Money and Politics

[Chris Carson <cscarson@earthlink.net>]

My 'personal story' concerns last year's March primary in California.  Two Democrats were running for nomination for State Senate.  One was young, hard working and well rounded, interested in a number of issues. The other was much older, a nice guy, oriented to one issue and not nearly as dynamic.  The younger candidate while in the Assembly voted against the Indian Gaming bill for reasons of conscience.  The older man, while in the Assembly, voted for it.  During the primary, the older man was literally flooded with money from the Indian/State Prison Guards PAC, and from the Insurance Companies PAC.  The Indian Gaming group had publically stated that it was out defeat the younger candidate.  And since the older man had been chairman of the Assembly Insurance Commision, you can all guess why they contributed.

Of course, the older man won.  So a very able, dynamic man's political career has been derailed.  And we have a State Senator who we all know is just about finished with his short lived career and is going to retire and rest on his laurels after this next term.

I do want to say that this Money/Politics connection has always been with us.  Huge amounts have always been contributed by people who want to protect their interests.  That is only natural. In the 19th century it was a standard joke that the U.S. Senate represented the trusts, not the people.  The difference now is that we have access to more information about the issue. And we think we should do something about it.  This is certainly a step in the right direction.