Money, Lies and the whole shebang

I recently read this bit of news on the BBC website, it's about the American presidential candidates fundraising campaign for this year's elections:

Mr Romney now has $107m cash on hand, almost matching the $115m Mr Obama's campaign had by the end of April.

I don't live in the US, I'm not an American citizen either, so I might not understand exactly what's going on over there. So that's why I have a question for you, Americans or not:

Why do they need all that money for the elections?

And a subsequent question: doesn't most of that money go into consultants' fees and cleverly mastered advertising, that in the end, tells the voters a bunch of half-lies in a subtle and convincing way? Can't that money be used for something truly useful?

Everything you see in regards to a candidate has to be planned, prepared, supported and paid for.  Signs, buttons, bumper stickers.  Phone calls, dinners, forums, travel.  Staff to do all the work.  All part of the campaign budget.
Did you know on our income tax forms we can contribute $3.00 "tax free" to the election campaigns?  Almost anything can be a campaign expense.  Clothing, transportation, lodging, meals.  Basically everything we see or hear regarding a candidate has to be paid for. 
Of course, there are certain things you should *not* use the money to finance.  Like your mistress or your personal bills. 
Of course, also, the money could go to ending hunger or fighting disease, or education.  So could a LOT of other money flowing out there in the world.  Politics is big business and requires big checkbooks.  I'm sure someone else can add much more regarding this subject.  This is just off the top of my head.

Why do they need it?  Because the other candidate has it.  You can't win if you aren't in the game.  That's why our independant candidates rarely win in any major elections.  They can't compete with Daddy Warbucks...lol

Thanks for the details Chilly.

Side note: We're having local elections today back here in Bucharest, Romania, and there's a lot of hype surrounding an independent candidate, one that does not have the money to compete with the big fat candidates that are supported by the main political parties. I voted for him, my friends voted for him, but I doubt he'll be the next mayor even though he's by far the best candidate.

Great question.....although a great answer will never exist!  Many people think they know more than they actually do, and recite a bunch of statistics in an attempt to sound intellectual.  When in reality, unless you're one of the financial advisors on a campaign, you're completely oblivious to what goes on, period!  Remember, were talking politics here......smoke & mirrors, the greatest dog & pony show on earth!  The few individuals that actually have the knowledge and answers, as to what goes on financially behind closed campaign doors, are full of just as much bullshit as the politician they represent!  Let's face it, transparency has never been a staple of politics, and keeping information from the public eye can draw in big bucks from those who don't want to be exposed for the corrupt criminals they truly are.  In my honest opinion, it's nothing more than a glorified money laundering scheme!  Where'd the money come from? Where did it go? What was it spent on?  Truth is......we'll never know! (these are politicians we're talking about afterall)

Why do they need all that money for the elections?

Johnny that is a really good question... they need it so they can tell their lies and make promises they will never keep louder and more often to more people than the other parties candidate in hopes of winning the election.

Where do they get the bulk of the money?

Most of it comes from big money supporters with their own agendas that they hope to further by their financial support of their candidate of choice when they win the election.

Just one girl's opinion...

katt

Katt, your answers are those I was afraid of. But I think that they are true, unfortunately.

One thing Johnny, that everyone should remember. The POTUS is just a "Figurehead" with some power. Thje REAL main source of power is CONGRESS. The President can only "sign" bills/Legislation he cannot pass laws. That's where congress comes in and is our most sore spot.

Years before Reagan, Cllinton, Bush Sr and Jr ALL did one thing and that was work with congress. Obama has had nothng but a contentious attitude with the Republicans and even the people of his own party!

While some complain about Reagan tripling govt, Clintons "Smoke and mirrors" and Bushs starting a war, they all did it with permission from congress.

Now I'll put away the soapbox.

Johnny,
Here's a picture (it is worth a thousand words) just for you...

The true faces of politicians...

katt

We had an elections this May and we had one of the worst campaigns ever. They completely forgot to lie to us (they don't even bother anymore). They spent the entire campaigns trying to persuade us which side was worse and now they are going to form the government together.