The Sunday, April 15th New York Times includes a front page article titled: "White House Welcomes Donors, And Lobbyists Slip in Door, Too." The article exposes how special interests (groups) have had little trouble making themselves heard." After reading the article (see link below) and summarizing it and expressing your opinions in the blog, comment about it in class for extra credit points.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/15/us/politics/white-house-doors-open-for-big-donors.html?_r=1&hp
Sunday, April 15, 2012
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This article discusses the problems we are facing in politics. Everyone is donating to Obama’s fundraisers and elections, but they are doing it for their own selfish purposes. People are donating for their connections with the president or people that are in really high rank in the White House. Their donations do not represent them supporting something they believe in, but rather it is a payment, like a bribe for a meeting that will benefit them. These actons are being denied both by the president and by the donators.
ReplyDeleteAre these big donors really in Obamas favor, or are they making contributions in order to get a "foot in the door." ? Some donors had no record of giving to the president so when they gave gifts close to the meeting date questions were raised of whether they came with expectations of access or were expressions of gratitude. Administration officials insisted that donations do not factor into White House visits. Eric Schultz pointed out "being a supporter of the president does not secure you a visit to the white house, nor does it preclude you from one." He also says that the people in this article are contributers to the president but the article fails to mention the thousands of people who visit every week and have never contributed a dime. Patrick J. Kennedy on the other hand says contributions are cimply a part of "how this business works." Ms. Bush says her donations had nothing to do with access to the white house and most of her meetings occurres before she made her donation in June. Lastly it is believed that a company hired the podesta group to press the white house and congress on Medicare coverage and reimbursement for drugs for end-stage renal disease, among other issues. Many who were involved in such acts refused to comment.
ReplyDeleteThe article discusses the question of whether donators are contributing with Obama’s presidency or if they are donating such amount of money for their own good. Some of this people’s donations are just made to enter The White House and the article assures that while more money they give the more visits they get to the house. As Eric Schultz said, “being a supporter of the president does not secure you a visit to The White House, nor does it exclude you from one.” What he is basically saying is that the fact that a person donates to the presidency does not changes whether he or she has her or his entrance to the White House assured. It is not a secret that people who use to donate greater amount of money, which is approximately two-thirds of the president’s top fund raisers are the ones who visit the White House numerous times. Of course these people’s entrance to the White House is seen as an expression of gratitude, which to me is true because even though some of them might have reasons to “benefit the country,” it is said that donation is not a factor to influence politics in some cases.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day this is politics. All politicians are in favor of getting re-elected and Obama's no different. I'm not saying that it is the case but the article points that way. Big contributions in my opinion does have more privileges and slips in the back-doors. I'm pretty sure those big donors have huge expectations and favors in mind. Obama's term will come to an end and the money could be useful. He'll first help himself then hopefully the people.
ReplyDeleteThis article displays the average thoughts of Americans, the I'll help you so you can help me theory. Donors are donating 40,000 dollars to the Obama's campaign because they feel if Barack win the 2012 presidential election he would benefit them subliminally. In reality, I don't blame the donors for trying to get a foot in the door, if you spend 40,000 in a plate of food it must come with many benefits. If not, that would be a quite dumb donation. Money talks and everything else walks.
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ReplyDelete..its a part of "how this business works" as stated in the article by patrick j. kennedy. Its not a coincidence that the are donating money right before meetings in the white house. They are donating money so they they can be seen and have a greater chance of getting in the doors. The more money you put on the table the more chance you have of being heard and looked at. They are selfish ad they are looking out for their best interests. of course they deny it when asked but if you look at the numbers, the ones who deny it the most are the ones who spend the most time comin in and out of the white house.
ReplyDeleteCHARY VALLE