Robert Reich on Government ReformFormer Secretary of Labor; Democratic Challenger MA Governor | |
As for politicians, they have not grown noticeably more corrupt, rapacious, or otherwise irresponsible than they were 3 decades ago. Politics has no more rotten apples than most corporations, although other occupations are typically spared the rotten headlines. In recent decades, however, politicians have been subjected to a great deal more lobbying than before, and the need for more money to finance their campaigns has grown. For this reason, their behavior has changed. The immense increase in lobbying and campaign money, however, is not due to any increase in the market power of any individual corporation; it stems, paradoxically, from a decrease in their market power.
Here's how it works. A wealthy individual receives an invitation to have coffee with a Congressman. The photograph memorializing the coffee chat, complete with signature, hangs on the person's office wall.
What does this mean for the wealthy individual in incalculable. Suddenly he has become a person of influence.
Standing on a wooden box behind the lectern, Reich, who is 4�10� tall, drew laughs when he declared himself to be �the only candidate with a real platform.�
Here's how it works. A wealthy individual receives an invitation to have coffee with a Congressman. The photograph memorializing the coffee chat, complete with signature, hangs on the person's office wall.
What does this mean for the wealthy individual in incalculable. Suddenly he has become a person of influence. Such a reputation is valuable to him socially & financially.
In return, the politician may or may not get a campaign contribution directly from the wealthy individual. But through the wealthy individual the politician gains access to a network of wealthy people: the individual's friends & business colleagues. These new contacts may have previously harbored misgivings about the politician's values or objectives. But now the wealthy individual's relationship to the politician reassures them.
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Other pundits on Government Reform: | Robert Reich on other issues: |
Opinion Leaders on the Right: Milton Friedman (Nobel Economist) Rush Limbaugh (Radio Talk Show Host) Ayn Rand (Author and Philosopher) Heritage Foundation (Think Tank) Libertarian Party Republican Party Ronald Reagan(President,1981-1989) Joe Scarborough (Former Congressman; Radio Host) Opinion Leaders on the Left: American Civil Liberties Union Noam Chomsky (Author and Philosopher) Arianna Huffington (Internet Columnist) Robert Reich (Professor and Columnist) Howard Schultz (CEO of Starbucks) Green Party Democratic Party John F. Kennedy(President,1961-1963) |
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