Can America Afford The Price Of Democracy?Shame on Governor Sebelius for joining this trend -- but the real issue here is yet another Republican attack on the democratic process. This goes beyond mere partisan politics. Denying the Democrats in Colorado and Utah the right to participate in the most important decision their party will make next year is an attack on the right to vote itself.
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In Colorado, Governor Bill Owens (R) cancelled the primary on March 5th, saving the state $2.2 million. The Republican-controlled Utah legislature followed suit, cancelling the 2004 primary--a measure supported by their Republican Governor. And in Kansas, Democratic Governor Kathleen Sebelius cancelled her state's 2004 primary, saving approximately $1.75 million next year. But critics have pointed out that partisan politics also contributed to these measures because cancellations prevent the field of Democratic candidates from getting much public attention.
Alas, Democrats are responding by selling out:
Paul Sanford, counsel for the Washington-based Center for Responsive Politics, said selling space on election materials is probably legal, though he's troubled by the possibility. "I don't really think it's a good thing to commercialize the voting process." As David Donnelly of Campaign Money Watch, adds: "Imagine if South Carolina had the ballot initiative process and there was a health care question before voters, and HMOs and pharmaceutical companies contributed big money to pay for the election, and then they sponsored get-out-the vote campaigns or ran ads at polling places?"Sure, they need the money, but is this the right way to get it? The argument for publicly funded elections is looking better by the day.
(/) Roland X
After all, a lot of Bush's campaigning is being paid for with tax dollars...
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