MoneyGame

So, the last quarter of fund raising for federal candidates is behind us.  The media will be concentrating their coverage once again, not on issues or positions, but on how much the candidates raised for their campaigns.  Anymore, that seems to be what is important.  It also requires little work by reporters to regurgitate the reports.  I liken it to the contest every Monday in the media that tells us  how much money particular movies made.  At least the media provides movie reviews with paid critics.

When I started running for office back in 1981 the money machines had not  yet been tuned up.  A person of middle class means who did not want to sell his soul could still run a race and be elected because the special interests still had not gotten a death hold grip on politics through their bank vaults.  I won my first primary election for State Land Commissioner with a paltry sum of 60K in contributions.  The oil and gas industry favorite out spent me two to one but that wasn't enough in those days to swing the election.  Today the oil boys would go ten to one or more to defeat someone they haven't anointed.

I don't know if the public responds to the money contest, but I suspect they do.  After all, the one who gets the most money must be the winner in some peoples minds, don't you think?  It doesn't seem to matter where that money came from though.  That is one thing I have noticed in a political career.  If  you pointed out that some one's money was tainted no one would pay attention unless it involved a donor with some sex crime background.  I am being serious here.  I have seen it happen.

So prepare  yourselves for a few days of the Money Game.