• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Politicians May Have to Wear Donor Logos in California

Somerville

Somerville

DP Veteran
Joined
Apr 29, 2012
Messages
17,868
Reaction score
8,353
Location
On an island. Not that one!
Gender
Undisclosed
Political Leaning
Socialist
This might be a bill that both sides of the political spectrum could support

Politicians May Have to Wear Donor Logos in California

sponsored pols.jpg
This photo, courtesy of California is Not for Sale, shows what state legislators may look like if the group's proposed initiative becomes law.​

A wealthy Republican wants to require unprecedented transparency in California by forcing state politicians to plaster their suits and dresses with the logos of their top 10 donors -- and voters fed up with those politicians may actually get the chance to vote on the idea in November. The unusual dress code is offered in a proposed ballot initiative that backers say likely will be cleared for signature collection within the next week or two. Then, 365,880 valid signatures will have to be submitted for a spot on the ballot.

Initiative sponsor John Cox, an attorney who owes his fortune to real estate, says he doesn’t foresee a challenge in the threshold, which is relatively low due to poor 2014 voter turnout. Cox says he expects a boost from popular anti-establishment sentiment reflected in the presidential race. Cox says he’s seeking the endorsements of GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, both of whom have rallied passionate supporters in part by denouncing their rivals as indentured servants to corporations and other wealthy donors.
Click to expand...
 
Many years ago someone on the forum suggested that the politicians should be like race car drivers and wear their sponsor logos on their jump suits. I think that would be excellent.
 
It sounds so ridiculous but it is interestingly amusing as an idea. Not sure if I completely agree with it but there should definitely be something to identify to voters who exactly politicians are getting money from.
 
I like it. Let's dress them up like Nascar drivers.
 
Dumb idea. Just a useless stunt to entertain your average schmuck voter who has and never will watch a legislative session.
 
Or, wait for it, we could just ban them form accepting that money in the first place. Tackle the root of the problem.
 
Stupid idea. i would rather see a mandate for them to show a list of donors on their legislative web page.
 
Carjosse said:
Or, wait for it, we could just ban them form accepting that money in the first place. Tackle the root of the problem.
Click to expand...

That pesky 1st Amendment disagrees with you.
 
Love those California folks! An awesome idea, and if it comes to pass, it should be done nationwide.

I'm all for political donations by corporations, but those donations should be heavily taxed, general fund.
 
Somerville said:
This might be a bill that both sides of the political spectrum could support
Click to expand...

I like it.But democrats will get burned on this just as much as republicans will.
 
it won't ever happen, but i'd probably vote for it. i'd certainly vote for more extreme measures to curb lobbying and gerrymandering, and i'd probably vote to ban political parties entirely.
 
jamesrage said:
I like it.But democrats will get burned on this just as much as republicans will.
Click to expand...

Well as a democrat myself, I say "good." I don't care what party you are, this should have broad bipartisan support across the country.

At a minimum, it starts the conversation towards making this issue more transparent so that when politicians vote a certain way, we the people can cross reference their votes to their financial support just to gauge the level of corruption.
 
a351 said:
Dumb idea. Just a useless stunt to entertain your average schmuck voter who has and never will watch a legislative session.
Click to expand...

Oh? A lot of people got a kick out of watching John Boehner pass out checks from big tobacco lobbyists on the floor of the House before a vote on tobacco industry subsidies.
 
a351 said:
Dumb idea. Just a useless stunt to entertain your average schmuck voter who has and never will watch a legislative session.
Click to expand...

The average American doesn't know that he is the "special interest." It's apparently just some shadowy cabal.
 
Crosscheck said:
Many years ago someone on the forum suggested that the politicians should be like race car drivers and wear their sponsor logos on their jump suits. I think that would be excellent.
Click to expand...

A long time mantra of Thom Hartman's. And indeed a great idea.
 
Last edited:
Carjosse said:
Or, wait for it, we could just ban them form accepting that money in the first place. Tackle the root of the problem.
Click to expand...

That would be even better of course. But then the former has been suggested as a means to that end.
 
azgreg said:
Stupid idea. i would rather see a mandate for them to show a list of donors on their legislative web page.
Click to expand...

On their campaign placards and billboards, too!
 
Hilarious idea but not realistic. First, most Americans know that politicians are bought and paid for. Does it really matter that much who is doing the paying and would there really be that many suprises? Second, there would be so many logos on their outfits etc. that it would be hard to read. Nascar only has one, I believe. They would all just jumble together. Third, it might actually be more to the benefit of the payees because it would give them advertising.
 
Here's a NASCAR driver. It would be amusing, to say the least, to see our legislators come to Sacramento looking like this:

nascar-jeffgreen-290x300.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom