The hackneyed phrase, “Money is the root of all evil,” is not trite at this moment because it has never been more spot-on. Across the globe, we find corrupt governments, and in America, we are no longer exceptional. The question is, what needs to change, right here, in the United States? Depressingly, the phrase “Follow the money” is a derivative of the movie “All the President’s Men,” in 1976.
1976. Depressing, primarily because what needs to change will not.
Outlaw all campaign donations. Yes, no political action committees, no Citizen’s United, no corporate or individual contributions. I don’t seek to ignite another conspiracy theory, but this shadowy world of campaign funding smells. It merits investigation and should start with responsible journalism. Dig into it, New York Times, Washington Post, because the billions of dollars passing between just a few hands cannot be good for anyone other than those touching the stuff. It’s hard to believe there isn’t money laundering going on. Too many people are swimming in this cesspool and emerging as not just millionaires but mega-rich. I don’t know what’s going on, but I think someone smarter than me needs to pull the curtain back.
Eliminate political campaign advertising. We did it with another disgusting, damaging product — tobacco. The reason we won’t do it is as much centered on our media industry as it is the political class. Billions of dollars are at stake, and the recipients are the predators of our culture and national character.
Outlaw all advertising on political television shows, print media, and social media. Get rid of it. It is killing our democracy. Anyone can say what they want. That is our right as Americans. That doesn’t mean we have to pay them for it or support the channels that promulgate toxicity. Again, this would disrupt the business model of American media, and the most powerful people in America will not tolerate disruption to their gravy train — no matter that it is cancer to our greater good. Still, there are other avenues to the public through such programming, but the revenue must be subscription-based. As it sits, no one knows if the talking heads and pundits believe what is coming out of their mouths, but we can be sure they are astute enough to know what you want to hear. Eyeballs = $.
Dismantle the lobbyist ecosystem. Make it illegal to lobby the government — from the bottom of the food chain to the pinnacle of preeminence in our nation’s capital. These people have no interest in the greater good but instead lubricate the system to benefit their club. They take a heavy hand, I am convinced, in authoring our legislation. Whatever they do, they don’t operate in the interest of America.
Cap or eliminate entirely the amount that any candidate can self-fund their campaigns. Equalize the combatants and make them work to get their message out. Hell, go on a whistle-stop tour. Do newspaper and magazine interviews.
Term limits have been a topic in the national conversation for decades. It’s way past time to make it happen, but I will reiterate, it won’t. It won’t because we are tethered to a corrupt government enjoying a river of cash into their pockets.
Set aside the reality of human nature and fantasize for a moment that we could wrestle-out the money that fuels corruption in our government. What kind of person would aspire to public office? Could it be they would be sincere, authentic human beings?
People scratch their heads, wondering why Republican sycophants live in fear of Donald Trump. Such people embrace or at least make excuses for his steady stream of vulgarity, hate, dog whistles, and lies, no matter how divisive and insane they are. Many of their numbers can’t bring themselves to call out domestic terrorists and QAnon. Let’s be clear. While reforming our entire system of symbiotic political class and media is essential, today’s Republican Party is beyond the pale with alternative facts, conspiracy theories, and racism.
They aren’t “afraid” of Trump. They are afraid of losing their spot at the money trough.
