See post below.
By Sarah Padgett – SNL Voice of the Day (6/23/08)
I’ve just attended the general session of the Americans for Prosperity Foundation event titled “Defending the American Dream,” held in Branson.
I feel compelled to write because I found Jetton’s comments crass, insensitive and nearing the point of vulgarity. Jetton was asked by the foundation to speak on the topic of grass-roots activism and how individuals can “influence” elected officials. Jetton’s first comment (literally) on how one might do this was to “open your checkbook.” He then stated a person might invite an elected official to lunch (I’m sure this would work as long as the invitee didn’t have to pay for his or her lunch) or attend an event, attempt to meet the politician and then write another check to support that politician. He also stated that while many people choose to e-mail or write their elected officials, unless he receives a large quantity of correspondence from constituents on the same topic, he won’t do anything because he’s “too busy” to read e-mail or letters. Guess he has more important things to do. To be fair, he also mentioned that people can volunteer their time to campaigns.
To me, the mere mention of political influence and money in the same sentence is crass and I was quite shocked and angry hearing it spewed from the mouth of an elected politician. It suggests that money, not the will of the people, not what is fair or just, is the vehicle to accomplish any political endeavor. Jetton even suggested to the audience that writing a “$25 or $50 check” will work, but I doubt that assertion, given that if in today’s economy $25 won’t even fill a tank with gas or buy two days’ worth of groceries that anything political could be accomplished with such a small amount, let alone influence a politician. Read more…
0 responses so far ↓
1 JasonB // Jul 7, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Kinder was the skillet – now we have the Pot (Roe) calling the Kettle (Jetton) black.
2 Brian // Jul 7, 2008 at 9:53 pm
The thinking in this article is completely muddled.
Is the writer offended by an unseemly part of political reality, or the mere fact that Jetton publicly acknowledged that reality?
This commentary appears to be manufactured self-righteous indignation on the part of the author.
3 Hoosier // Jul 8, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Look up dilhole in the dictionary and you find a picture of Rod Jetton.
4 Mary Ueland // Jul 8, 2008 at 9:04 pm
It’s sad, but all too true. At least Rod Jetton acknowledges the way things work. If every other elected official in Jefferson City were completely honest, they’d admit the same thing.
Open your checkbook? We try to sound shocked. But in all honesty, we know that’s how things work.
Rather than pointing the finger at Jetton for telling the truth, shame on us that we have allowed a political system malfunction like this.
Politicians (Republicans and Democrats alike) get away with letting money talk the loudest, because everyday people only care enough to complain, but not enough to do anything about it.
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