It's mid October and we're entering the home stretch of the buy and bribe season we call the election cycle.
The challenger who is not named Obama (no matter what Mitch says) has broken another state record for fundraising. She raised 4.9 million dollars from a little over 164,000 donors in 3 months.
Now that might sound good, but when you look at the startling efficiency of the Senator's fundraising efforts, you begin to wonder. Mr. McTurtle raised about 3.5 million dollars, but he only had to talk to 4 or 5 people to get it. Imagine what he could do if 164,000 people actually supported him?
I kid. Ms. Grimes' lead in the polls and fundraising is a good sign for those of us who want to see the end of Yertle's reign of error.
But while I'm glad Ms. Grimes is rocking the fundraising dance floor, I really can't say I like the music in this disco. I feel like I'm in an endless loop of "Hotel California" and, I promise you, that is the closest thing to hell that I can come up with on this much pay.
The only thing that lightens it for me is the delicious irony that Senator Mitch McConnell, the maestro of the money is speech orchestra, could very well be taken down by his own symphony. What a crescendo!
Before you get caught up in the melody of that, keep in mind it's really a one note tune. Money, money, money, money. If money is speech, then does no money equal no speech? You better believe it. He who spends the most money speaks the loudest. It's the world according to Koch.
For those of you asleep in civics class, it's government of by and for the people, not government of by and for the rich. Not government by and for the corporate lobbyist. Not government by and for the special interest.
So if Ms. Grimes actually pulls out the improbable and unseats Senator McMoney, I've got a few ideas that she should push in Washington. I'm not naive, I don't really think you can get all that money out of there. But we sure could spread it around a bit.
First, let's set a cap on donations by individuals to any candidate. If you want to donate more, fine. 100% tax on anything over the cap limit. The tax goes to the education fund of the state the election is in. It goes to the feds for presidential elections.
Next, let's keep all money spent on local elections local. In other words, no individuals outside Kentucky can donate to the current Senatorial race. No organizations outside the state either.
Third, if you're a for profit corporation, you've got no rights to be involved in elections. Period.
Finally, let's remove non-profit status from political organizations. Any political party or PAC should pay half of their income to the system they try so mightily to influence. I can't really come up with a thing political organizations are much good for, anyway, so might as well have them contribute to social security or something. If one day they decide to actually work for the country, we can always retune.