How do politicians justify spending millions of dollars in campaining on a job that only pays a $100K a year or so?
by 
lunatik
ANSWERS: 4
-
Holding political office is about more than just the pay. Half (or more) of the reason for running is the prestige of being an elected official and the power and influence that comes with it.
-
Also keep in mind that the Politicians themselves can only spend so much on thier campaign! (Or, at least in MOST places they can!) The rest is made up by things like Fundrasing dinners ETC. So they aren't exactly spending millions of their OWN money..
-
As noted, the politicians themselves don't spend all that money so it doesn't matter so much that their own pay is not that great, relatively speaking. What's of importance here, I feel, is how politicians justify the amount given to them by donors. In other words, what do the donors get for their money. If their politician wins, smaller donors will have the peace of mind to know that their guy (or gal) won and will have helped to determine the future of their city, state, country, etc. Larger donors might expect greater favors. For instance, the politician might work towards loosening or tightening trade restrictions, environmental restrictions, monopoly restrictions, etc. depending on what people from what industries helped get them into office. That might mean millions or even billions more for a company - a great return for their money.
-
The office is about power and money. The control of money...other people's. They are elected using the funds of others. So the cost is not thiers.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC