09-24-2004, 12:54 PM
Hi,
The USA has, over its history, become 'election crazy'. There are scads of offices for which people are campaigning. And any argument for free airtime for presidential candidates applies just as well on all these lower levels. However, even if it were restricted to presidential candidates, that would still give access to many people (even more, I'm sure, if indeed one had free access). While you may see the report of only two candidates, or in some rare cases where there has been some notoriety a third like Perot or Nader, there are actually many candidates running. To restrict it to the two main candidates (which we so often do in effect) is to further entrench the two party system that is so great a bane of this nation.
Term limits, campaign funding reform, free airtime, etc. are only band-aids which do nothing to cure a system which is falling apart under the weight of obsolete customs and political corruption. However, this country does not have the will it had two and a quarter centuries ago. The possibility of throwing the bastards out (again) and starting over with a new form more suited to the modern realities is so slim it is well nigh invisible. Until that changes, politics (at least in the USA) will remain a four letter word, and politicians will share the scumhood of lawyers.
--Pete
The USA has, over its history, become 'election crazy'. There are scads of offices for which people are campaigning. And any argument for free airtime for presidential candidates applies just as well on all these lower levels. However, even if it were restricted to presidential candidates, that would still give access to many people (even more, I'm sure, if indeed one had free access). While you may see the report of only two candidates, or in some rare cases where there has been some notoriety a third like Perot or Nader, there are actually many candidates running. To restrict it to the two main candidates (which we so often do in effect) is to further entrench the two party system that is so great a bane of this nation.
Term limits, campaign funding reform, free airtime, etc. are only band-aids which do nothing to cure a system which is falling apart under the weight of obsolete customs and political corruption. However, this country does not have the will it had two and a quarter centuries ago. The possibility of throwing the bastards out (again) and starting over with a new form more suited to the modern realities is so slim it is well nigh invisible. Until that changes, politics (at least in the USA) will remain a four letter word, and politicians will share the scumhood of lawyers.
--Pete
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?