How Small Money Can Matter Again In Politics

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How Small Money Can Matter Again In Politics

September 28th, 2012 12:21 pm Jonathan Alter

A funny thing’s happening on the way to Nov. 6. The billionaires trying to buy the U.S. election with contributions of $1 million, $10 million or even $100 million aren’t succeeding.

If trends continue and the Democrats have a good year (still a big if), the notion that in order to win candidates must accept gobs of money from super-political action committees will be discredited.

Then we’ll see a small opening for a practical solution to our corrupt politics that would require no spending limits, no barring of super-PACs and no constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision.

This solution would free at least some candidates for federal office from dispiriting and corrupting lives of endless fundraising and legalized bribery. It would strike a blow for democracy, localism and choice (always a crowd-pleaser for the Republicans) in our elections.

It’s important to understand why the deluge of super-PAC contributions — and those from shadowy 501(c)4 groups, which don’t require disclosure — isn’t working as well as Republican strategists Karl Rove and the Koch brothers or the casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson may have hoped. (The same goes for the relative pikers on President Barack Obama’s side, such as the Priorities USA super-PAC).

The reason is that big money in politics has a competitor: small money in politics. Even though big money is winning this year — it accounts for more than 75 percent of donations — small money raised on the Internet is better adapted to the 21st century political battlefield.

Big money is used mostly to pay for negative television ads. These spots can still be potent and force the other side to raise enough money to rebut them. But Americans, especially younger voters, aren’t watching TV the way they used to. They’re time-shifting programming and are increasingly cynical about ads. With all the airwave pollution, saturation levels are reached earlier, especially if the messages in the ads are at odds with what’s going on in the news.

Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential nominee, and several trailing Republican Senate candidates are finding this out.

Super-PACs can dominate the air war, but they have trouble buying ground troops. Political strategists know from experience that phone banks and canvass teams made up of low-wage hired help are far inferior to those using volunteers sincerely trying to persuade voters.

The reason the Obama campaign sends out so many irritating requests for $3 or $5 donations is that these solicitations do more than just raise cash. Once millions of small donors have a little skin in the game, they’re much more likely to assist with registration and get-out-the-vote efforts. This willingness to help can’t be purchased by super-PACs at any price.

I’m not suggesting that small donations are competitive yet. In House races in 2010, only 8 percent of contributions were for less than $200. But with a boost, small money can play with the big boys.

Continue Reading >> 1 2

marelbert

Our Democracy is not for SALE.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KOPKDFAUQPIIRAFI3HEXNMSHLQ Ed

Well, it certainly has been in the past and may still be.
daniel bostdorf

PLEASE!!
This has NOTHING to do with “Democracy is not for SALE.”

Of friggin course it IS for sale!
This is about he 2012 version of FASCISM!

Koch Brothers and Karl Rove buying off the 6th grade educated people who vote..

“SMALL MOMEY” IS ACTUALLY THE BIGGER MONEY!

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_PYX4JWJ3N6GKND5N3KFIJJOPAI contented1

I watch many TV ads, political or commercial, without remembering what was being advertised. Still, I can’t claim to be completely unaffected by them.

Many people/I are not watching TV the way they/I used to–this is true. So I expect that people will be exposed to more political advertising on the Internet–this is already happening. If I were on the fence about any candidate, political ads might affect my thinking. But I will not vote for *any* Republican–and I will not change until the Republican Party does.

http://www.facebook.com/fern.woodfork Fern Woodfork

Since The GOP Has Been Highjacked By The Tea Party They Will Change Alright And It’s Only Going To Worst!!

SaneJane

Fern, it goes back even before the TP. Southern Democrats, bigots all, left the Democratic Party because of the Civil Rights Act. They joined the Republican Party and began to change it from the inside and the Tea Party just put the frosting on the cake. What the Republicans are trying to do now in regard to voting rights, women’s rights and our social structure is just a rerun. We have been here before with Jim Crow laws, etc. They have always said the South would rise again and it has by taking over the Republican Party.

