Where is the Money Coming From?

January 2, 2012

In a period of economic recession and hardship, I was shocked to discover the amount of money being spent on the president and candidate's campaigns. Below, the amount of money raised and spent by the candidates is shown. 

Amount of money raised Amount Spent

(millions)

Barack Obama 157.3 87.6

Mitt Romney 33.0 18.0

Rick Perry 17.0  2.1

Ron Paul 13.0  9.1 

Jon Huntsman 4.5          4.2

Newt Gingrich 2.9          2.6

Rick Santorum 1.3           1.1

It is assumed that the candidate who raises the most money will win the election. Therefore, based on the information above, it could be assumed that Obama would win the election. However, despite the lead Obama has over the other candidates, Republican candidates, such as Mitt Romney, are using their finances to attack the current president and appeal to a majority of the nation. 

However, if one takes a minute to evaluate the funds being used in this election, you can truly be appalled. Yes election campaigns are expensive. Yet, as our nation collectively faces an economic crisis, it is disappointing to see how leaders spending, 150, even 30 million dollars to make appearances across the country. Although it is important to have contact with the citizens, it is important to use the money we have in useful ways and not carelessly. 

As a high school senior, entering college next year, and facing fifty thousand dollars a year to attend school and obtain an education, I believe a change is needed in our society, and the election process. With these grandiose expenses being used by our candidates, the real purpose of campaigns and the election itself is lost. One should be focused on the actual content, character, and leadership of our potential leaders, not on who spends the most money, or who has the most interesting ad. 

http://elections.nytimes.com/2012/campaign-finance#canda=barack-obama&candb=rick-perry