It’s kind of like a food label when you think about it. The politician accepts money from ‘businesses’ or ‘citizens’ as a means to fund their campaign. The booster is then expected to sit back and watch as the dream they invested in comes to fruition. However, there are good examples of where financial backing has come with more strings than a bank loan.
If company X decides to support a candidate for a position and the candidate is successful in achieving their goal wouldn’t said company be entitled to some sort of back scratching? Running for office isn’t cheap and if you or I invest our hard earned dollars into a campaign should we not be entitled to a nod or wink from the elected?
Maybe, maybe not but the question you have to ask yourself is, “Are we going to be able to control for all outside influence?” No.
So why don’t we demand transparency?
I will promise you that I, if I have to take money (let’s face it we’re almost an online community and getting your voice heard is next to free), will publish were every cent I take comes from. This way you could look at my site and go, “Hey man, you took money from Business X and they were successful in securing a city contract.” At which point I would expect you to hold me to task to explain why they were chosen and what, if any, influence I had on the decision.
Clarity! It ain’t just for water.
Jono
PS – This would hold true for any support even if no money trades hands.
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