S: Is for spending gone aray!

We are a country going into a recession. In a spirit of "generosity" Congressional leaders and the White House will dole out $600 to individuals to help out an ailing economy. Yet Democrats and Republicans have raised more than $582 million for their 2008 presidential campaigns. For what? To slander, to pollute our skies with their state to state romps. Am I the only one that sees this as hypocritical? With the office of president comes a great deal of power, power that could be used to set an example. What if instead of all the parties, the dinners, the racking up of frequent flyer miles they went to New Orleans and rebuilt a school. You don't think that wouldn't get votes and or press? We spend too much time and money on the presidential election. Campaigning is a demonstration and economic booster for the printer and marketing companies. In election years there is always a paper shortage. F.A.C.T. Isn't our environment a crucial issue? It is easy to fall into a category of ignorance, but if we ever want to make a difference, we need to start somewhere. The big deal as of late is Obama $6.1 million to McCain's $2.2 million. Did you know candidates who accept public funding are eligible for about $85 million, which is paid for by a $3 checkoff on IRS tax return forms. If a candidates reject public funds it would be historic rejection of the public financing system. No major party candidate has ever rejected public funds for the general election since the system was put in place in the 1970s after the Watergate scandal. John McCain's campaign today is drawing unwelcome scrutiny from the agency that monitors US elections in a dispute that could reverberate if he faces Barack Obama in November's general election. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) released a letter to McCain today that questions his ability to withdraw from the presidential public financing system – and avoid the spending limits that come with it. The FEC asked McCain to explain whether he used public funds as collateral for a $1m bank loan last month, a move that would commit him to a taxpayer-funded campaign. The query is especially awkward on a day the senator is fighting allegations he had an affair with a lobbyist, and given that he has blasted Obama for appearing to hedge on his pledge to accept public financing for the general election. McCain's $1m loan, was taken out just before the New Hampshire primary. The loan effectively wagered that McCain would continue winning future primaries – which he did, taking South Carolina and Florida soon afterward – allowing him to pay back the bank with new donations. Cash strapped Hillary Clinton asks supporters to dig deep for the underdog pleading with voters to stick with her and telling donors they must help to “level the playing field” before crunch elections on March 4. Figures published showed Mrs Clinton’s campaign would have ended January about $4 million in the red if she had not lent it $5 million of her own money. Mr Obama, by contrast had almost $20 million cash in hand. Debts include $2 million owed to her chief strategist, Mark Penn, and unpaid bills for insurance, phone banks, printing and catering. Obama is appealing for still more donors so that his total of more than 900,000 contributors will hit seven figures before March 4.

I think the focus needs to change. How many lives could of been changed with the amount of money spent? How many people healed? How many people could of been educated? Imagine the dent if the money went to admissions and the environment. Imagine, imagine, imagine and maybe someday it will be a F.A.C.T.