George Will: All This Anonymous Campaign Money Doesn’t Matter

video

by Glynnis MacNicol | 5:40 pm, October 24th, 2010

» 169 comments

Other than Juan Williams the storyline making the most headlines this week is the enormous sums of anonymous money being funneled into this year’s midterm campaigns. As former RNC head Ed Gillespie reminded everyone on This Week this morning, this is now “the law of the land.” However is it damaging our electoral process?

Nope! Says George Will. And then, as he is reliably wont to do, he proceeded to throw a healthy bucket of cold water on this week’s political hysteria.

In this gusher of money we may spend in this year, in the two year cycle, $4.2 billion or something like that? That’s less than half of what Proctor and Gamble is going to spend advertising its products in one year. It is approximately what Americans will spend on yogurt this year. This is a rich country, and the fact that we spend so little trying to influence the selection of those who will make and administer the laws is the amazing thing. Second! Surely we’re learning as we repeatedly do every two years the declining marginal utility of the last political dollar. There’s just so much you can do in throwing stuff on television.

Nor do the country’s voters care about transparency or process, argues Will.

I’m not convinced this will be true in the long run if corporations start fully funding campaigns, but the idea there is only so much that money can buy you appears to be proving out. From Politico today:

The trio of Meg Whitman in California, Rick Scott in Florida and Linda McMahon in Connecticut together have burned through more money than the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American Crossroads and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees have pledged to spend — combined.

Even in midterm elections awash with money and packed with larger-than-life campaigns, the collective sum of $243 million is nothing short of astounding — especially since that’s just the money that came out of their own pockets.

But here’s the punch line: None of these candidates is ahead in the polls. Two of them — Whitman and McMahon — are actually behind.

Watch the clip below. And fear not, there will be plenty of stories come November 3 regarding how much of a role money did or didn’t play in this election cycle.

Anita Dunn, Ed Gillespie, George Will, This Week

musiccityvic

This money issue is just another excuse for the Progressives as to why they are going to get crushed in the election. They don’t seem to understand that they are the minority and that the majority of this country doesn’t want a nanny state.

Funny, I don’t remember any liberal outrage over the Unions spending hundreds of millions of dollars to elect democrats or that Obama took in untold money at his website that was unverifiable because he turned off the verification system.

Pelosi already starting blaming the chamber of commerce today for the losses, so expect 2 weeks of that excuse from the media and the dem leadership. Just look in a mirror progressives and you’ll find the reason for the upcoming rout.
Ted-

musiccityvic said:
This money issue is just another excuse for the Progressives as to why they are going to get crushed in the election. They don’t seem to understand that they are the minority and that the majority of this country doesn’t want a nanny state.

Funny, I don’t remember any liberal outrage over the Unions spending hundreds of millions of dollars to elect democrats or that Obama took in untold money at his website that was unverifiable because he turned off the verification system.

Pelosi already starting blaming the chamber of commerce today for the losses, so expect 2 weeks of that excuse from the media and the dem leadership. Just look in a mirror progressives and you’ll find the reason for the upcoming rout.

This post is completely incoherent. Evidently you have no interest in who is buying votes. But the truth is I wouldn’t expect you to. You are living proof that ignorance is bliss.
musiccityvic

Ted- said:
This post is completely incoherent. Evidently you have no interest in who is buying votes. But the truth is I wouldn’t expect you to. You are living proof that ignorance is bliss.

Where is your outrage over Obama taking foreign money? Where is your outrage over Unions buy elections for Democrats? Where is your outrage over ACORN stealing elections for Democrats with voter fraud? That’s what I thought. There is none. Now that the playing field has been leveled you have outrage. If you want ignorance look in the mirror, you’ll also find hypocrisy and dishonesty.
the real john t

musiccityvic said:
or that Obama took in untold money at his website that was unverifiable because he turned off the verification system.

I suppose you can prove that with a link, and not from some radical RW site.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Clint-David-Samuel/1610937432 Clint David Samuel

Conservatives keep throwing George Soros donations and international unions at progressives as examples of foreign donors. Soros said what he wanted for his $, to get rid of Bush. He was right. Everyone knows the unions just want more membership and benefits for their $. They are right, if income inequality is a drag. Soros is sitting elections 2010 out, as shown by disclosed donations. While I admit Chamber & Kochs say what they want, there’s no disclosures on their side and no reason to explain themselves. MacNichol’s examples are straw man arguments: Meg Whitman in California, Rick Scott in Florida and Linda McMahon in Connecticut. Their excess money didn’t have an effect on the voters because everyone knew where it came from. The fact that they overspent didn’t change who they are to the electorate. If they had secretly backed a local-yokel candidate instead like Art Robinson in Oregon or Sharron Angle in Nevada then it might be working very well right now. I shouldn’t have to be the one of the few on the offensive over record-setting soft money with these conservative guys.
notsofast

Oh, no libs! You are hypocrites again:

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is now the biggest outside spender of the 2010 elections, thanks to an 11th-hour effort to boost Democrats that has vaulted the public-sector union ahead of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the AFL-CIO and a flock of new Republican groups in campaign spending.

The 1.6 million-member AFSCME is spending a total of $87.5 million on the elections after tapping into a $16 million emergency account to help fortify the Democrats’ hold on Congress. Last week, AFSCME dug deeper, taking out a $2 million loan to fund its push. The group is spending money on television advertisements, phone calls, campaign mailings and other political efforts, helped by a Supreme Court decision that loosened restrictions on campaign spending.

“We’re the big dog,” said Larry Scanlon, the head of AFSCME’s political operations. “But we don’t like to brag.”
Big Eddie

Besides Obama , the haughty Barbara Boxer is also in the pocket of the union goons . The union thugs take the dues from members and spend it on Democrats . It doesn’t matter what the member wants . Boxer is all for the indefensible card check .

http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/10/the_extremism_of_barbara_boxer.html
juan

The Majority of American Voters have awakened and the Marxist Obama and the Socialist Democrat Party will finally be irrelevant!

