I was very disturbed to hear that the Supreme Court yesterday struck down the limits of financial contributions individuals can make to political candidates or campaigns. While the Republican National Committee celebrates their victory, I am saddened by the implications of this ruling.
If you thought there was too much money in politics before, and if you think that big money played a role in outcome of elections, just wait. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet! While the ruling does not change the limit supporters can give to individual candidates ($5,200), now there will be no limits on the total amount individuals can make. That means they can make $5,200 donations to an unlimited number of candidate.
Money in politics in nothing new. Joe McGinness’ book, The Selling of the President 1968 (Trident Press, 1969) showed how the “marketing” of Nixon led to his election. All, of course, fueled by money, which was a pittance compared to the billions-that’s right-billions spent today.
Money, translated into advertising and promotion, equals votes. Everybody knows it , and al the politicians take part. But, do we really want elections determined by who has the most money to spend? Do we really want people who have the most money to have the most influence because that’s what they get when they give.
By now I hope you’re thinking, “Isn’t this blog about books and reading and writing? What’s politics have to do with these?” To which, I would have to say, “PLENTY!” The reason money makes such a difference in politics is because it takes plenty of money to buy advertising. And the reason why advertising is so essential simple. It works! And the reason it works is because so many people who vote don’t view the ads and associated hype with a critical eye.
That’s where we, the teachers, come in. If we all made a concerted effort to teach kids to read and think critically then the ads and associated hype would not work. If the ads don’t work, there’s no reason for all the money. If there’s no reason for all the money, then there’s no reason for politicians to accept it, which means the people who give it will no longer have unfair influence.
So, let’s develop critical readers and thinkers. Let’s teach them to read between the lines and beyond the words. Let’s teach them to look for evidence and consider it carefully. Let’s teach them to examine multiple sides of issues. Let’s teach them to make informed decisions. If we do all this, we’ll be doing what public education was intended to do: develop good citizens.
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