Swift Boats for Veterans, a retraction?
Money and the purchasing of influence
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JoeUser Forums
JoeUser Forums
So today, after I wrote my initial thoughts on this subject, John McCain came out and called for an end to the third party, 501-C-4 advertisements supporting his campaing in South Carolina. For those of you not up on this subject, Rick Reed, who helped produce the famous Swift Boat ads during the doomed Kerry campaign, has been running spots supportive of McCain in South Carolina. Today, McCain denounced these advertisements. As I wrote earlier, I couldn't believe he would support the running of such ads. It is opposite what he believes, and what he tried to regulate, in the McCain/ Feingold Campaign Reform Legislation.
Some have written that this legislation should be ignored because it is out of date and doesn't work. I can only say this: I cover Washington politics. I am really upset by how money and donations steer legislation. By steer, I mean dictate. I've seen special interest groups sit in Congressional offices and write what would become proposed legislation. Imagine that -- special interests, groups looking out only for profit and their business bottom line -- dictating legislation to a member of Congress. No matter which side of the political spectrum you are, that should make your hair stand on end. By the way, both parties are guilty.
I sat in one meeting where a very pominent Republican Senator asked, "what exactly is Transfat and why should it be regulated." The response -- offered by a food manufacturer -- was "Transfat is shortening." "Oh," replied the member, "well I use that at home." "Exactly, so why regulate it?" was the next logical response.
How the hell does this all relate to McCain and 501-C-4 advertisements? McCain, at least, is one member I thought tried to follow his own moral compass. I was horrified that in this case it looked like that moral compass pointed South. However, in the end, he and I are on the same page. Thank God, I was afraid for a moment I might become even more jaded.
Some have written that this legislation should be ignored because it is out of date and doesn't work. I can only say this: I cover Washington politics. I am really upset by how money and donations steer legislation. By steer, I mean dictate. I've seen special interest groups sit in Congressional offices and write what would become proposed legislation. Imagine that -- special interests, groups looking out only for profit and their business bottom line -- dictating legislation to a member of Congress. No matter which side of the political spectrum you are, that should make your hair stand on end. By the way, both parties are guilty.
I sat in one meeting where a very pominent Republican Senator asked, "what exactly is Transfat and why should it be regulated." The response -- offered by a food manufacturer -- was "Transfat is shortening." "Oh," replied the member, "well I use that at home." "Exactly, so why regulate it?" was the next logical response.
How the hell does this all relate to McCain and 501-C-4 advertisements? McCain, at least, is one member I thought tried to follow his own moral compass. I was horrified that in this case it looked like that moral compass pointed South. However, in the end, he and I are on the same page. Thank God, I was afraid for a moment I might become even more jaded.
! and thanks for writing, M