A Eureka moment!

[Oldbee]

While contemplating the recent threads about health care and wellfare last night, I had a dream;...'I Have A Dream",.......... a Eureka moment!

At this time of year [every two/four] we will see many and many political ADS on the TV. for this candidate or that. During the 'news' especially we will see 3-5 ads with 'approoval' by the candidate of course. What do you think? When you've seen one ad, you've seen them all, right? During the Super Bowl, an 'ad' costs $millions of dollars and the same is true for political ads.

My 'solution': If you can afford $1000.00 a plate for a fund raising event for the candidate of your choice, you can 'afford' a [another] $1000.00 contribution to a 'special' fund for health care for those that can't afford it, [minimum wagers].

Whenever you check the box on your income tax form to 'contribute' to the campaign; for every dollar contributed, $.50 will be deducted from your,....'refund' or tax 'loophole'.

We could try at first to 'limit' expenditures for any political campaigning to six months before an election and then try 3 months. Every candidate would be required to present her/his 'political' agenda and beliefs 6 months before the election. If any candidate should fail these requirements, any votes they should happen to accrue would be disqualified.

For those who can contribute $10,000 or more to any particular candidate, another $10,000 would be 'deducted' from your,..'income' and put into the general health care fund.

A comment about political ads, TV. or others.

You do realize this is money 'DOWN THE TOILET' don't you?? More or less?? Think of all the money wasted on these ads that could be 'donations' to a worthwhile cause. But NO, it is money down the toilet for a few moments of 'fame' for someone that we 'watch' on the TV.,.............for only a few moments, while little do 'they' know, we have ALREADY made up our minds, which one of youse,....we are gonna vote for.

Over and over again,................money spent ,...down the toilet. Well,..except for ABC. CBS. and NBC, but do they contribute to your health insurance costs?

[dhood]

My 'solution': If you can afford $1000.00 a plate for a fund raising event for the candidate of your choice, you can 'afford' a [another] $1000.00 contribution to a 'special' fund for health care for those that can't afford it, [minimum wagers].



I commend you for trying to find a solution. But the problem is bigger than that. Do you realize that (minimum wagers) are not the only ones struggling to provide health insurance. I spend $186.00 a week on health insurance because I work for a small company:doh:. Thats just for my wife and kids, the boss pays 100% of mine. I don't like the idea of some rich folk, giving me charity to pay my bills:no:. When times get tuff, I'll do what it takes. But, the solution is going to have to be lowering the cost all around. Thats what its going to take. I kind of like what I've heard from MCCain about the 5,000 tax deductable. That would cut my cost nearly in half. Although, I'm not sure how the medical tax is going to work.:scratch:

[tecumseh]

as always, a well thought out question oldbee (*my own eureka moment a bit later).

the aspect of current politics that has troubled me for quite some time oldbee (you have indirectly allude to this yourself) is the undeniable econmic connection between politics and the media (and for the ditto heads on board... denying you are a part of the mainstream media don't make it so). it does seem to me (via casual observation) that each and every political season the money required to be competitive in any race (local, state, federal) grows exponentially... money which is then lavished on media of various forms to promote this or that person's campaigne.

can anyone then question why media sources are quite content with churning discontent... or why political or media actors really have no desire to resolve issues or social conflict.

it certainly seems to me if 'the system' was lavishing that kind of money on me I wouldn't desire to solve problems either...

*my eureke moments of the week was watching several newly hatch cordovan queens (newly mated but not laying quite yet). oh wow... how absolutely beautiful.

[Oldbee]

Thank you for your thoughts and comments, dhood and tecumseh.

I confess I don't get all excited [OK. S. Palin is 'foxy' but you don't know who I will vote for] and make political donations at this time of year but this is something that REALLY bothers me. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/13/2389863.htm?section=world

And you all think we cannot have a SYSTEM, whatever you decide, that would help to relieve healthcare costs for those whom it has become VERY expensive!!! Give me a break!!

One statement in this news article that stands out for me is: "An innovation in this race has been the use of the internet to raise funds, particularly by the Democrats, with hundreds of thousands of young people sending in donations of up to $200.00.
"Young people", who perhaps have recently acquired a credit card; easy to pay on the internet and do not really understand the value of SAVING money when they are young.

Headlines: Tough Economy: Non -Profits absorb the impact of fewer donations; June, 2008. On the 'news' in Wisconsin ; United Way and food pantries are way down for donations at this time.

Political campaigns have become WAY too expensive and NONSENSE as far as I'm concerned.

Why not limit the number of ads on TV. Why not allow each candidate to have 20-30 minutes on all the major stations [pre-empted] on TV. to present their views rather than these 30 second $500,000-=$1 million per night of blurbs of nonsense/attack ads?? The debates are fine, but have each candidate present their views without interuption 3-4 weeks before election but NOT spending $BILLIONS of donations for 12-18 months that could go to a better cause!! And not just 'down the toilet'.

I am NOT the only one who is 'disturbed' by this. I have seen many cartoons and comments critisizing the GROSS amount of money that is spent [down the toilet] on politics!! 'GROSS amount of money spent on nonsense; as defined by those who don't have much.

[summer1052]

You paid $186 WEEKLY for health insurance??!! :doh:


OMG!!


DH paid $1434 MONTHLY = $318.67 WEEKLY (1434 / 4.5) for 4 of us, all healthy, blah blah blah. No dental, eyes, maternity, and generic scrips ONLY. :pinch:


I want YOUR plan. :no:

summer

[walking bird]

I believe that the candidates should simply not be permitted to purchase advertising. The ads invariably play to the lowest common denominator, and like any advertising, are pure propaganda.

Instead, how about a series of actual debates--- not the staged nonsense foisted on us today, but debates in the true sense of the word--- plus web-based informational "white papers" by the candidates on a half-dozen or so key issues.

It'll never happen, of course.

As a nation, we like to look at political races like ball games--- pick a side, and back it no matter what. My team's great and your team sucks! Prove your point either by focusing on meaningless gaffes, catchy sound bites, and "patriotic" jingoism, or relying on stereotypical "behaviors" supposedly associated with specific political parties.

All of which is nicely fueled by advertising.