YepThatTell

This Southerner registered at age 18 (1971) as an independent. As a small business owner 1985-0n, I switched to the Democratic party. Proudly voted Obama in 2008 and will do so again. Also voted for the two previous Dem. presidential candidates whose victories were stolen.

Please stop generalizing about groups by region, state, or whatever – we’re not all ignorant rednecks, Republicans, or racists here in the Deep South.

The Republicans/rightwingers love it when we are divided.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Stoll/100000621443352 Michael Stoll

That is really retarded . The DEMs wrote the Jim Crowe laws and passed them . Most of the KKK were DEMS and you had a decades long Senator who the party endorsed and funded who was an active member of the KKK . Meanwhile and to contrast ..It was a Republican President along with freed blacks and northern whites who fought a Civil War to end slavery . It was a Republican President that gave black the right to vote . Republicans voted overwhelmingly for civil rights and the DEMS did not . While we were fighting that Civil War DEM Congressmen were lynching blacks in NYC ..Before you make such ignorant comments maybe crack an American History book open ., Go to the Library though . The ones they use in UNION PUBLIC SCHOOLS dont include those things .

http://www.facebook.com/brian.coon.75 Brian Coon

both parties changed. I think he was trying to say, we used to be the bad guys now we’re the good guys. The GOP used to be the good guys and now they’re the bad guys. This IS what I believe and I used to be republican and am now a democrat.

The civil war was a LONG time before the civil rights movement.

You’re talking about the 16th president of the US like its recent history. Oh yes. He was a great man. What’s you’re point Mitt is a complete opposite.
joyscarbo

What exacatly are you driving at?
Are you saying that Obama should be greatful to the republican party for his freedom?
Should blacks be saying, “Gee, thanks, republicans!” ??? Thanks for proclaiming us-by law- human beings?!!
Funny how you republicans like to demand gratitude from blacks for graciously granting them basic human rights: like drinking from the same fountain, voting, and going to your superior white schools. Surely you are owed a debt of thanks from every African American for even being allowed to even live in this country.

Everyone knows that the very conservative democrats in the south were not representative of the entire party. John F. Kennedy was also a democrat at the same time.

What is your point? Keep it moving, ass!
http://profile.yahoo.com/DLEQN4SJDGO6VGBMPHKYIJKUZU royce

AND THE REASON WHY BLACKS LEFT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS BETRAYED THEM. TELL THAT PART OF HISTORY AS WELL OKAY? THERE IS NEVER ONCE SIDE TO AN ISSUE.
mjw1952

ANd it was the racist democrats who left the party after the Civil Rights Acts were passed, 50 years ago, thus forming the current republican party.
http://profile.yahoo.com/UHE4MJP5FHMFIEAOGEQHETUGDQ Rvn_sgt6768

More like integrated into and found others who felt the same as they did than actually formed.
j mwn

I think most people are aware of when the change occurred, and which party houses the “triple letter guys” now. History books are something, but life is dynamic, some things actually change.
http://profile.yahoo.com/UHE4MJP5FHMFIEAOGEQHETUGDQ Rvn_sgt6768

Bring your history time line up to date. Fast forward to 1965 from there to current times and what is your response? Perhaps you will find one party going forward and one party going backwards. Can you figure out which is which?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1260231921 Bruce Morgan Williams

Uhh.. I think Jane was referring to the 20th century, dude. Civil War is irrelevant to modern politics outside of the rural south.
daniel bostdorf

This article is about how small money can matter again in politics.
Not voter id’s or anything else…..Nothing else.

Quoting Jonathan Alter:
“A funny thing’s happening on the way to Nov. 6. The billionaires trying to buy the U.S. election with contributions of $1 million, $10 million or even $100 million aren’t succeeding. If trends continue and the Democrats have a good year (still a big if), the notion that in order to win candidates must accept gobs of money from super-political action committees will be discredited. Then we’ll see a small opening for a practical solution to our corrupt politics that would require no spending limits, no barring of super-PACs and no constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision.”

