Of course, large blocks of voters get "favors" as well. There is a reason the AFL-CIO endorses a particular candidate and that the candidates actually desire that endorsement (many other large groups like this as well). I cant help but think that "favors" come to them as well. Politics is all about the art of compromise (you scratch my back and I will scratch yours) and the use of power. Power comes in many forms: Votes, Money, Public Relations...
Can money be used to further ones or a companies objective? Of course... Is it a guarantee? NO. I work for a company that has spent millions on lobbying and donations in order to get tougher laws on environmental polution from cars. Has the company I work for gotten their way? No.
When a company wants to put a factory in your county, they ask for certain relief or benefits on taxes. Is this wrong? Of course not, but the company IS using its money for "favors" from the county. It isnt always bad.
Just a thought,
Vincenzo
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 863 86.3%
QUOTE (Vincenzo @ 14-Jan 05, 9:08 AM) |
When a company wants to put a factory in your county, they ask for certain relief or benefits on taxes. Is this wrong? Of course not, but the company IS using its money for "favors" from the county. It isnt always bad. |
International Level: New Activist / Political Participation: 21 2.1%
In my opinion we are still a Republic and the only threat to that is the Socialist left. That being said I think it is wrong to think that big business is running anything, afterall it is the government that that applies all the regulations and restrictions against big business. This results in the big business protecting it self by flooding lobbyist with cash dollars to donate (give) to any politician that will listen. It is the government that holds us at bay not big business. If the government were smaller like most republicans want and they left big business alone we would see an enormous change in our economy and world opinion.
The United States of Plutocracy
By William Pfaff
It would be cheaper for all concerned if business were directly to pay senators and congressmen and eliminate the middlemen, the parasites that live on the surplus money in this system, paid for their ability to persuade both sellers and buyers (so to speak) that they are providing a service by facilitating the bargain. Elections now cannot take place without them. Ref. Source 8