[widebody911]

Originally posted by SoCal911SC
Why can't one give money to a campaign, in one's own self interest, and not expect something improper in return?

You must be

• horribly naive
• don't understand the system
• have a vested interest in the system

"People" giving campaign contributions isn't the problem, it's the millions coming in from private companies and political organizations that's the problem. And there's millions more changing hands that you never hear about.

Seriously - how is a campaign contribution any different than an outright bribe? People/organizations/companies give money to candidates and the party of sitting elected officials because they expect to get something in return, be it pork-barrel projects, favorable legislation, or maintenance of the status quo.

Period. If you believe otherwise, please consult the list above.

You simply can't get elected without money. To get that money, you have to look like a better horse to bet on than the other guy. To make sure you get the money for the next election, you have to actually deliver, or the other guy will get the funds next time.

Organizations that can raise and distribute large amounts of cash wield enormous of political power, because money talks and principle is left outside in a cardboard box in the freezing rain. That cash is then used to convice the tools out there in VoterLand that they are who the candidate is really care about.

What we need is a system to break the donor->cash->candidate->policy cycle.