Hey Michael Stoll….
Is there any discussion of JIm Crow, the Civil War, taxes, medicaid, medicare, vote fraud, obama phones and food stamps?”

No there isn’t, and I will repeat that you are nothing more than a propagandist for right wing Teaparty fascists trying to buy this election. I will repeat: Stop distracting us with your right wing, Foxnews, Rove, Koch Brothers, Limbaugh Beck lies and distortions. Don’t you have any original thoughts of your own other than spewing back the propaganda of these fascists?
No you don’t!

Maybe you need to be reminded a few more times….Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels said it best:

“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.” (like Fox FAUX news, Limbaugh, Beck and Rove believe)

or as Adolph Hitler stated: ”Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it”

Keep lying and distracting us Stoll….we know who and what you really are.

Again, I suggest that you post at Fox FAUX News and other right wing Teaparty websites where you will fit in very nicely.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Stoll/100000621443352 Michael Stoll

Hello Fern , How are you doing today ? Great weather in the Chi today right ? Im going on a nice bike ride today care to join me ? Yes it would be great . Hows your mother ? I hope you have a wonderful day

http://www.facebook.com/fern.woodfork Fern Woodfork

You Still Don’t Get The Message Michael Stop Talking To Me!!!!!!!!!!!!! You Sound Like Romney Low Life Ass Now You Want To Play Nice!!! I’m Not Buying Your Bullshit!! Anybody That Believe Bringing Bush Polices Back With More Tax Breaks For The Wealthy That Cause The Recession In The First Place, I Never Will Understand And Will Never Have Any Thing To Do With Them So Peddle Your Bullshit Elsewhere!!!!!!!!!!!

http://profile.yahoo.com/UHE4MJP5FHMFIEAOGEQHETUGDQ Rvn_sgt6768

He sounds like a stalker.

bcarreiro

money dont make the man, man makes the money!!
Mai_Xiong

It is really matter that we American deserve to receive cheaper healthcare and with full coverage or more coverage, that’s what we deserve. Mitt Romney said “American deserve better”, but why he wants to appeal the Obamacare and he will increase the employees insurance cost or increase the health insurance’s premium cost and authorize reduce for the employee to receive or gets less coverage, so the employer can pay less, and it’s employees can pay more which is getting less coverage. If you go to check up, you have to pay for the doctor’s service by your self and to certain amount, then your health insurance provider will back you up by 60% to 80%. If the poor people like me who has health problem, they will never go to see the doctor and by the time they go to see the doctor, the doctor can’t treat them, by that time they are ending with dying. In my opinion, I don’t think that’s what we American deserve.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Stoll/100000621443352 Michael Stoll

Well ObamaTAX already raids Medicare of Billions and they tried to count that savings twice in their accounting of the TAX law to the CBO . The CBO caught their DEM , Liberal , Progressive Style of double accounting that savings because it was done in Crayon . If that’s not bad enough Small Businesses will be hit the hardest by the ObamaTAX law . The ” HIT ” TAX …great name for it by the way , will increase their costs so much that they will either have to chose between Insurance or closing the doors . You see there is no unlimited source of cash in private industry . If they pay the increase from the “HIT” Tax they would have to raise the prices of their products and services . That would mean lost sales and layoffs . Since most compaies these days are bare bones they only have enough employees to meet the production they need . That means they cant cut heads . So they will ditch their employee plans and leave the employees to scramble for their own coverage . Or go out of business altogether . In the age of Obamanomics more and more of peoples consuming power is being eaten up in taxes and high gas prices . Poeple dont go out as much because they cant afford it . They cant be consumers because Obama wants more of their money . Businesses are struggling for consumers and this wont help . Unlike the Govt they cant just raise your taxes to pay for these increases . By the way have you noticed who already gets healthcare and who is getting the exemptions ? That would be Govt Unions and other big Private Unions . Gee they all voted for Obama and they wont have to help pay for his TAX . Anyway a recent study shows that the “HIT” tax aimed at small businesses will cost us 150,000 to 250,000 jobs in the first year . Of course it takes effect after the election along with TAX mageddon

http://profile.yahoo.com/X2KKGDYW2F5T5XUT6233KBNWSI robert

Great job, Stoll! You’re describing the Romney/Ryan plan! You said it better than any of us could.

