Node Of Evil - Fair And Balanced Reporting

Monday, July 26, 2004

 
Corporate Candidate

I begin with a story that's partly true -- however, I don't remember the exact facts so we'll treat it as a fable. This is part story, part thought question:

There once was a small community comprising several towns in Africa. This community decided long ago to order its political affairs thusly; anyone could become "mayor" of the community. There were no patriarchs, no council that picked a leader, no elections. Instead, one could buy the office of mayor, which was offered for sale on a yearly basis. The price of the mayor's office was not fixed; rather, whoever offered the most money for it could buy it at the yearly sale. The proceeds from the sale went into public coffers to fund various community projects. As time progressed, this community demonstrated a marked ability to adapt to change. First it was production of rubber that produced wealth. The wealthiest man, therefore, was the man who could produce or control the production of the most rubber, and subsequently he bought the mayorship This man continued to buy the office of mayor until one day, a tobacco farmer from across town, who had worked and saved and grown his business was able to outbid the rubber farmer and he bought the mayor's office. He was subsequently bought out by a man who had a steel mill, and he was bought out of office by another man who learned how to make radios. (I stop here out of deference to a certain famous Foreign Service Entrance Exam question. If you know the question (as "the radio" is the answer), you get something for free. Maybe a candy bar.)

My question is, did they live happily ever after?

While pondering that question, ponder also the power of the 527 organizations and what it would take in American politics to have a multi-party system. Some food for thought as we start out into convention season...

Andrew 8:17 AM : |

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