests trump the common good. That’s American politics right now. That’s the American way.
Though I wasn’t a big Bernie fan, I like what he said about the unfair American economic and political systems, rigged against all but the powerful and wealthy: “Enough is enough.”