There has been much debate and criticism over how politicians raise money for campaigns and the ultimate effect it has on the political process. Some have likened campaign finance, especially through super PAC's, to political bribery. Politicians can create almost as many super PAC's as they want, all in an effort to raise money for their campaigns, and almost anyone can donate untold sums of money to them, most hoping to sway the given politician to their side. Well, if we thought the process was a big mess and on the verge of scandalous, then we were right. I personally just found out about this, but Stephen Colbert the comedian applied to form a super PAC in this past May and was actually granted permission in June. Now, to my knowledge, Colbert has no desire to run for president, he simply wants to make a mockery of the whole system and expose it for what it really is. Well, my hat (which I never wear) goes off to Colbert. If Americans can't figure out what is wrong with the system and have no interest in changing it, maybe Colbert will provide a little initiative and finally expose the travesty that is our campaign finance system. His application and ensuing permission to form a super PAC shows that there is obviously something wrong with our system (no offense to Colbert). When a comedian with no political interest except to poke fun at politicians and expose flaws in the system gets to form a super PAC, maybe we need to fix something, or then again, maybe it shows that any person serious enough about running for political office can actually find a way to raise money to run a campaign.
The story of Colbert's super PAC, named Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow, came from a NYTimes article. The biggest impact that Colbert's super PAC seemingly has, is its ability to get airtime on radio stations for Colbert's own political commercials, mostly lampooning those who are actually trying to run for office. My hopes are that he exposes more of them for the lying bastards that they are bring them back down to earth from outer space where they seem to be residing currently. Maybe by providing a voice of satire, one that exposes flaws and weaknesses, more Americans will get serious about changing the system. Currently, most Americans don't know that much about how super PAC's work or who gets to donate money to them, etc. I include myself in this bunch. Maybe Colbert will actually cause some good to come out of this besides his comedy. If Colbert, the persistent comedian, can promote change in this country to systems formerly thought untouchable, then maybe he should run for president. If he did and won, I might actually watch the president's address to the nation or actually pay more attention to what is going on. Perhaps what we need is someone to get in there and rile up the mass of seething politicians in D.C. and force them to become accountable for their actions. Who better than a comedian to do so? Granted, there would be some issues with Colbert as president, but I wouldn't mind a change of scenery from these last few presidents. Maybe with Colbert's satire in office, exposing the flaws of the entire system, we could institute some change.
Why am I actually suggesting that Colbert become president? Probably because looking at the last few presidents, and the promises they made for change, I can see that they like to lie through their teeth and paint a glossy picture of how things are. What about some truth for a change, not mangled in long distorted speeches, but succinct and to the point so the average citizen can understand. Truth, alas, is hard to come by these days, especially in D.C. Maybe Colbert, as satirical and lampoonish as he is, actually looks for the truth and in his attempt to bring the truth to light, exposes the lies and flaws of other media outlets and politicians. In any case, for now we will have to deal with our politicians being who they are, lying bastards with their own personal agenda or that of a given corporation attempting to win our approval through more lies and fake smiles. I've said it before, and I will say it again, down with the Republicans and Democrats, and oh yeah, those Tea Party screw ups as well. Its time for a new political party, the American Party, dedicated to truth, simplicity in politics, and economic growth (not the supposed growth we have now, actual growth). Its time to shake things up and make a change. Lets take a hint from Colbert; get your own super PAC and run for office, it can't be that hard. Lets find someone who is willing to take on the big guns, speak the truth, and start things off on the right foot. Any takers?
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