» my vote can be bought

Over the past 3 years, I am bugged by the amount of political ads that attacked the opponent. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge boxing fan, and I truly love a good Rosie-versus-The-Donald kind of fight. What bugs me so damn much is when they twist the wording of major issues. For example, "Joe Smith is against education, he voted against teachers 5 times over the past year".

The problem here is that NO ONE is against education. There's got to be a reason WHY the dude voted against education. Maybe the friggin' bill was filled with pork spending. Maybe it gave an extra million for the development of a golf club so that the JV Golf team would have a place to spend their weekends. Maybe there was a stipulation to give the Principal a new BMW and a $3k/month housing stipend in this "education" bill. But... noooooo. If you are against the principal getting a new beamer and a new hillside mansion, then you MUST be against education. Right?

Now, at the same time, here's another trend that I've seen. A councilman/representative/senator sits on an appropriations committee. Somehow, some contractor is awarded a big contract (and I mean a BIG CONTRACT). Let's say, for example, that Joe's Construction gets awarded $30million for a highway improvement program. Now, that's not what bugs me (those companies are not "non-profits"... if they stroked me a check, trust me... I'd cash it.). What BUGS me is when the councilman/representative/senator "retires" and then shows up 2 weeks later as a Joe's Construction Board Member or VP. It STRANGELY looks like they were awarded a contract just to secure the congressman's wealthy retirement. Now THAT is wrong.

So, here's what I propose... I will run for office one day, and I will make my living while DIRECTLY representing my constituents in my district or state. I will directly represent YOU. How many representatives in government can say that nowadays? I bet you can count 'em on one hand. My entire platform will consist of the "My Vote Can Be Bought" agenda.

Here's how it goes (and you're gonna love this)...

A bill or legislation comes across my desk. Then, there will be a vote on it in, say, a week. I'm going to post this legislation publicly in local newspapers and on my website for EVERYONE to read. You (being my constituents) read it, think about it, and then I want YOU to TELL ME how to vote on it. You are going to tell me by stroking a check to my office saying to vote "YES" or "NO" (in the For _________ part of the check). Before I walk in and cast my vote, me and my staff will add up the ledger and see who won my vote on this legislation. It will be clear. "NO tally is $750, YES tally is $650" I will post the deposits results up on my website, and I will go in and vote accordingly. My vote can be bought.

Let me make a little addendum to this. My vote can be ONLY be bought by the people in my district. All out-of-district checks will be RETURNED UNCASHED. All business checks will be RETURNED UNCASHED. I want to represent my people afterall. It's not fair to them to have a local Rubbermaid or Microsoft paying for my vote. I want my people to have a direct influence on their government.

Now, before you say "What an idiot!" about what you just read ... really REALLY think about it. Why not? How is that so different than what's going on now? How much influence do you have on your own representative? How much direct say do YOU have in your government? I would GIVE you that. I would represent YOU. Not only that, I could justify every single piece of legislation that came across my desk. EVERY SINGLE PIECE. "Hey, Glen, Why did you vote against education?" ... "Um, because the NO votes came in at $750 and the YES votes came in at $650". There wouldn't be any ulterior motives, no hidden agendas, no hidden pork barrel. No second guessing of my motives. You couldn't even slander me in the political ads when I came up for re-election... it'd be all out there in the open publicly. You'd have an open view of my checkbook.

Now, here is the TRUE BEAUTY of my plan....

I am going to build my own retirement in plain sight, and not hide it by becoming a "boardmember" of a major government contractor. With each tally, I am going to keep the winning amount of money (afterall, you did just buy my vote). Now, the LOSING amount... ahhh, that's the beautiful part. Of all the people who contributed (and lost), I am going to have a lottery the day after my legislative vote and give THAT FULL AMOUNT back to one lucky winner. Maybe you didn't get to buy my vote, but you did make an extra $650 that week. It's almost robinhood-esque in a way, if you think about it. Representatives keep ALL of their campaign contributions and donations nowadays. I'm gonna split mine up with my constituents, and even make some of you weathier while doing it.

Now, imagine this... Imagine if a MAJOR bill comes up. Imagine if some sort of war-program spending comes up, or an abortion issue, or healthcare issue. Someone in my district could make a ton of money OVERNIGHT. I know, I know... it's a lot to think about and consider. But, take your time and chew on this whole idea a bit. Think about it. Weigh the pro's and con's. And, let me know if my platform needs some tweaking. I'm molding it almost daily, and it hasn't been perfected yet... but it's pretty damn close. I'm waiting to hear a real argument against it... but i DO want to hear it. Click Here and let me know... because, as a future politician, I'm listening.