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From: Brian Kessler
T1: Brian.Kessler@juno.com
Date: 11/5/98
Time: 7:38:55 PM
Remote Name: 152.205.145.223
<snip> >Unfortunately running for political office today requires huge amounts of >money. An example of this is the 29.8 million dollars needed just to compete in >the presidential primary elections.
Although I speak openly against democracy, I invite you to investigate democracy as it is practiced in Israel. They have some most interesting features in that regard. First, if memory serves me correctly (which I can't promise), there is a cap on how much any party may spend on it's campaing. But more interestingly (and this I am positive of), anyone in Israel can start a political party for any reason. If that person than brings a petition to the government with so many signatures (I am not sure how many, but the number is not all that great), the government will than grant that person funds with which to do their campaigning (I forget how much, but the amount is not so small). [In fact, this has been abused. I remember hearing of some company -- I think a burger company -- that started a political party to get access to this funding and then used this fund to advertise their business.]
<snip> >But it is a waste of time merely complaining that nothing will ever get done >and at the same time not doing anything about it. The only way to create real >change is by actively voicing your opinion. It may sound naïve but I feel that >ordinary people still have the power to create positive change in this country >and can control its future, but only by making sure their voice is heard.
I agree completely, although I'm not sure where you'd suggest voicing that opinion. Going to your local rich man will merely have a door shut in your face. I don't expect there shall ever be a referendum on the matter in your election office and if there was, any positive results would be disguarded since there is no actual direct correlation between referendum and law. Very likely if you speak loudly enough you'll find yourself the next Martin Luther King -- and he probably would not have been effective if not for the later efforts of militant black activists. So, unless you're ready to pick up your rifle, speaking probably won't do much.