I can see November from my window!
Ted-

musiccityvic said:
Where is your outrage over Obama taking foreign money? Where is your outrage over Unions buy elections for Democrats? Where is your outrage over ACORN stealing elections for Democrats with voter fraud? That’s what I thought. There is none. Now that the playing field has been leveled you have outrage. If you want ignorance look in the mirror, you’ll also find hypocrisy and dishonesty.

I looked in the mirror and I saw tea-bagger. Horrible, just horrible.
Big_F-ing_Deal

Hey George, why didn’t you address the “anonymous” issue?

At least when Procter and Gamble try to sell me Crest toothpaste I know it is them.
If someone was trying to sell me on Crest anonymously I would be very suspicious of that toothpaste. What are their motives?
Also, when Procter and Gamble advertise their products they don’t expect secret backroom deals from the supermarkets who sell them. That is the problem with big money political advertising. Many of those people expect to be “paid back” with influence.

*Voice of Comic Book Guy*

Stupidest. Analogy. Ever.
Ted-

notsofast said:
Oh, no libs! You are hypocrites again:

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is now the biggest outside spender of the 2010 elections, thanks to an 11th-hour effort to boost Democrats that has vaulted the public-sector union ahead of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the AFL-CIO and a flock of new Republican groups in campaign spending.

The 1.6 million-member AFSCME is spending a total of $87.5 million on the elections after tapping into a $16 million emergency account to help fortify the Democrats’ hold on Congress. Last week, AFSCME dug deeper, taking out a $2 million loan to fund its push. The group is spending money on television advertisements, phone calls, campaign mailings and other political efforts, helped by a Supreme Court decision that loosened restrictions on campaign spending.

“We’re the big dog,” said Larry Scanlon, the head of AFSCME’s political operations. “But we don’t like to brag.”

The smartest post ever…by a smelly mullet.
roxsteady

Unions have to and do identify who they are and anyone who doesn’t think this is a problem is really ignorant. For instance, many of the donors to the US Chamber of Commerce are foreign companies. Now, those companies also have companies here in the US but, in exchange for their donations from abroad, these American based companies are outsourcing jobs from the US. You know, like those cable company call centers where the person on the other end is not American? Also, the entire GOP voted against a bill the Dems brought to the floor before the recess to close the tax loopholes that make it profitable for companies to ship out your jobs. That’s because they can avoid paying you minimum wage by paing workers in China and India 50 cents an hour. Got that? Wrap your tiny brains around that one! Will is full of shit or maybe his wig is too tight but, the polls show that 80% of Americans don’t like that our elections are being bought by people who don’t have to identify themselves so cut the both sides bullshit. It’s just not accurate! Oh, and ACORN didn’t steal any elections you assholes! It’s just another tired excuse by those of you who keep getting your asses kicked at the polls!
Pablo

the real john t said:
I suppose you can prove that with a link, and not from some radical RW site.

Obama Accepting Untraceable Donations

What do you have to say about that, john?
roxsteady

So, we’ve identified the donors on the Dems side, now if you could just pull actual names of the Republican donors? No, you can’t and that’s the point! I have to go now. The stupid over here hurts!
Mr.Papshmer

It’s a hoot watching liberals being told by a billionaire what they should care about. Little puppets on leashes.
Azarkhan

Basically Democrats have fucked themselves. They insisted on passing unpopular legislation like the nationalization of the health care industry, and by doing so have sparked a reaction. Rich, middle, and poor alike are giving to the GOP and the Tea Party. That’s what happens when you allow leftwing lunatics to “transform America”.
Ted-

Azarkhan said:
Basically Democrats have fucked themselves. They insisted on passing unpopular legislation like the nationalization of the health care industry, and by doing so have sparked a reaction. Rich, middle, and poor alike are giving to the GOP and the Tea Party. That’s what happens when you allow leftwing lunatics to “transform America”.

Basically, you are delusional. Typical tea-bag bullshit.
lazzzlo

Shouldn’t the voters just read their ballot and decide for themselves?

All this advertising money is poorly spent.

What new voters “get” is this obligation posed to them of either voting for the “correct” candidate or forever feeling like a loser.

All it does is spend a lot of money and isolate voters.
Big_F-ing_Deal

Azarkhan said:
Basically Democrats have fucked themselves. They insisted on passing unpopular legislation like the nationalization of the health care industry, and by doing so have sparked a reaction. Rich, middle, and poor alike are giving to the GOP and the Tea Party. That’s what happens when you allow leftwing lunatics to “transform America”.

I would hope we would do it all over again exactly the same way. Actually I would prefer if Obama had done more (public option) and lost even more seats.
He was elected to change things, not get his buddies reelected. It is a miracle he even passed health care and financial reform. The powers amassed against him were formidable. Of course he will pay a price now.If it was a choice between what he accomplished and losing the House I would pick the former every time.

I HAVE NO REGRETS EXCEPT WE DIDN’T GO FAR ENOUGH!!!LOL
lazzzlo

lazzzlo said:
Basically, you are delusional. Typical tea-bag bullshit.

And seeing that type of a response makes people either harden their response or avoid voting.
Azarkhan

Big_F-ing_Deal said:
He was elected to change things, not get his buddies reelected

Then tell Pres Obama and his sycophants in the media to stop whining.
lazzzlo

ooops, bad quote
Ted-

Mr.Papshmer said:
It’s a hoot watching liberals being told by a billionaire what they should care about. Little puppets on leashes.

Glenn says buy gold and survival seeds. Tea-bagging puppet.
lazzzlo

I figure at this point; people are going to vote the way they choose. The rest of the “push” will seem like desperation.
Big_F-ing_Deal

Azarkhan said:
Then tell Pres Obama and his sycophants in the media to stop whining.

ok im gonna see him tonight at hooters
Ted-

Azarkhan said:
Then tell Pres Obama and his sycophants in the media to stop whining.