daniel bostdorf

I can’t agree more with Robert!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Stoll/100000621443352 Michael Stoll

Are you retarded ?

http://www.facebook.com/elisabeth.gordon1 Elisabeth Gordon

Look Michael – this “conversation” is a moot point…your man Romney is dead in the water after the first debate….didn’t you hear what Mrs. Romney said this weekend….she is VERY concerned with “her husbands” mental and physical health….that should instill confidence….LOL – don’t think he’ll have to go to the ER….
http://profile.yahoo.com/UHE4MJP5FHMFIEAOGEQHETUGDQ Rvn_sgt6768

I trust what she says as much as what he says. Mittey has no mental health or else he couldn’t lie as he does about everything. I want to see President Obama CRUSH this lying scheming bastard on Oct.3rd.

http://profile.yahoo.com/HFYZP2APYPP7H6PWS2ZDQRWFEQ Hillbilly

Another person that believes everything Limbaugh,Fox News and the Republican Party puts out. President Obama has not taken any money out of medicare, the billion you are talking about will come about in long term savings . The only ones that are trying to count that savings twice are the Republican party and people like you. Prove were small businesses will be hit the hardest by the Affordable Medical Act tax. Since small businesses will receive tax breaks not increased taxes. As for higher taxes and gasoline prices, you have to blame both parties for that because The Republicans have forgotten what the word comprise means and the Democrats have let them do it. You can’t blame the President for higher gasoline prices, he can’t set the price of gas that is done by big oil companies owned by people like the Koch brothers. After all they have to get back all the millions they have contributed to the Republican party and they are doing it by keeping the price of gasoline high. Remember the price of gasoline is controlled by big oil companies s like Koch Brothers Oil Company not the President or Congress. These big corporations like the Koch Brothers receive big corporations welfare payments from the government another reason for higher taxes yet they keep gasoline prices to get back the millions contributed to the Republican party who in turn makes sure the corporations welfare money keeps coming in to them.

Tom_D44

You are wrong Hillbilly. The democrats did use the savings from medicare twice in coming up with their cost estimates for Obamacare for the CBO. Yet another example of corruption in Washington. Bush did it too, when he presented his budgets and left out the cost of the wars. Clinton did it too when he claimed to have built this $234B surplus, when in fact he cut no spending and took advantage of the surplus coming in from social security at that time – because the boomers had not yet retired. Convenient accounting and they are all implicated.

I would put one thought out to you, however, with regards to these medicare “savings”……How do you collect, or take credit for “long term” savings? How will you or how do you know if we ever realized those savings. I would contend that you never will. It’s just more politicking and you are buying into it. The government, at best, has been incompetent with our money – I would say in many cases criminal. They spend more than they have and continue to get themselves elected with more promises they can’t keep. Obamacare is already projected to cost over twice as much as projected – by non partisan committees. I know you don’t want to hear that but its true. The savings will likely never be realized, or whatever they will be will likely be lower than projected. And we will all be stuck with the bill or with rationed care. They have already started doing that. Recently they started playing around with the rules for who gets kidney transplants. It used to be based on when you got on the list and now it is going towards who is projected to live the longest. Yes, “who is projected to live the longest”. I wonder who will be tasked with making those predictions? If it were me I would not be able to sleep at night. This is not a very good direction if you are a senior. Go OBAMA!!

http://profile.yahoo.com/UHE4MJP5FHMFIEAOGEQHETUGDQ Rvn_sgt6768

From the CBO “What Is the Net Budgetary Impact of the Coverage Provisions Taking Into Account the Supreme Court’s Decision?

