It has been said that “money is the mother’s milk of politics.” Unfortunately, that often tends to be true. One of many examples is in Tennessee’s 4th Congressional District, bordering the 3rd District, which includes Chattanooga.
In the 4th District, liberal Democrat Rep. Lincoln Davis and conservative Dr. Scott DesJarlais are fighting it out.
This campaign cycle, DesJarlais’ campaign has spent almost $640,000. Davis’ campaign has spent an even greater amount: about $944,000.
But it’s worse than that! “Outside” groups — the Republican Party, the Democratic Party and “other” organizations — have reported spending hundreds of thousands of dollars more in the 4th District.
Realistically, it takes money to buy advertising, cover printing and mailing, and pay other campaign expenses. But we are uncomfortable when there is so much money involved. We don’t want “the best politician money can buy.” We want high-quality officials who hold sound principles to prevail.
We don’t suspect that either Davis or DesJarlais has done anything illegal where campaign financing is concerned. But the system that involves so much money is sickening.
Don’t you wish candidates could just “say” and “show” where they stand, and let the voters decide.