Yeah, we’ll be sure to tell him. Asshole.
Azarkhan

Big_F-ing_Deal said:
ok im gonna see him tonight at hooters

You might try here first:

http://images.travelpod.com/users/mrsdp/1.1213259280.taj_mahal_hotel.jpg
the real john t

Mr.Papshmer said:
It’s a hoot watching liberals being told by a billionaire what they should care about. Little puppets on leashes.

No, what’s a hoot is reading that from a lover of Fox (which is owned by a billionaire) and tells them what to think every minute of the day.
crclarkNY

Maybe I’m not “most people”, but I don’t think donors should be anonymous. I also think there should be limits for individuals, corporations and not for profits and all presidential candidates should us public money like McCain did (and Obama said he was going to do….).
Mr.Papshmer

Ted- said:
Glenn says buy gold and survival seeds. Tea-bagging puppet.

Sounds like you get to catch his show. I can’t watch, as I’m working at 2 in the afternoon.
Mr.Papshmer

the real john t said:
No, what’s a hoot is reading that from a lover of Fox (which is owned by a billionaire) and tells them what to think every minute of the day.

Yer scrapin’, man.
Ted-

Mr.Papshmer said:
Sounds like you get to catch his show. I can’t watch, as I’m working at 2 in the afternoon.

pap smear – thank you for this critical and informative update.
Azarkhan

The knives are out for Christiane Amanpour at ABC News’ DC bureau. Since the ex-CNN war correspondent began anchoring “This Week” in August, she’s upset some co-workers by being a “distant outsider,” sources said.

“Amanpour flies into Washington on Friday and anchors the show on Sunday,” an insider griped. “She reads about Washington from her Central Park apartment. It’s not like other war zones that you can parachute into. She is very cold and distant with the other bureau staff.”

Some resent Amanpour’s friendship with Disney honcho Bob Iger and his wife, Willow Bay. Disney owns ABC. Other staffers gripe that despite her reputation as a top foreign correspondent, she doesn’t have enough experience reporting on US politics….

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/staff_icy_to_cold_christiane_Th9W41mlAbestpBOzNtuWI#ixzz13Jt8U4RH

Jack Tapper is smiling.
NORBIT

Look at the bright spot Democrats! – After 11-02-10, the President will be able to use that overused “UNPRECEDENTED” with actual Honesty this time!!!

LOL!!!

Burgeoning tsunami!!!
the real john t

Azarkhan said:
The knives are out for Christiane Amanpour at ABC News’ DC bureau.

Another non-topic comments from Azarkhan. So what else is new.
Ted-

NORBIT said:
Look at the bright spot Democrats! – After 11-02-10, the President will be able to use that overused “UNPRECEDENTED” with actual Honesty this time!!!

LOL!!!

Burgeoning tsunami!!!

You are insane.
felixw

musiccityvic said:
Funny, I don’t remember any liberal outrage over the Unions spending hundreds of millions of dollars to elect democrats or that Obama took in untold money at his website that was unverifiable because he turned off the verification system.

It’s hard to take seriously the complaints from Pelosi about fundraising. She and the Democrats have controlled the House, Senate and White House, with huge majorities, over the last two years. If she had really wanted to clean up the campaign finance mess — which ought to be cleaned up –she could easily have taken the steps to do so. But the truth is that almost all of the incumbents want loopholes in the laws so that they can exchange political favors for donations with the minimum paper trail left behind.

If voters want a more honest, more transparent system, their best hope is to bring in outsiders and mavericks, and kick out career politicians who feed off the public trough. And there is actually a movement out there trying to do just that…it’s called the Tea Party.
Ted-

felixw said:
It’s hard to take seriously the complaints from Pelosi about fundraising. She and the Democrats have controlled the House, Senate and White House, with huge majorities, over the last two years. If she had really wanted to clean up the campaign finance mess — which ought to be cleaned up –she could easily have taken the steps to do so. But the truth is that almost all of the incumbents want loopholes in the laws so that they can exchange political favors for donations with the minimum paper trail left behind.

If voters want a more honest, more transparent system, their best hope is to bring in outsiders and mavericks, and kick out career politicians who feed off the public trough. And there is actually a movement out there trying to do just that…it’s called the Tea Party.

Typically delusional. What meds are you taking? This is hilarious.
the real john t

felixw said:
It’s hard to take seriously the complaints from Pelosi about fundraising. She and the Democrats have controlled the House, Senate and White House, with huge majorities, over the last two years. If she had really wanted to clean up the campaign finance mess

Have you ever heard of fillibusters? Something that the Republicans have used a record amount of times. I believe you probably have but seem to like to look over that fact.
felixw

Ted- said:
Typically delusional. What meds are you taking? This is hilarious.

You would know about meds. Since you clearly have missed some crucial dosages.
felixw

the real john t said:
Have you ever heard of fillibusters? Something that the Republicans have used a record amount of times. I believe you probably have but seem to like to look over that fact.

I missed the news story about the Republican filibuster to block Pelosi’s campaign reform. Can you put up a link to the article?
Ted-

felixw said:
You would know about meds. Since you clearly have missed some crucial dosages.

You are an idiot.
BillSays

Dawgs, dat ted be sure eating his feces tonight. dam dawgs dat man be homo i think.
felixw

Ted- said:
You are an idiot.

Uh, you tried that one last time. And the time before. And the time before that. Yawn!
Ted-

felixw said:
Uh, you tried that one last time. And the time before. And the time before that. Yawn!

Idiot.
BillSays

ted, dawh, y you be licking on obammas rectum. dat be wrong.
writer

Five years ago, gold was around $300/oz. It’s currently $1389/oz. Keep mocking those gold investments, Ted.
shootfromthehip

Felix is indeed an idiot.

felixw said:
I missed the news story about the Republican filibuster to block Pelosi’s campaign reform. Can you put up a link to the article?

Here you go, retard.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128804239

The headline is:

“Senate Republicans Block Campaign Finance Bill”
Ted-

writer said:
Five years ago, gold was around $300/oz. It’s currently $1389/oz. Keep mocking those gold investments, Ted.

