Why do our politicians spend much more money to get elected than they can possib

1. 60

   Mugwumpposted 14 years ago

   Why do our politicians spend much more money to get elected than they can possibly make in office?

   replyreport
2. 70

   Mr. Happyposted 14 years ago

   Getting into office is a strategic move perhaps one move only, in a long game of chess. Think about the "contacts" that are to be made while in office and the opportunities that are to come ... think about the books that remain to be written, interviews to be given etc. A strategic move ...

   replyreport
3. 49

   A Lascelleposted 14 years ago

   because being elected is a cash cow, when you consider they can waste billions of everybody else's money without no recompense and earn money through deception with corporations ( drug companies, arms companies, oil companies, banking, ect ) then add on out of office earnings, after dinner speaking, book rights, maybe write for newspaper columns. Once your face is known, you can't lose. Have you ever seen an ex- politician destitute ? Then of course they have gold plated pensions, money siphoned off put into trust funds, it never ends, their parallels with organised crime run deep, but they are the good guys ! And yet, the public still believe in their vote, still dream that politicians are there for them. Politicians do it for the money, just like any regular whore.

   replyreport
4. 60

   JeniferDposted 14 years ago

   The pay is not the temptation; it's the power and the influence that makes the office so desirable. Too bad the power tends to corrupt even the best of intentions.

   replyreport
5. 60

   dabeanerposted 14 years ago

   It is usually not THEIR money that they are spending.  It is contributors' money.  Contributors give money to politicians for two reasons: 1) to get something, a law, a project, whatever or, 2) to get the politician to leave them alone.
   
   Then, their salary is only the tip of the iceberg.  They get various perquisites such as office expenses, "fact finding" travel trips.  The biggie is a pension.  And their salaries and pensions are much larger than those an average person or even a mid- to high-level exec in a real company can expect to get.
   
   And, don't forget -- while every penny we peons move in and out of our accounts must be accounted for, the big perk for them is graft - bribes -- for their votes.
   
   Oh, then after they leave office, speaking fees, sinecures in various government do-nothing or busybody agencies, or law firms with connections.  And don't forget the money-laundering via book contract advances for their memoirs.
   
   And another, access to star-struck, power-worshipping interns.

   replyreport