[jabberwocka]

Lord Acton famously said that power tends to corrupt; and absolute power corrupts absolutely. 

We have a presidential candidate with truly massive wealth.  While that may mean he cannot be bought, my question is this:  What does he bring to governance in a time when most people live from paycheck to paycheck? 

[jabberwocka]

Lord Acton famously said that power tends to corrupt; and absolute power corrupts absolutely. 

We have a presidential candidate with truly massive wealth.  While that may mean he cannot be bought, my question is this:  What does he bring to governance in a time when most people live from paycheck to paycheck? 

[jamblessedthree]

You're talking Romney, right... I think people who hate him so much can't see the forest through the trees, why his wealth stands in the way of people's perception of him is beyond me! And is that how we should characterize ALL politicians? Look up Romney's record and debate one of those issues.. Thanks!

[jabberwocka]

The "hate and/or envy wealth"* meme is wearisome and does nothing whatsoever to enhance debate. It's illogical, irritating, and dishonest.  Frankly, it gets my engine revved in large part because it's also grossly simplistic and emotional. 

The question stands as valid. Does wealth affect a person's ability to govern? If so, to what degree? Is the effect constant or are there other variables? Does it accelerate the aggregation of power? If so, wouldn't that lead to an equally accelerated corrupting?  Are there exceptions?

I don't have any intention of discarding the issue, nor will voters if Romney becomes the GOP candidate. The most sensible thing to do for those who support him is to marshal some reasonable answers to questions such as those above and stop acting like ostriches or trying the Newt route of "best defense is to be offensive".

*At least a half dozen times within the past week, assumptions have been made by posters on this board about my emotions or economic circumstances, which had no basis and no veracity.

[jamblessedthree]

Ok, then Romney aside... Yes, IMO wealth does contribute to a person's ability to govern. Look around you, why is it senior management and CEOs make more than those in lower ranks? That's not without saying that larger jobs are riskier than lower jobs too as it's THEIR tail that's on the line when problems arise too. And who isn't motivated by money? But with money comes a responsibility too... Going back to Romeny, if all that the man was is one big dollar sign then I'd be less impressed by him. But I see him for his smarts on issues and I think he's a great example of hard work and success too.

If I've attacked your posts personally or on emotion I apologize!

[ohearto]

I do not envy Romney.   At all.   Yes, IMO, I do think some politicians can be bought.    I still am shocked that not a single Republican candidate could answer a question about what they have "Given up"   because they could not afford it.    Especially with so many Americans struggling to just put food on the table.