Buy food insurance. Or you will die.
BillSays

dawgs, ya talk abot gold. as in a mine. dat be like dat ted. obammas been driling his rectum like a mine don’t no if he hit gold yet.
Greg

“The first reason is that the question was not properlybrought before us. In declaring §203 of BCRA facially unconstitutional on the ground that corporations’ electoral expenditures may not be regulated any more stringently than those of individuals, the majority decides this case on a basis relinquished below, not included in the questions presented to us by the litigants, and argued here only in response to the Court’s invitation. This procedure is unusual and inadvisable for a court. Our colleagues’ suggestion that “we are asked to reconsider Austin and, in effect, McConnell,” ante, at 1, would be more accurate if rephrased to state that “we have asked ourselves” to reconsider those cases.”

http://yubanet.com/usa/Justice-Stevens-Dissenting-Opinion-in-Citizens-United-v-Federal-Election-Commission.php

Impeach Roberts
BillSays

dat shoot be tounguing obammas ass to. he like dat homo
Ted-

BillSays said:
dawgs, ya talk abot gold. as in a mine. dat be like dat ted. obammas been driling his rectum like a mine don’t no if he hit gold yet.

Bill – it seems you have your lips pressed to your rectum. A noble goal, but gibberish is the result.
Thelonious Funk

What elections need are more money. Poor people have had way too much power way too long.
BillSays

dawgs, dat homo ted be trying to suc on my root.

ted, stopp dat you rectum rouser
BillSays

Thelonious Funk said:
What elections need are more money. Poor people have had way too much power way too long.

ya,monk- we can all lern from da poor rite!
Ted-

BillSays said:
dawgs, dat homo ted be trying to suc on my root.

ted, stopp dat you rectum rouser

Does anyone speak tea-bag-ese. Writer?
writer

No I don’t, Ted. But I don’t think I’ll be taking your advice on gold prices. You don’t seem to know what you’re talking about.
BillSays

dawgs, dat ted, he blow on reid like no tommorrow- he like to sandwick dat nasti pelossi
BillSays

dat ted- he like have in his openings full. he be the man of dont ax dont tell
the real john t

felixw said:
I missed the news story about the Republican filibuster to block Pelosi’s campaign reform. Can you put up a link to the article?

Here you go felix.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheat-sheet/item/gop-filibusters-campaign-finance-bill/on-the-hill/
Ted-

BillSays said:
dawgs, dat ted, he blow on reid like no tommorrow- he like to sandwick dat nasti pelossi

Translation – buy gold and survival seeds writer. And blow Harry Reid.
BillSays

Ted- said:
And blow Harry Reid.

dawg, you be doing dat for years now, dawg.

you want be in submarine so you can be ful of dat seman
felixw

Ted- said:
Idiot.

Yawn…snooze…snore. Someone wake me up when Ted says something fresh.
Greg

“Setting the case for reargument was a constructive step,but it did not cure this fundamental problem. Essentially,five Justices were unhappy with the limited nature of the case before us, so they changed the case to give themselves an opportunity to change the law.”

Impeach Roberts
writer

Reid is going to be blown away on election day. That should be sufficient.
Ted-

felixw said:
Yawn…snooze…snore. Someone wake me up when Ted says something fresh.

idiot.
Mr.Papshmer

Greg said:
Impeach Roberts

You kinda need a reason, other than you just don’t like him. What a mook.
BillSays

dat johnny t- he blows dat obammas to- he don’t now dat obammas got woman who dont want johnny t doing dat to her man
writer

You tell Ted there’s something that could almost triple his money over five years, and he mocks it. I think this truly demonstrates just how intelligent Ted is.
Greg

BillSays said:
dawg, you be doing dat for years now, dawg.

you want be in submarine so you can be ful of dat seman

What compels you? Why re-enact homoerotic acts in type? A version of humor? Spite? No reason you can identify?
Ted-

BillSays said:
dawg, you be doing dat for years now, dawg.

you want be in submarine so you can be ful of dat seman

Okay, let me translate. Sarah Palin thinks writer should buy gold and food insurance. I don’t know, maybe it’s Glenn Beck says to buy gold and food insurance, And then to all tea-baggers – stick your head straight up your ass. At least thats what I’m getting.
VRWC Destruction Machine

notsofast said:
The 1.6 million-member AFSCME is spending a total of $87.5 million on the elections after tapping into a $16 million emergency account to help fortify the Democrats’ hold on Congress.

Government employee unions buying elections with taxpayer dollars. I wonder why big government Democrats aren’t complaining? Hypocrisy is the Democratic talking point du jour.
felixw

writer said:
You tell Ted there’s something that could almost triple his money over five years, and he mocks it. I think this truly demonstrates just how intelligent Ted is.

If you put the words “intelligent” and “Ted” in the same sentence, the verb will probably walk off the job.
BillSays

dat ted be sucking on dat palin toes- he want dat girl, but he stil suc on reid and obammas
felixw

Ted- said:
idiot.

Instead of wasting the time of intelligent people on this site, why don’t you engage in a conversation with your different aliases? At least then, you can accuse your different identities of idiocy — and finally have posted something that made some sense.
BillSays

dat ted he be getting upset. he must want more men inside his boddy.
writer

Ted, you misunderstand. I’m glad you think buying gold is a bad idea. The idea of you stupidly wallowing in poverty is amusing.
Ted-

BillSays said:
dat ted be sucking on dat palin toes- he want dat girl, but he stil suc on reid and obammas

Translation: Felix, nutsomuch and writer are related. Within the same family but related. Thanks Bill.
BillSays

ted, dam dawg, does dat obammas where condom or go bare back on your ass
Ted-

writer said:
Ted, you misunderstand. I’m glad you think buying gold is a bad idea. The idea of you stupidly wallowing in poverty is amusing.

Buy your god damned food insurance and shut the pie hole.
Ted-

BillSays said:
ted, dam dawg, does dat obammas where condom or go bare back on your ass

BillSays said:
ted, dam dawg, does dat obammas where condom or go bare back on your ass

I think we’re on the same page Bill. Your mother should have worn protection and you are an abortion.
BillSays

dat ted be on all fours for his lover men. he say to omammas drive it home, drive it home. i guess dat ted have no houssing of his own
VRWC Destruction Machine

Ted- said:
Does anyone speak tea-bag-ese. Writer?