CBO and JCT now estimate that the insurance coverage provisions of the ACA will have a net cost of $1,168 billion over the 2012–2022 period—compared with $1,252 billion projected in March 2012 for that 11-year period—for a net reduction of $84 billion. (Those figures do not include the budgetary impact of other provisions of the ACA, which in the aggregate reduce budget deficits.) ”

What has impacted the cost of the ACA are the programs that Congress and the SCOTUS have made adjustments in. Sort of like planning a budget at home and then getting to the grocery store and finding the costs higher because of how your staples are packaged.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Stoll/100000621443352 Michael Stoll

Obama hasnt raided Medicare to pay and fund ObamaTAX ??? Do you read the news ? No wonder you like Obama . Not only did they raid it they counted those monies twice . The CBO report pointed that out . Are you all thios Ill informed ? Is this why you blincly support Obama like Sheep ?

http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Stoll/100000621443352 Michael Stoll

What you stated about gas prices is wrong , It is the talking points given to you from your Liberal Media . Look there is recent history on this . In 2007 Gas prices were soaring to the high level of $2 /gal . It was nightly news ans your media wasted no time in skewring Bush . Bush eased restrictions for some drilling permits and called the Saudi’s . This eased speculator concerns and gas prices eased to $1.80 . So to say a President has no control over those prices is ignorant . There is recent history on this as I stated and for you to repeat what your media gives you only shows your ignorance . Or of course that you dont care and will make any excuse for Obama . Ask yourself a question ? Now that gas is at $5/gal why isnt this nightly news today ? must be good to be Obama and have a cheerleading Media . Why report on gas prices and or the economy when that would enbarass Obama when look over there it’s Jay Z …oh who care about adult issues when look over there it’s Letterman …oh Netanyahu is on the phme and Iran is Nuking up …Im in Vegas ….Embassie burning ..blame You tube …Obama knows his audience well and they are low information voters …just the way he likes them .
http://www.facebook.com/elisabeth.gordon1 Elisabeth Gordon

Mitt happens – just make sure it doesn’t happen to you….

http://profile.yahoo.com/P3NXX7AD64NWRRT65INAEULVEU Don

It’s NO tax as aarp says it will only cost $95.00 when you pay your income tax and you will still get money back. ACA is not the law until 2014

http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Stoll/100000621443352 Michael Stoll

ACA is purposely taking effect after the election because if people knew how it was going to affect them, No One would vote for Obama . The AARP benefits form ObamaTAX in the billions as they sell Insurance too . To quote anytrhing they say about that TAX law is well ridiculous

daniel bostdorf

This article is about how small money can matter again in politics.
Nothing else.
Quoting Jonathan Alter:
“A funny thing’s happening on the way to Nov. 6. The billionaires trying to buy the U.S. election with contributions of $1 million, $10 million or even $100 million aren’t succeeding. If trends continue and the Democrats have a good year (still a big if), the notion that in order to win candidates must accept gobs of money from super-political action committees will be discredited. Then we’ll see a small opening for a practical solution to our corrupt politics that would require no spending limits, no barring of super-PACs and no constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision.”

Hey Michael Stoll….
Is there any discussion of taxes, medicaid, medicare?
No there isn’t, and you are nothing more than a propagandist for right wing Teaparty fascists trying to buy this election.

Stop distracting us with your right wing, Foxnews, Rove, Koch Brothers, Limbaugh Beck lies and distortions. Don’t you have any original thoughts of your own other than spewing back the propaganda of these fascists?

No you don’t!

Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels said it best:

“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.” (like Fox FAUX news, Limbaugh, Beck and Rove believe)

or as Adolph Hitler stated: ”Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it”

Keep lying to us Micahel Stoll….we know who and what you really are.

