Alms for the Almighty (Part I)

All these reports of first quarter contributions to all the lovely preliminary presidential campaigns truly make me sick to my stomach. Hunter S. Thompson once wrote, “Politicians are much slower than the people they want to lead.” (62) This was in the context of his covering the 1972 Democratic Primary, but it obviously still rings true today. Campaign finance reform is an issue that absolutely must be addressed sooner rather than later, for the situation is getting much worse before it gets any better.

I imagine that some, if not all the ‘major candidates’ have at least some conscience regarding what all that money they collect could do for people and causes that actually need eight-figure funding. They likely see the ends as justifying the means, but these means simply mean more money for the rich and powerful, leaving everyone else out to dry.

When I found out that John Kerry still had millions of dollars in his 2004 war chest after the election, I just about wanted to punch him in his droopy face! I certainly hope he at least has the decency to pass these funds along to someone deserving of them instead of, say, the Heinz Corporation adding a point or two to its share price.