I believe you do, Ted.

I won’t ask if you won’t tell.
BillSays

dat ted call da police and say he be raped. police ax him what did he look like and dat ted say i dont knoww, i dont have eyes in da back of the head
writer

Ted, you want to triple your money?

Ted: “No. I don’t wanna!”

LOL
Ted-

BillSays said:
dat ted be on all fours for his lover men. he say to omammas drive it home, drive it home. i guess dat ted have no houssing of his own

Translation: Bills mother did some very untoward things. Sorry Bill, we’re all in your corner.
Ted-

VRWC Destruction Machine said:
I believe you do, Ted.

I won’t ask if you won’t tell.

How would you know?
BillSays

dawgss, dat ted wear knee pads now- he scrap his caps badly when he in mens room
Ted-

writer said:
Ted, you want to triple your money?

Ted: “No. I don’t wanna!”

LOL

Writer – do you really think I give a shit? Now shut TFU and buy food insurance.
BillSays

ted, you like getting shitt blistered. dawg, that just be wrong
writer

LOL.
Ted-

BillSays said:
dawgss, dat ted wear knee pads now- he scrap his caps badly when he in mens room

Bill – you seem to be babbling. If you want to wear the knee pads, you and writer will have to handle that. Good luck,
BillSays

dat ted say he done burst the veins in his crank working on a grapefruit. dam dawgs, leave da fruit be
Greg

writer said:
Ted, you want to triple your money?

Ted: “No. I don’t wanna!”

LOL

Writer,

Gold prices are artificially inflated… Prices do not reflect sustainable trends or productive value… The metal might have some room left before it tops out but it is certainly unwise to jump into the late stages of an inflationary period for any commodity…
Ted-

BillSays said:
ted, you like getting shitt blistered. dawg, that just be wrong

Okay, so your momma, she didn’t love you dat way you wanted to be loved dawg. Hope that’s understood, I tried,
writer

Too bad Beck doesn’t tell Ted that people need air to live. Ted would try to stop breathing.
BillSays

dawg ted, you have no mother you were just shitted out in a lake, like a tadd pole dawg
Ted-

BillSays said:
dawg ted, you have no mother you were just shitted out in a lake, like a tadd pole dawg

dawg Bill – you be the product of incest? dat seem to be it….dawg.
Greg

writer said:
Too bad Beck doesn’t tell Ted that people need air to live. Ted would try to stop breathing.

http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2010/07/glenn-beck-goldline/
BillSays

dat ted have more seman in his ass than are in a submarine. dat just wrong
writer

Greg, if you invested ten years ago, it would have to make a hell of a sudden crash to lose any money. Besides, Ted just says it’s bad because he heard Beck say it’s a good investment. And all he knows is that he hates Beck. Like I said, if Beck told him he needed air, Ted would hold his breath.
Ted-

BillSays said:

Oh dawg, you related to dat uncle ov yers, Uncle bob?
baby gerald

This is the new line touted mostly by the conservative side– all these campaign donations are insignificant, making the absurd argument that we spend more each year on irrelevant and unrelated things like yogurt or halloween candy, that the cash spent on campaigns is of negligible effect on the election outcomes, and, finally, that the threat of foreign influence on our elections through these funding channels is also negligible. Nothing to see here, move along.

David Brooks spouted this exact same nonsense in his op-ed column in the NY Times earlier this week, replete with a host of imaginary numbers to cloud just how much is being spent on both sides then claiming that, in the end, all the cash shoveled into this mid-term election has no real influence on the outcome, going so far as to claim that these multimillion dollar donations are more for the ‘feel-good’ effect they offer the donors than for the spoils that would most assuredly come back to them once their chosen candidates are declared victorious.

I think it’s obscene the amount of money spent by both sides of the aisle during these elections and am troubled by the anonymous nature of so many of these donations, but for the life of me I can’t figure out how best to correct it without running afoul of the Bill of Rights. Free speech is free speech even if you’re not always happy with the outcome. If a corporation wants to support a candidate, I’m guessing it should be allowed to do so just as labor unions and other large organizations can.

I do think, however, that these corporate institutions should not be able to hide behind anonymity when making these donations. All donations by corporations should have the company’s tax identification number on the donation check. Since the Citizens United ruling judged these corporations as having the same rights as individuals, perhaps their donations should be capped at the same totals as individuals. If Proctor & Gamble wants to give to candidate X, allow them to donate at the same limits as Mr. Proctor N. Gamble.

Another, more drastic solution would be to rule that the First Amendment doesn’t apply and set a federally-funded limit for all candidates. Allow every candidate an equivalent amount of campaign funds and airtime for commercials, eliminate third-party advertising, and leave it at that. Otherwise, it will soon reach the point where the total spent during an election cycle meets or exceeds the GDP of third world countries.
Ted-

writer, just curious. You related to Bill?
Greg

Writer,

Of course investing ten years ago would have resulted in healthy growth… That is separate from a critique of Becks particular advice on gold investing… Check out the info graphic I linked to if you have time…

Additionally, you can make money on a speculative bubble… Timing is crucial though… The small guy rarely gets out ahead of the big guy.
writer

Actually, I invested in gold before I ever heard of Glenn Beck, because more often than not, it’s always been a sound investment. Disagreeing politically with the guys doing commercials never was a factor for me.
Greg

“V Today’s decision is backwards in many senses. It elevates the majority’s agenda over the litigants’ submissions, facial attacks over as-applied claims, broad constitutional theories over narrow statutory grounds, individual dissenting opinions over precedential holdings, assertion over tradition, absolutism over empiricism, rhetoric over reality. Our colleagues have arrived at the conclusion that Austin must be overruled and that §203 is facially unconstitutional only after mischaracterizing both the reach and rationale of those authorities, and after bypassing or ignoring rules of judicial restraint used to cabin the Court’s lawmaking power. Their conclusion that the societal interest in avoiding corruption and the appearance of corruption does not provide an adequate justification for regulating corporate expenditures on candidate elections relies on an incorrect description of that interest, along with a failure to acknowledge the relevance of established facts and the considered judgments of state and federal legislatures over many decades.

