The various spokespeople for businesses that kicked in a total of $1.2 million for Democrats in a highfalutin' Cary gathering last April all spoke of the contributions solicited by Governor Perdue with basically the same public-spirited tone. It went something like this: Sure, we're giving a lot of money, but we want to help North Carolina be a public policy leader. We want to help people understand the issues. We're all about helping, yes indeedy.
Look, if the Democrats want to go to a fancy hotel (in this case, The Umstead in Cary) and pick the pockets of corporations interested in investing in access to policy-makers, that's one thing. But please, spare us the rationalizations. Special-interest groups don't cross politicians' palms without expecting something in return. It may be no threat to the Republic, but it's not philanthropy. (And don't get us started on the million-dollar gift Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. gave to the Republican Governors Association.)
Why can't the big givers just say: We have an interest in seeing that regulation of our industry (fill in the blank) doesn't get out of hand, and when the party in power goes to legislating, we expect to get the attention of the people in charge. And nothing gets their attention like some long green.
A player
The governor is becoming a player in the Democratic Governors Association, and last April 6 and 7, a "regional policy conference" and fundraiser undoubtedly raised her profile. That $1.2 million was a record for the group, reported The News & Observer's Rob Christensen. The governors' group can collect these fat checks directly from corporations legally, without the irritation of limits on political donations.
In the case of this event, power companies, a railroad, banks, health care companies, software firms, utilities and lobbying firms all made big contributions. Progress Energy gave $50,000. Duke Energy gave $100,000. Bank of America gave $10,000. (Things are a little rough in the banking industry these days.)
And they'll give again, of course, because money drives politics, where the drumbeat for public financing is muffled by those in power, who after all are in a position to raise big money. Reform? We'll call for that when we're not in charge.
The way it is
Bob Hall, executive director of the public policy watchdog Democracy North Carolina, rightly says the only thing that can alter the status quo is a fundamental change in the system, notably spreading public financing opportunities around at all levels. (North Carolina offers limited public financing in select races.)
"It is a competitive marketplace where special interests win favor by supplying cash. And the politicians have no alternative but to go to private interests for their money," Hall said. "Unless the public comes up with a better solution."
The problem is twofold. First, big contributors get access to policy-makers that ordinary citizens don't have. Sometimes, that manifests itself in an easing of regulation, or more subtle changes in oversight. Second, when the volume is turned up on the voices of the special interests, those of average citizens are harder to hear.
What will it take to change things? Hall pretty much had it right. If the public finances campaigns, then the public gains influence over those who emerge victorious.
And don't think the corporate interests would necessarily be disappointed. The truth is, they'd probably be relieved if they could leave their wallets at home for a change.
