The extent to which a billionaire can buy his way onto the world stage was on dismal display when Sheldon Adelson, the casino magnate who is a fervent opponent of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, took his seat beside the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, at a fundraising event this week.
Adelson has risen to prominence via his lavish funding of so-called super PACs, political groups that aren’t subject to many campaign-finance laws because they’re supposedly independent of the candidates and campaigns. But at a breakfast this week in Jerusalem, there was Adelson, a major donor to “Restore Our Future,” a super PAC devoted to sending Romney to the White House, right next to the candidate himself. The Federal Election Commission bars super PACs from coordinating directly with candidates. Apparently, there’s no stricture against sitting next to one.
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I'd like to report the editorial writer for plagiarism. I've been reading essentially the same article published here in various right-wing media for almost 10 years. All the editorialist here did was replace "George Soros" with "Sheldon Adelson" and knock a couple zeroes off the amount being spent to buy political influence. The message here: American businessman spending millions to influence politics: bad. Foreign-born businessman spending billions to influence politics: good (or, at least, not worth mentioning). Hey, isn't the Globe owned by the New York Times, which in turn is owned by a foreign billionaire? Doesn't that bear mentioning? The Times Corporation's been losing money for years; just what is Carlos Slim getting for his investment?
I agree that Adelson should not be able to buy his way onto the world stage. Doesn't seem to bother many American voters though. I mean, Romney himself has done it. Money rules politics. All of the current political ideas are profit-driven with little or no concern for what is good for the American public. Romney's trip has been a disaster. The headlines in London over the weekend read: Mitt the Twitt!. Oh, those cheeky Britts!
Georeg Soros has been spending his billions to support Democrats for many years, and the Globe has no problem with that.
A quintessential "money talks" moment was candidate Ronald Reagan's grabbing the microphone from his Republican rivals as he informed the moderator that he had paid for it. Too many Americans still believe in the the trickle-down theory in spite of all the evidence to the contrary. Romney's wealth is dazzling to those who are struggling. That his success is going to translate into anything for the masses is questionable. But people buy lottery tickets, too. Deep throat warned: follow the money. It's a message to us all as yet another politician takes to warmongering.
misinformed know-nothing
Whose work is plagiarized, spence? A specific charge like that ought to have a specific reference. Perhaps you mean to say that the premise of the article could be applied to any number of wealthy businessmen. shmooz, a little more civility please; that sort of name-calling is not justified.
Adelson has plenty of company and Mitt is inviting all of them to the party. This is a very enlightening link. Remember to click on "read the whole list." http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/right-wing-billionaires-behind-mitt-romney-20120524#ixzz1xJYzlDSY Most of these guys live quiet lives centered around making money...huge amounts. It's interesting to read exactly what they want and what they might hope for in a Republican World, also known as Goodbye Middle Class.
It's called "hyperbole," JLErwin. As I said, I've been reading similarly-toned pieces for years. My point here was to call out the Globe editorial board for complaining here, but staying silent while Soros has spent far, far more money trying to influence elections. I guess it's only bad when conservatives do it.
At least I'm not calling you a misinformed know-nothing. I certainly agree with the sentiment, that if you want to call out one fat cat for buying influence you ought to call them all out. Personally, if they want to buy elections I'd rather they pay me directly for my vote. In fact, I'd gladly take $100 each from Soros AND Adelson and vote for a third party, and treat you to a couple of beers after.