In a democratic society, the longstanding consensus on the need to limit corporate campaign spending should outweigh the wooden application of judge-made rules. The majority’s rejection of this principle “elevate[s] corporations to a level of deference which has not been seen at least since the days when substantive due process was regularly used to invalidate regulatory legislation thought to unfairly impinge upon established economic interests.” Bellotti, 435 U. S., at 817, n. 13 (White, J., dissenting). At bottom, the Court’s opinion is thus a rejection of the common sense of the American people, who have recognized a need to prevent corporations from undermining selfgovernment since the founding, and who have fought against the distinctive corrupting potential of corporate electioneering since the days of Theodore Roosevelt. It is a strange time to repudiate that common sense. While American democracy is imperfect, few outside the majorityof this Court would have thought its flaws included a dearth of corporate money in politics.” – Stevens Dissent

Impeach Roberts
lazzzlo

crclarkNY said:
Maybe I’m not “most people”, but I don’t think donors should be anonymous. I also think there should be limits for individuals, corporations and not for profits and all presidential candidates should us public money like McCain did (and Obama said he was going to do….).

No argument…on both sides.
The Real Royal King

This is all so very confusing. If I understand the argument, it is:

UNACCEPTABLE: Verifiable campaign contributions from hard-working American men and women.

ACCEPTABLE: Undisclosed campaign contributions from Chinese coroporations.

Is that about the essence of the argument presented here?
Greg

writer said:
Actually, I invested in gold before I ever heard of Glenn Beck, because more often than not, it’s always been a sound investment. Disagreeing politically with the guys doing commercials never was a factor for me.

It is not a question of political disagreement, it is a question of fraud.
lazzzlo

baby gerald said:
I think it’s obscene the amount of money spent by both sides of the aisle during these elections and am troubled by the anonymous nature of so many of these donations, but for the life of me I can’t figure out how best to correct it without running afoul of the Bill of Rights. Free speech is free speech even if you’re not always happy with the outcome. If a corporation wants to support a candidate, I’m guessing it should be allowed to do so just as labor unions and other large organizations can.

It is what it is and we are seeing the worst of it right now before an election.

If you really, as a potential voter, read the issue in front of you, you won’t get swayed but this bullsh#t.
Greg

http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/GoldlineGlennBeck4.jpg
lazzzlo

“by this potential BS”…typed quicker than the keyboard recognized!!!
writer

Greg, that depends on where you buy it. A sound investment doesn’t become a bad investment just because you disagree with a guy doing a commercial. I didn’t happen to go through Goldline, but from what I’ve heard, they have a higher rating than many others.
Pablo

Greg said:
That is separate from a critique of Becks particular advice on gold investing…

Which is what, exactly? I’ve heard the pitch a million times. Have you?
notsofast

The Real Royal King said:
ACCEPTABLE: Undisclosed campaign contributions from Chinese coroporations.

Oh, please do share with all of us the news report stating this as fact.
lazzzlo

just curious.
lazzzlo

lol, huh…no images w/ code allowed.
Greg

writer said:
Greg, that depends on where you buy it. A sound investment doesn’t become a bad investment just because you disagree with a guy doing a commercial. I didn’t happen to go through Goldline, but from what I’ve heard, they have a higher rating than many others.

The rating means nothing…

http://www.bbbroundup.com/LeadStory.html
lazzzlo

It’s easy to check Troy ounce in various markets. My link would appear to have been dis-allowed.
Patrick Henry

BillSays said:
dawg ted, you have no mother you were just shitted out in a lake, like a tadd pole dawg

LOL
writer

I think CoinLink said it best.
“They use Glenn Beck and the other conservative spokespersons to target a demographic that will be the most receptive to their message. That is business. And unless you are an advocate of price controls, they can charge whatever they like for the products that they sell, the same way that I can choose to take my business elsewhere if I think the coins being offered are over priced.”
lazzzlo

I invest stable…but there is no question that GOLD can be sold for a profit right now.
lazzzlo

lazzzlo said:
“They use Glenn Beck and the other conservative spokespersons to target a demographic that will be the most receptive to their message. That is business. And unless you are an advocate of price controls, they can charge whatever they like for the products that they sell, the same way that I can choose to take my business elsewhere if I think the coins being offered are over priced.”

Fair market…buyer beware.
lazzzlo

I have to work on my quotes better…that last one should have been attributed to “writer”.
Pablo

Greg said:
The rating means nothing…

http://www.bbbroundup.com/LeadStory.html

http://www.bbbroundup.com/AboutUs.html

Who

Jimmie Rivers is the pen name of an Emmy nominated, former CBS affiliate news director in a top 20 market. Mr. Rivers also served as publisher of an investigative journal that was the state’s largest paid circulation magazine. For several years he worked for one of the nation’s highest profile advertising agencies.

Well, that’s certainly authoritative. Here’s more good solid info.
notsofast

Greg said:
The rating means nothing…

http://www.bbbroundup.com/LeadStory.html

Why is it that everything with the word”business” associated with it is bad? Hiss bbbroundup looks like a one man persecution squad.

And just why do you think, that outside that pathetic Weiner, no one else is talking about this except libs who have no funds to invest with in the first place.
Pablo

notsofast said:
Hiss bbbroundup looks like a one man persecution squad.

Make that an anonymous one man persecution squad.
Pablo

See, you can’t believe Glenn Beck because of what somebody says Beck said, but you can put your full faith and trust in some anonymous crackpot with an agenda and a website. Yeah, I definitely want investment advice from Greg.
VRWC Destruction Machine

Ted- said:
How would you know?

Never a day passes without you mentioning teabagging.

Either you are an idiot who doesn’t know “teabagging” is a pejorative term or you have this need express this childish side of your personality.

As long as you use the term, I will point out those flaws in your character.

