Why you’ll never be president feeling that it is only people with money and power (money equals power) that have any real say or clout. In fact, this was seared into my brain a few days ago. A news anchor for one of the “filthy four” (ABC ,NBC ,CBS FOX) very matter-of-factly was discussing cam paign finances, and how our current President has nearly unlimited, ungodly, obscene amounts, as does his most likely opponent, John Kerry. Basically, if you have money in your coffers, you too can run for President. If you don’t, well, sometimes you get a bum deal there champ. This acceptance of political prostitution as’ the norm shapes not only the so called news, but also the politics and policies of our great nation. Those who are involved in politics get money from political action groups and lob byists-both of whom many times are not looking out for the greater good of the American people. With this money comes endorsements such as, free travel, free dinners, corporate board seats, and an array of other niceties that the average disgusting slob will never experience. You may sit on my lap and ask, “Uncle Marko, how much money are we talk ing about?” Uncle Marko will tell you: a lot. No, really. Based on FEC data released on February 9,2004, the top ten Blue Chip investors had donated $185,420,033. Granted, the amount that went to the Evil Twins (Republicans and Democrats) varied, with certain industries “preaching to the choir” (the fi industry gave more to the Democrats while tobacco gave more to the Republicans). The more intelligent businesses didn’t get involved in ideological perversions with their donations. Goldman Sachs was the smartest, giving the Republicans and Democrats a 50/50 split of the mere $2,342,633 they contributed so far in 2004. The National Association of Realtors followed them, giving the Democrats 52 percent, and the Republicans 48 percent of their $1,345,456 “donation” to the American political process. Some might say, “It is the nature of the beast.” Not so, since this was not what the founding fathers practiced, and in reality, it is a dictatorship of money, not for the good of the people and the nation, but for specif ic businesses, industries, and Now, am I complaining about big business? No, I am not. Our nation is built on and remains well off monetarily because of big business. What I am criticizing is the hypocrisy of both parties in their lambasting each other’s Above: Possible scenario if there is se "- no reform. Marko engages in p anC j “special interests” while cal re-education” of a press agitator. both are receiving their | By MARKO PRIMORAC Democracy is wonderful. It gives all people who want to participate in the democratic process a voice, and it is an inherently good thing. Democracy means freedom, individuality, and most importantly, equality. Or does it? Watching the corporate conglomerate “news,” I get a Staff Reporter special interest groups, many of which serve foreign inter ests that are not in tune with American interests or democ racy in general. It’s un- American. Above: “His Lord Protectorship in all of his greatness.” Photos by Eric Thomas “donations” in droves from the bottom up, in both parties (yes, even the saintly and innately good Democrats sell their loving liberal souls to corporate and spe cial interest, “it is the nature of the beast, an established part of our political process.” Seriously, I don’t want to come off as some backwoods, bomb-throwing Nazi- Communist-Anarchist-Baathist radical, but the fact remains that our current elec tion process and the extraordinary amount of unnecessary money involved is not healthy for progress. It’s high time Washington cleans up its act. Otherwise, I may just have to take over the whole circus myself.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers