Millionaires don't know crap about the economy

[JFN1]

because they don't actually LIVE in the economy that the rest of us live in (check out this excellent piece, "A visit to CEO-Land") for some perspective on this.

So how is it we keep putting millionaires in charge of our economy?

[Selatius]

1. You need money to buy TV ads to build up name recognition.

Name recognition is the lowest common denominator. If you bombard a populace long enough with your name and face, eventually people start voting for you. It's why Joe Lieberman beat Ned Lamont even though most folks already turned against the war in Iraq. Lieberman had tremendous name recognition. Lamont was a relative unknown who just arrived.

Also, look at Ross Perot. With a billion dollars, you can buy a congressional seat or a senate seat and almost the presidency.

[JFN1]

2. I don't disagree

about the need for truckloads of cash to get elected. That is part of the problem...

[provis99]

3. millionaires usually either inherit money

or get it through dumb luck. Why are we listening to them any more than we listen to poor folks? Likewise, why do we think businesspeople can run the economy, while labor leaders can't?

I'd be more likely to vote for a union leader as my congressperson than a businessman.