• lettruthout@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    Yeah, this is why we need campaign finance reform. Isn’t there another country that limits the duration of their campaigns? That would be a good place to start.

    • givesomefucks@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      Most countries can kick out a PM, hold a national popular vote election. And have a replacement PM in office in like 2-3 months.

      For a fraction of the cost of what we do.

      But having the primary start so early and called after 5-10 states vote gives this huge election where fundraising happens nonstop. Which is insane because most people don’t see TV/radio commercials anymore. We learn about candidates from what the media says about candidates more than anything, have for decades.

      Even in person campaign stops, who goes to one of those if they aren’t already voting for them?

      It’s costing each party over a billion for presidential campaigns these days, and for the life of me I can’t understand how they could spend that much if they tried.

      It’s literally Brewster’s Millions, but if someone’s team is raising the most, they act like it’s a good thing.

      Everything about American elections is inflated because there’s so much money that can be made in what’s essentially legalized bribery. And 99.9% of Americans are priced out of the system. With the “victory fund” nonsense, an individual can give like 960k this year. Why would they waste time with average Americans who might give $20?

      • MCasq_qsaCJ_234@lemmy.zip
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        3 months ago

        The country exerts influence directly and indirectly throughout the world, it is obvious that they are going to spend a lot of money, whether it is companies, organizations, countries or others.

        • givesomefucks@lemmy.world
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          3 months ago

          is obvious that they are going to spend a lot of money,

          That is about raising money…

          I’m talking about how they can spend that much money.

          Most of the actual work on voter outreach is done by volunteers. Are they spending it on radio/TV ads no one see? Spam calls and texts asking for donations? Fancy fundraisers to get moreoney?

          We spend money to make money, and it just keeps going in a loop and they never really get around to trying to get votes.

          It’s like infinite unnecessary middle men…