Is public office such a great perk that so many elected officials lick the boots of big-time campaign donors as though their lives depend on it? The pay is good, but not that much compared with what they could make on the outside. And using campaign money for personal gain can bring jail time. Further, it seems that some who hang on the hardest are independently wealthy.
Maybe elective office is a power and status trip, or it appeals to a craving for public notoriety. No doubt, many politicians rationalize that they must lower themselves while in office in order to be in position to do good in their next term. Who are they kidding? Political toadies become serial toadies.
The U.S. Supreme Court opened the way for campaign money to pour in. For the present, at least, we’re stuck with it. An outbreak of political courage could remedy this twisted situation. But how likely is that?
Richard R. Gill, VANCOUVER