Go post at Fox FAUX News and other right wing Teaparty websites where you will fit in very nicely.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Stoll/100000621443352 Michael Stoll

said the intolerant bully who uses fascist tactics to try to silence those who he disagrees with . Nothing I said is unfactual and I didnt get it from FOX . By the way why do you all hate Fox so much ? They dont lie to their viewers like NBC does . They dont alter audio tape of 9/11 calls like NBC did ( trayvon case ) they dont alter video as Abc did . They dont try to label crazy shooter erroneously to disparage and blame the right ( batman and giffords shooters who were both DEMS ) so why do you hate FOX ? Oh thats right they report the adult news . They report thiongs that embarrass Obama because it is factual . Just like everything I state . You liberlas cant debate on merit and facts and logic scare and confuse you …So blame FOX or tell someone who posts facts to go away . Liberal Tolernace err Hypocrisy on display

http://www.facebook.com/fern.woodfork Fern Woodfork

Romney Is Sucking The Tea Party Asses!! He Say Go To The ER And Get Help That Cost Way More Money Then Going To A Doctor!! Romney Is Not Out Of Touch The Fact Is He Don’t Give A Damn About Nobody But Himself And His Handlers!!

m8lsem

“Romney was right when he said this week that ‘we simply can’t have a setup where the teachers unions can contribute tens of millions of dollars to the campaigns of politicians and then those politicians, when elected, stand across from them at the bargaining table, supposedly to represent the interests of the kids.’ ”

Now there’s an interesting image. The politicians aren’t representing the taxpayers? And the teachers aren’t representing the kids? Around here teachers are the principal advocates of improvements for the schools. What a mindset this Romney has, GIGO for sure.

johninPCFL

Romney’s got an interesting perspective. So the businessman’s multi-million dollar contributions to the candidates are just as suspect, right? We’ve long thought that the politicians were in big business’ pocket, but it’s interesting that Romney draws the direct, immediate comparison. Do you think he’s speaking from experience?

Pamby50

That is why I have taken to recording my shows on the DVR. I just skip all the political ads. If I’m in the car, a cd is playing. All that money is being wasted on me and I’m not alone.

daniel bostdorf

Great….just what we need..
Someone who tunes out….to the facsist bull….

“Can’t handle the truth?” So you put those headphones on?

YOU PAMBY 50:

“That is why I have taken to recording my shows on the DVR. I just skip all the political ads. If I’m in the car, a cd is playing. All that money is being wasted on me and I’m not alone.”

Go back to caring about Paris Hilton, Kardasians, Lohans, Jolie and Pitt etc…

Keep listening to your friggin CD’s avoiding reality..

You are reincarnated to NERO who “fiddled while Rome burned.”

Actually….you are part of Plato’s Cave Allegory…

Chained to the wall with the fire to your back!

Pamby50

I can handle the truth. I get ads for MS, AR & TN. I don’t think that you do. I get the Commercial Appeal & that is a conservative newspaper. What a novel concept reading how the other side thinks. Especially down here in the bible thumping mid-south. I don’t just listen to my side. If that were the case I would only hear MSNBC. So yes I tune those ads out. I go searching for the answers. In high school I had a great US History teacher. He instilled in us that we have a responsibility to be engaged in the political process. I have been registered to vote since I was 18 and do vote.

So no I am not NERO nor Plato. I have registered people to vote & worked phone banks. But I am wondering, have you? I don’t think so. But then I could be wrong.

daniel bostdorf

No you can’t handle the truth while at the same time lying, distorting and distracting people with off topic noenesense..

You are a right wing propagandist. period.

Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels said it best:

“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.” (like Fox FAUX news, Limbaugh, Beck and Rove believe)

or as Adolph Hitler stated: ”Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it”

Go read the 13 volume set of Will and Ariel Durant’s “History of Civilization” before you post here..

Ignorance for you is bliss..

The actual wording comes from Thomas Gray’s poem, “Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College” (1742): “Where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise.”

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing: This maxim, originally a line from Alexander Pope’s An Essay on Criticism (1709), has been repeated with slight variations ever since. It is still heard, although less frequently, and sometimes shortened, as in the example.

