View source for 2011/09/04/Voters' zero-sum faceoff with wealthy campaign donors

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[[title/short::Voters' zero-sum faceoff with wealthy campaign donors]]
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* '''when''': [[when posted::2011/09/04]]
* '''author''': [[author::Jude Folly]]
* '''source''': [[site::personal blog]]
* '''topics''': [[topic::financial political influence]] [[topic::economic disparity/US]]
* '''keywords''' 
* '''link''': [[URL::http://judefolly.squarespace.com/blog/2011/9/4/voters-zero-sum-faceoff-with-wealthy-campaign-donors.html]]
* '''title''': [[title::Voters' zero-sum faceoff with wealthy campaign donors]]
* '''summary''': <call func=smw.let.echo key=Summary>"While most citizens gripe about politicians or "the system" for operating beyond their influence--do any voters understand the "how" and "why" when elite interests wield far greater force?"</call>
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<p>The way [[financial political influence|torrents of cash saturate political campaigns]], the most [[accountability]] can hope to achieve is [[talking-point]] status. What often looks like wilful passivity of on the part of voters enables a breach between what the electorate intends and what the highest bids for influence actually achieve.</p>

<p>Here lies the influence gap that privileges corporations and monied interests over everyone else. If you don't believe this gap is a meaningful factor in the poor representation we endure today, let's have a look at an interview snippet quoting Congressman [[Spencer Bachus]] (R-Ala.) in his district's newspaper, The Birmingham News. The occasion for the Dec. 8, 2010 conversation was his appointment as chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.</p>

<p>"In Washington, the view is that the banks are to be regulated," the congressman pontificated, "and my view is that Washington and the regulators are there to serve the banks."</p>
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