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$$ MONEY. It's a gas. $$
First of all, I found a very interesting article in yesterday's Times Union. Apparently, the race for New York's 20th Congressional District has become the most expensive campaign in the nation.
Apparently, the two candidates spent a total of $7.5 million by Sept. 30. And just think, the two candidates (incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Hudson, and challenger Sandy Treadwell, R,I,C, Lake Placid), have spent a bunch of that money on negative TV spots.
It's a bit much to get into a blog post, but I for one feel that a major overhaul of the electoral system is needed to A: ensure that people who are paid to be legislating are doing so, and not spending inordinate time campaigning (this applies mostly to presidential candidates in both parties), and B: ensure that untold millions are not wasted on campaigns that could be run for less.
I feel especially passionately about this in light of our current economic situation. The same article in the TU says that all-told, this year's elections for national seats will be around $5.3 billion. That's "Billion," with a "B." Think how much good that money could do for people struggling to get by as their homes are foreclosed and industry lays off workers. Just a thought.
In other money news, Mayor Johnson's proposed indoor recreation center continues to smolder in the background as the City Council puts together its budget for 2009. I hear an interesting segment on NPR's money-related radio show Market Place today. A financial expert taking caller's questions was given the following question (this is a paraphrase):
"When voting, I'm going to be asked to vote on several bonding resolutions. Given the economy, should I support my local government spending money?"
The answer was essentially this: Municipalities undertaking capital projects can be a good way to stimulate the local economy in the short-term by putting contractors to work, and can be good for community morale. And, communities boring money can be good for the overall economy, because it ensures movement in the economy and prevents stagnation. IF the project is a good one that will benefit the community, you should consider supporting the resolutions.
While we don't get to vote on individual bond resolutions in this city, and even without knowing who the financial expert giving this answer was, I felt it was a germane point in the ongoing rec-center saga. I was hoping to provide a link to a pod cast of the show, but it has not yet been posted. I will try to post one in the near future.
Apparently, the two candidates spent a total of $7.5 million by Sept. 30. And just think, the two candidates (incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Hudson, and challenger Sandy Treadwell, R,I,C, Lake Placid), have spent a bunch of that money on negative TV spots.
It's a bit much to get into a blog post, but I for one feel that a major overhaul of the electoral system is needed to A: ensure that people who are paid to be legislating are doing so, and not spending inordinate time campaigning (this applies mostly to presidential candidates in both parties), and B: ensure that untold millions are not wasted on campaigns that could be run for less.
I feel especially passionately about this in light of our current economic situation. The same article in the TU says that all-told, this year's elections for national seats will be around $5.3 billion. That's "Billion," with a "B." Think how much good that money could do for people struggling to get by as their homes are foreclosed and industry lays off workers. Just a thought.
In other money news, Mayor Johnson's proposed indoor recreation center continues to smolder in the background as the City Council puts together its budget for 2009. I hear an interesting segment on NPR's money-related radio show Market Place today. A financial expert taking caller's questions was given the following question (this is a paraphrase):
"When voting, I'm going to be asked to vote on several bonding resolutions. Given the economy, should I support my local government spending money?"
The answer was essentially this: Municipalities undertaking capital projects can be a good way to stimulate the local economy in the short-term by putting contractors to work, and can be good for community morale. And, communities boring money can be good for the overall economy, because it ensures movement in the economy and prevents stagnation. IF the project is a good one that will benefit the community, you should consider supporting the resolutions.
While we don't get to vote on individual bond resolutions in this city, and even without knowing who the financial expert giving this answer was, I felt it was a germane point in the ongoing rec-center saga. I was hoping to provide a link to a pod cast of the show, but it has not yet been posted. I will try to post one in the near future.
posted by The Saratogian City Desk at
5:48 PM
5 Comments:
Andrew when government spends our money the only choice we have is in the voting booth on election day. If we spend our own money we can choose to either eat downtown, at the mall, or at home. Either way in these difficult economic times most families are keeping all the money they earn in circulation.
This is what stuns me - we are in a recession possibly heading for a depression. People are losing there homes, and food pantries are emptying at startling rates. And ... the CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE are taking in million (for some billions) of dollars and spending them flying, wining, dining and speaking. WHY?? And another WHY? - why don't they see this and find alternatives to spending (I'd vote for the candidate that could creatively campaign!!!) to at least provide the comforting illusion that they care about the financial condition of their electorate.
Andrew:
I appreciated the fact that you weren't afraid to mention a competitor's article, but how is is that this information was missed by The Saratogian, the newspaper based in the district? I realize it may be unfair to ask that to you (as opposed to the Editors), but it just sort of jumped out at me as to how ridiculous that is that the Saratogian misses so much. Yes the T-U has a bigger staff, but this race is front and center in the Spa City and this miss is indicative of the rule, not the exception to how often The Saratogian gets scooped with relevant Saratoga information.
Dan -- Thanks for your comment. I usually prefer to avoid making excuses, but since you've put me on the spot, here goes: All I can say is, I wish we had the resources to do as much as the TU does. As I'm sure you noticed, the article I linked to was written by the TU's Washington Bureau. Although the internet has made it easy for a reporter like me to access the finance reports for candidates in national races, here in Saratoga Springs, I don't have the resources to put those numbers in context.
With only four reporters, we've made the decision to prioritize our election coverage based on the locality of the races.
While the TU got this story, I think you'll agree that we've been fastidious in our coverage of the local judicial and state races.
Thanks again for your comment, AB
Fair enough Andrew.
Again I appreciate your candor.
Dan
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