Please, don’t tell.
Greg

notsofast said:
Why is it that everything with the word”business” associated with it is bad? Hiss bbbroundup looks like a one man persecution squad.

And just why do you think, that outside that pathetic Weiner, no one else is talking about this except libs who have no funds to invest with in the first place.

Your style of argument is unique.
1. Assert something ridiculous and then ask if I believe it.
2. Attack a source while ignoring the argument.
3. Attack an elected representative
4. Attack all liberals

Press submit comment
http://www.abramsresearch.com/ Dan Abrams

Its as hilarious as it is sad that people who should know better keep suggesting (see Maureen Dowd today) that the Citizens United ruling allowed for more “secret” or “surreptitious” or “covert” money to be given by corporations. Those who actually read the ruling know that the court UPHELD the disclosure part of the campaign finance law!
notsofast

Oh, and libs, outside of their officers, thug protection people and stewards, just how many jobs have unions created?

The answer- Zero, nada, zilch.

And if unions are so great for the working man, just why do you think that less than 13% of workers in the USA belong to unions and those that do are predominately in the public sector?
Greg

Pablo said:
See, you can’t believe Glenn Beck because of what somebody says Beck said, but you can put your full faith and trust in some anonymous crackpot with an agenda and a website. Yeah, I definitely want investment advice from Greg.

The fact that Hamas has an A- rating while other reputable businesses falter signifies that the rating system is flawed… If you refuse to respond to that reality then you add nothing but your own masturbatory enjoyment for nonsense.
lazzzlo

Press submit comment

GOLD is running at a profit.
lazzzlo

Dan Abrams said:
Its as hilarious as it is sad that people who should know better keep suggesting (see Maureen Dowd today) that the Citizens United ruling allowed for more “secret” or “surreptitious” or “covert” money to be given by corporations.

The law works for those that want it to work for.
Pablo

Dan Abrams said:
Its as hilarious as it is sad that people who should know better keep suggesting (see Maureen Dowd today) that the Citizens United ruling allowed for more “secret” or “surreptitious” or “covert” money to be given by corporations. Those who actually read the ruling know that the court UPHELD the disclosure part of the campaign finance law!

It is a shabby hook, Dan, but it’s the one the Dems have chosen to hang their hopes on this cycle. Some folks just can’t help but fall in line and carry the party banner.
lazzzlo

If the ads make you, as a voter, decide…there is something wrong.

Read the issues and vote accordingly.
notsofast

Greg said:
Your style of argument is unique.
1. Assert something ridiculous and then ask if I believe it.
2. Attack a source while ignoring the argument.
3. Attack an elected representative
4. Attack all liberals

Press submit comment

Your style of argument is unique.

1Assert something ridiculous by an unsubstantiated and unknown source.
2. Attack Beck with no proof that Goldline has done anything illegal while ignoring the fact that lib commentators also shill gold.
3. Grant reverence to an elected official who is on a personal crusade.
4. Attack a business with no foundation .
Pablo

Greg said:
The fact that Hamas has an A- rating while other reputable businesses falter signifies that the rating system is flawed… If you refuse to respond to that reality then you add nothing but your own masturbatory enjoyment for nonsense.

Fact? Plug “Hamas” into the BBB national database and bring back the fact you find, ok?

http://www.bbb.org/us/Find-Business-Reviews/

Been there? OK, tell me more about reality and masturbation.
Pablo

Pablo said:
Which is what, exactly? I’ve heard the pitch a million times. Have you?

BTW, are you going to answer this question, Greg?
lazzzlo

As the the general voting public…we are treated like absolute idiots.

We vote…and some of us read.
the real john t

VRWC Destruction Machine said:
Never a day passes without you mentioning teabagging.
Either you are an idiot who doesn’t know “teabagging” is a pejorative term or you have this need express this childish side of your personality.
As long as you use the term, I will point out those flaws in your character.

I notice you didn’t have a thing to say about BillSays’ juvenile comments. So why don’t you climb down off your self righteous high horse.
felixw

shootfromthehip said:
Felix is indeed an idiot.

Here you go, retard.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128804239

The headline is:

“Senate Republicans Block Campaign Finance Bill”

The DISCLOSE act was a joke. Do you understand that unions, Acorn and other Democrat interest groups were exempted. When you try to block your opponents donations, and protect your own, you can’t call it campaign finance reform. It’s corruption, plain and simple. No wonder you support it.
notsofast

the real john t said:
I notice you didn’t have a thing to say about BillSays’ juvenile comments. So why don’t you climb down off your self righteous high horse.

I noticed you didn’t say and have never said anything about Ted’s comments, so take your selective outrage somewhere else.
lazzzlo

When you try to block your opponents donations, and protect your own…

That is called politics.
lazzzlo

Itis only outrageous when the political party is against your belief.
lazzzlo

I cheer the wierd, outrageuos ads….but the bottom line…as a constituent, I vote per what I believe…not what someone tells me to believe.
Greg

notsofast said:
Your style of argument is unique.

1Assert something ridiculous by an unsubstantiated and unknown source.
2. Attack Beck with no proof that Goldline has done anything illegal while ignoring the fact that lib commentators also shill gold.
3. Grant reverence to an elected official who is on a personal crusade.
4. Attack a business with no foundation .

Nothing that you have written is relevant. Claims of an “unsubstantiated” and “unknown” source are false on their face and even then the argument from the source remains unrefuted and simply assaulted… Claims of “no proof” ignore the proof provided, you extrapolate to an unfounded “reverence” based on my dislike for simple assault and finally claim again that I have attacked a business with no “foundation” further ignoring evidence provided. Either you refuse to read, comprehend poorly or are disingenuous in your arguments… In any case you prove yourself unfit for conversation outside of a middle school lunch room.
Mr.Papshmer

Pablo said:
Make that an anonymous one man persecution squad.

I noticed that, too. Libs whine and bitch about Fox News, but don’t seem to mind at all getting their own information from an anonymous source with a crappy web page. :)
Greg

Pablo said:
BTW, are you going to answer this question, Greg?

