Presidential Selection by Piggy Bank

Let us assume for an instant that most Americans believe that money should not play a role in elections. That in a perfect democracy, the issues and the candidates will be the deciding factors. Previous outrage over campaign fundraising, the McCain-Feingold Act, and proposals of government funding for campaigns stand as evidence that the desired intent is to limit the role of money in elections.

But what is the current reality?

For the last several weeks, the mainstream media has reported about nothing but the amounts of money the favored Presidential candidates have raised. They have portrayed the election as nothing but a money gathering exercise, with the election obviously going to the highest bidder. The election is over before it has begun, decided by money.

The media limits the number of candidates they will discuss or acknowledge, and then talk about the only issue that seems to be important, the amount of money in each candidate’s campaign fund.

To add insult to injury, the mainstream media provides 24x7 coverage to the candidates with the most money. These candidates already have all of the money, so why provide them with continuous free advertising?

The Solution

If we agree that campaign financing is an issue, and that money should not play such a big role, we all need to foster that idea. New laws won't help. We need help from the media.

We should give time to all Presidential Candidates. And let's give some time to candidates from parties other than the Democrats and Republicans. And even within the major parties, let's not dismiss the lesser financed candidates. It's a novel concept, but it would be more in line with the spirit of Democracy, and the principals our government was founded upon.

If we want money to be the only deciding factor in elections, we can continue talking about nothing but the money.

But if we truly want more diverse or innovative ideas, we must open the door to more candidates, and stop obsessing about the size of campaign piggy banks.