A little Learning is a dang’rous Thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian Spring.
[1711 Pope Essay on Criticism l. 215]

For shallow draughts intoxicate the brain
And drinking largely sobers us again.
Fired at first sight with what the Muse imparts,
In fearless youth we tempt the heights of arts,
While from the bounded level of our mind,
Short views we take, nor see the lengths behind;
But more advanced, behold with strange surprise
New distant scenes of endless science rise!

Note that the poem says “Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian Spring.” This excerpt makes the quote the opposite of ‘ignorance is bliss.’ It means that learning little is a dangerous thing, and that you should learn a lot so too drink from the Pierian Spring, which is either defined as a spring in Macedonia, sacred to the Muses, or as a source of inspiration.

Your shallow thoughts are embarrassing.

http://www.facebook.com/elisabeth.gordon1 Elisabeth Gordon

Unfortunately, there will always be those who are content to lie in the mud with someone’s boot on their neck…..OBAMA 2012 – Robme – DISMISSED!

daniel bostdorf

This article is about how small money can matter again in politics.
Nothing else.
Quoting Jonathan Alter:
“A funny thing’s happening on the way to Nov. 6. The billionaires trying to buy the U.S. election with contributions of $1 million, $10 million or even $100 million aren’t succeeding. If trends continue and the Democrats have a good year (still a big if), the notion that in order to win candidates must accept gobs of money from super-political action committees will be discredited. Then we’ll see a small opening for a practical solution to our corrupt politics that would require no spending limits, no barring of super-PACs and no constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision.”

Hey Michael Stoll….
Is there any discussion of taxes, medicaid, medicare?
No there isn’t, and you are nothing more than a propagandist for right wing Teaparty fascists trying to buy this election.

Stop distracting us with your right wing, Foxnews, Rove, Koch Brothers, Limbaugh Beck lies and distortions. Don’t you have any original thoughts of your own other than spewing back the propaganda of these fascists?

No you don’t!

Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels said it best:

“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.” (like Fox FAUX news, Limbaugh, Beck and Rove believe)

or as Adolph Hitler stated: ”Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it”

Keep lying to us Micahel Stoll….we know who and what you really are.

Go post at Fox FAUX News and other right wing Teaparty websites where you will fit in very nicely.
http://profile.yahoo.com/P3NXX7AD64NWRRT65INAEULVEU Don

Yes, I am one of the small money contributers to the Obama campaign

daniel bostdorf

You represent The best in our human collective nature..

it is sad that fascist billionaires like Koch Brothers corrupts the loving human spirit…

YepThatTell

see stool…I mean,stoll
YepThatTell

well your first sentence has been proven time and time again to be false. Therefore I won’t bother to read the rest of your rant.
This in reply to M Stoll but cant get this to go in as a reply to his Pure BS. Calling it a day.
http://www.facebook.com/pvanfossen1 Phillip Van Fossen

My wife and I are one of the small contributers and wish we could give more, but our small social security checks and health issues just don’t permit us to do this. But our hearts and verbal support are there. Daniel bostdorf said it right, Republicans are close to Hitler type of power. Fixing the states voting laws so some people can’t vote, and even bragging about it, is scary because this could become a trend for all states to the point, in several years there would be no point in voting. Everybody should realize this. The fact they are trying this now shows in reality what could happen in years to come. That 2% of our population could and will become dictators in several years from now. They are trying to do this now. Obama is our only hope to slow this process down.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Stoll/100000621443352 Michael Stoll

Republicans want everyone to vote Legally and Legitimately . DEMs want to do Vote fraud …Look , even 3rd world Countries likeMexico require Voter ID . Most of the Obama voters could use their death certificates or welfare checks as ID ‘s the Illegal Aliens can use the VOter ID’s from their home Countries as they have Voter Id already …. look that was just some sarcasm but really most of the 47% ers already have ID’s as you need them to qualify for Obama phones and food stamps …so whats the problem ?

daniel bostdorf

This article is about how small money can matter again in politics.
Not voter id’s or anything else…..Nothing else.

