by Nicholas Beaudrot of Electoral Math
I think the Silvestre Reyes situation is another point in favor of ending the ridiculous chase for campaign dollars. Public financing might lessen the influence of corporations (and unions) on government; it might make it easier for liberals to win elections; and it might Solve All Of Our Problems. But one thing it will do is instanty free up fifteen to twenty percent of every Congressman's waking hours, while dramatically altering the priorities of staffers both on the Hill and in campaign offices, leaving the more time to do things like learn the difference between Sunnis and Shia, or the ten commandments, or the words to the national anthem.
In his partial defense, I'm sure we can find plenty of Congressen making errant statements about the intricate details of South Asian ethnicities during the '50s, '60s, and '70s.