Trust gold line, because gold is an important hedge in uncertain times…
Pablo

Greg said:
Claims of an “unsubstantiated” and “unknown” source are false on their face and even then the argument from the source remains unrefuted and simply assaulted…

For God’s sake, Greg, read the About Us page of your source.

Who

Jimmie Rivers is the pen name of an Emmy nominated, former CBS affiliate news director in a top 20 market. Mr. Rivers also served as publisher of an investigative journal that was the state’s largest paid circulation magazine. For several years he worked for one of the nation’s highest profile advertising agencies.

I’ve already linked and quoted it once. The FACT that you ignored it does not change the FACT that the argument is on the table. In fact, you’ve studiously avoided the FACTS on the table and claiming that they aren’t there makes you look silly. Where’s that Hamas link at the BBB?
Pablo

Greg said:
Trust gold line, because gold is an important hedge in uncertain times…

You’re saying he says that you should trust Goldline because gold is an important hedge? You’re wrong. He does say that gold is an important hedge, which it is and always has been. He also says you can trust Goldline, but not because gold is a good hedge against inflation. He’s got other reasons for that. Another thing he’s always saying is to check them out and check their competitors out. And that he’s getting paid to say those things. I’d be willing to bet that he’s never made a moronic statement like “Trust Goldline, because gold is an important hedge in uncertain times.”
the real john t

notsofast said:
I noticed you didn’t say and have never said anything about Ted’s comments, so take your selective outrage somewhere else.

And if you notice I didn’t say a word about Bill’s comments until someone selectively points out a liberals comments. So take your sorry ass someplace else. You hypocrite POS.
http://www.anonymousfinch.com AnonymousFinch

The Real Royal King said:
This is all so very confusing. If I understand the argument, it is:

UNACCEPTABLE: Verifiable campaign contributions from hard-working American men and women.

ACCEPTABLE: Undisclosed campaign contributions from Chinese coroporations.

Is that about the essence of the argument presented here?

No, you don’t understand the argument (as usual). The argument is as follows:

1. The First Amendment says that Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech.

2. The First Amendment means what it says.

Got it?
Sunnyr

Thank you, George Will. Between your common sense put-down to the loony leftists on This Week and Karl Roves smacking Bob Schieffer around this morning, I would say it was a great day for Repulicans. Karl kicked old Schieffer in the butt and then ate his lunch when Schieffer started whining about “foreign money, blah, blah, blah.” We are beating the Dems at their own game and they can’t handle it. If they don’t like the law they passed, they should change it! But we are playing the same game they have been playing for decades! And it’s perfectly legal. So STFU already! The public ain’t buying your BS!
the real john t

Sunnyr said:
If they don’t like the law they passed, they should change it!

What law did the liberals pass about foriegn money in campaigns?
lazzzlo

AnonymousFinch said:
No, you don’t understand the argument (as usual). The argument is as follows:

1. The First Amendment says that Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech.

2. The First Amendment means what it says.

Got it?

The only thing I see as an issue is that a corporation has been given free speech rights as an entity.
lazzzlo

And this is what we are arguing about…because now, it is possible.
The Real Royal King

AnonymousFinch said:
No, you don’t understand the argument (as usual). The argument is as follows:

1. The First Amendment says that Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech.

2. The First Amendment means what it says.

Got it?

But you avoided half the question, didn’t you. Why do you rightists always bleat, kvetch, moan and whine about hard-working American men and women pooling their limited resources to engage in the political process? Is it not the case that these people ought to enjoy the same First Amendment protections as Chinese corporations.

I’ll hand it to you. That was a very well performed diversion. But let’s get back to the question and hand and deal with it directly.
Pablo

The Real Rabid Kook said:
Is it not the case that these people ought to enjoy the same First Amendment protections as Chinese corporations.

They enjoy them. The Chinese corporations don’t. What I find hilarious is that you’re a lawyer who doesn’t even begin to understand the law.
The Real Royal King

Pablo said:
They enjoy them. The Chinese corporations don’t. What I find hilarious is that you’re a lawyer who doesn’t even begin to understand the law.

I can’t imagine why you find that amusing, Pablo. Surely, if the Tea Party has taught us anything it is that uneducated, ignorant people have all the answers and that the closer one is to MENSA status or even a post-graduate degree, the less Amerikan he or she has. All Hail Ignorance! All Hail Pablo!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jonathan-Scott/654124552 Jonathan Scott

The Washington Post article today really should smash the false media narrative on the Tea Party, turns out there are barely any of them and none of them know what they want and 10 percent say that Obama’s race is a factor. No big surprise there, those that have been paying attention and ignoring this ridiculous meme pushed by the “Lame Stream Media” have always known the Tea Party was just a handful of really loud people.
The Real Royal King

Jonathan Scott said:
The Washington Post article today really should smash the false media narrative on the Tea Party, turns out there are barely any of them and none of them know what they want and 10 percent say that Obama’s race is a factor. No big surprise there, those that have been paying attention and ignoring this ridiculous meme pushed by the “Lame Stream Media” have always known the Tea Party was just a handful of really loud people.

Yes. I was surprised to hear there was racism in the Tea Party. I had been assured it was free of any taint of racism.
writer

Yes, getting ‘nervous’ about people based solely on their appearance is a horrible thing. BTW, the King named his cat after FDR.
notsofast

the real john t said:
And if you notice I didn’t say a word about Bill’s comments until someone selectively points out a liberals comments. So take your sorry ass someplace else. You hypocrite POS.

And if you will notice that Ted was posting his profanity long before that guy complained about it and before this “Billsays” character showed up, so just kiss my ass you pusillanimous lib hypocrite POS.

And I’m sure that Ted’s rare “Thumbs Up” came from an ahole like YOU. FU
notsofast

The Real Royal King Is it not the case that these people ought to enjoy the same First Amendment protections as Chinese corporations.

LOL

Prove Chinese corporations are contributing. The only time the Chinese contributed was when the Chinese govt. backed Bill Clinton.
tanarg

Procter and Gamble.