NBC Congressional Correspondent Luke Russert reported on today's program that $4 billion dollars have been spent on this year's midterm elections, which of course prompted the question as to whether or not money is taking over American politics. While it's mildly commendable that the question would be raised at all since media companies like Comcast, which owns NBC, it's silly to even ask. With a disgustingly gaudy number such as $4 billion staring us in the face, it's more like to what extent is it dominating our political system.
Earlier this week, The Washington Post published a piece outlining how much politicians' wealth has increased over the years (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/10/22/so-just-how-rich-is-congress-richer-than-you/) so it's not difficult to decipher why the money is spent and who eventually benefits from it. Understandably, the system as is motivates politicians little to make any changes. It all stems from a cynical Supreme Court decision - the Citizens United ruling - that has allowed an unlimited amount of dark money (where donors do not have to be disclosed) that has nothing to do with the general welfare of a nation but the narrow agenda of a select few.
The results the American people see are the further enrichment of that select few, gridlock and dysfunction in Washington DC, more polarization between the political parties, and the increasing difficulty for the general populace to make ends meet.
Dan Balz, Chief Correspondent for The Washington Post, explained that everyone is sick of these political ads, even the producers that make them but there is too much money involved to say no. Chuck Todd offhandedly mentioned that it could jeopardize the two-party system, but we're not there yet. Mr. Todd also pushed the notion that the public wants to punish the Democrats without rewarding Republicans, the reward being control of both houses of Congress. This presumes that Democrats are solely at fault because they back the 'failed' policies of President Obama. If you disagree with the President's policies or not, that doesn't necessarily mean they are unsuccessful. For example, you would have to conclude that if the goal of the Affordable Care Act is to insure more people while slowing the growth in healthcare costs, you would have to deem that a success. However, if you own the hospital, you're making less profit so it's a failure.
No matter how the elections turn out - whether either party is punished or rewarded - today's panel seemed to think that little would change in terms of the gridlock. But from Mr. Todd's 'on the road' interviews, once again you see that the American public is ahead of its leaders. The final interview quote was a man in Wisconsin saying that you had to make friends with the people you were most afraid to make friends with, in terms of political viewpoint, which is another way of saying that it is all right to compromise. The sad reality is that there is no money in compromise, only in gridlock.
It's also clear that no matter what happens in the senatorial races, Harry Reid (D-NV) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY) are not the men who can fix Washington dysfunction. Hence, it's not encouraging to hear Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Rob Portman (R-OH) defend their respective leaders.
Mr. Todd explained that the two most important concerns in this election for voters are the economy and Washington gridlock. (Both go hand in hand.) Coupling that with what Mr. Balz said about the Ebola virus and ISIS providing a general foreboding over this election season, it's no wondering the American people are frustrated. All we want to see is our political leaders come together on something, anything instead of politicizing everything. Unfortunately, there's no money in that either.
Panel: Dan Balz, Chief Correspondent for The Washington Post; Luke Russert, NBC Congressional Correspondent; Caroline Ryan, The New York Times Washington DC Bureau Chief; Nia Malika-Henderson, National Political Reporter for The Washington Post
As for Dr. Fauci's now weekly Ebola update, the only way to stop the Ebola virus here is the eliminate it in West Africa as he explained. Quarantines and travel bans, though he was reluctant in disagreeing, Dr. Fauci said would be detrimental in accomplishing that goal where Dr. Sophie Delaunay, Ex. Dir. of Doctors Without Borders, stated is out of control. She also explained that the doctor in New York followed all the necessary protocols to safeguard against spreading the virus. On all this, we're still with Dr. Fauci in that we're going to put our trust in science and government. What else is there? You tell us!
And this is our 300th published post; thank you so very much for reading us.
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