I read a news story in our local paper a few days ago that says all the election races combined this year — presidential, congressional, senatorial, etc. — will total about $5.4 BILLION dollars. This is supposed to be the most expensive election in U.S. history by far. My reaction was to be horrified that we spend that much money for elections. It clearly means you can’t be elected to a national office, at least, without spending a lot of money.
Then I read the rest of the story and got a really odd perspective on the high costs of elections. The same story says AMERICANS WILL SPEND ABOUT $6 BILLION THIS WEEK ON HALLOWEEN.
In other words: Americans are willing to shell out more for a week’s indulgence in parties and candy than we are to elect those who lead us. I guess that’s how I understand that, anyway.
All my life I’ve enjoyed Halloween. I’m not a morbid or “scary” person. (I once tried to write a horror novel, but just really couldn’t generate interest in doing it.) When I was a kid I really enjoyed the trick or treat candy, candy apples, popcorn balls, etc., and when my two kids were small we took ‘em around the neighborhood — and we still give out candy each year ourselves.
But somehow it doesn’t seem right to me that we have such an imbalance in our national priorities (as if we really HAD any national priorities).
Does that mean we should spend MORE on elections? Or less on Halloween?
How about BOTH. How about we spend more on secure, easily usable voting methods, and more on getting people registered and motivated to vote? And that we also try to show some sense and moderation on our partying and candy buying? (Yeah, I know. Hard times like these probably call for MORE chocolate and not less.)
How do you feel about this odd comparison/contrast on how we spend our money? Leave a comment and let us know.