Quoting Jonathan Alter:
“A funny thing’s happening on the way to Nov. 6. The billionaires trying to buy the U.S. election with contributions of $1 million, $10 million or even $100 million aren’t succeeding. If trends continue and the Democrats have a good year (still a big if), the notion that in order to win candidates must accept gobs of money from super-political action committees will be discredited. Then we’ll see a small opening for a practical solution to our corrupt politics that would require no spending limits, no barring of super-PACs and no constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision.”

Hey Michael Stoll….
Is there any discussion of taxes, medicaid, medicare, vote fraud, obama phones and food stamps?” No there isn’t, and I will repeat that you are nothing more than a propagandist for right wing Teaparty fascists trying to buy this election.

I will repeat: Stop distracting us with your right wing, Foxnews, Rove, Koch Brothers, Limbaugh Beck lies and distortions. Don’t you have any original thoughts of your own other than spewing back the propaganda of these fascists?
No you don’t!

Maybe you ned to be reminded a few more times….Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels said it best:

“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.” (like Fox FAUX news, Limbaugh, Beck and Rove believe)

or as Adolph Hitler stated: ”Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it”

Keep lying and distracting us Stoll….we know who and what you really are.

Again, I suggest that you post at Fox FAUX News and other right wing Teaparty websites where you will fit in very nicely.

http://www.facebook.com/elisabeth.gordon1 Elisabeth Gordon

thank you Daniel – what is right will prevail….I feel it in me Scottish bones…..OBAMA 2012

http://www.facebook.com/elisabeth.gordon1 Elisabeth Gordon

MS – go away – we’re trying to save our country here…..

http://www.facebook.com/pvanfossen1 Phillip Van Fossen

I’m a little confused about Romney stating on that tape that he was writing off 47% of the lower income people, or victims as he calls them, or they think they are, but now he’s coming up with all kinds of ideas as to how he can help them. His middle name should be “flip flop”, of course he has learned to flip when he flops pretty good. Was watching tv just a couple minutes ago, CNN, and they litterly caught a girl that works for her county and she admitted she was supposed to do what she was doing, which was fixing the votes for Romneys people and some who wasn’t for Romney, they actually got it on their camcorder, or whatever CNN uses. It took place approximately 3 pm this Sunday afternoon ( 9/30/2012), I’m sure the Obama team can get ahold of this if they haven’t already. Romney is not the kind of person we want as President and I’m not just talking about his involvement in cheating at the voting box.He’s lied from day one pretending ( through his wife) that they started from that basement apartment, and made it to where they are. Does anyone remember when they hadn’t picked who to run for Republican President yet, he made a statement “that if your looking for someone with a rags to riches candidate, it,s not me because I’d been fortunate all my life and had plenty of money”. Considering he would try the trickle down theory which is give the rich tax breaks and they in return create jobs is a joke. Bush had 8 years and tax breaks for the rich and he lost jobs, toward the end it was 750, 000 jobs a month. If the trickle worked it would have sometime, they have used this lie for 60 years and people keep believing this, enough bait and enough lies, they start believing it anything. So lets give Obama the chance he needs, even Bill Clinton said he couldn’t have cleaned up Bush’s mess in 4 years, especially with a Republican Congress that would not cooperate. In an interview McConnell . was ask what the Republican’s top priority was, he answered “to get rid of Obama”, the interviewer ask him again, if this meant Americans losing jobs was less important, he answered again, “the top priority is to get rid of OBAMA”. So this shows what Obama has been facing for 4 years, McConnell is the leader of control of the Republican Controlled Congress which any President has to have their cooperation. It’s time to get rid of these do nothing Congressman, and let this country grow. Politics has got to act for the country, not their petty personal beliefs.

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How Small Money Can Matter Again In Politics

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