Stop Frisking the American People!

Wealth. It is everywhere in politics. Starting with the obvious — the current President. Michael Bloomberg, once perceived as a bit of a joke candidate and another billionaire who bought his way into the race is slowly emerging from his bank-vault chrysalis as a more serious contender. Prominent Democratic donors are holding an event for the billionaire next week in attempt to stimulate African American voter enthusiasm for the ex-Mayor. Bloomberg is rising in the polls and starting to be discussed in more serious media as a “candidate who can beat Trump”, but let’s face it, his strengths as a candidate is not rock-solid policy, oratorial fireworks or connecting with the people — it’s simply that he has enough cash to buy his way in to the election.

Meanwhile, with some notable exceptions, many political heavyweights, even anointed ones like the Obamas are looking extremely flush parlaying their powerful name brand into an ever expanding multi-media brand and negotiating eye-watering sums with Netflix, Penguin Random House et al. The Bush family are loaded. The Clintons are loaded. The Romneys are loaded. The Bidens are fairly loaded (though their wealth doesn’t touch any of the aforementioned.)

So what does this say? Well a couple of things. Foremost, money and power are interchangeable. If you have money you can buy or gain power.

The second thing it says loud and clear is those that don’t have money and by proxy inherited or bought power and have managed to rise up the ranks of the very loaded political system have done it through serious hard work and real talent. It also means that candidates who have risen through the ranks meritocratically, tend to be against pay for play and purchasing power, because they’ve experienced first-hand the rottenness and unfairness of that system.

Tulsi Gabbard absolutely falls into the meritocratic category and has placed anti-corruption and defeating the pay to play political culture at the core of her policies and vision. She doesn’t come from wealth or a political dynasty and has achieved her considerable status and reputation through hard work and commitment. Any American who has grown weary of the wealthy achieving power they didn’t earn and then ensuring they and all their family and friends accumulate more wealth and power need to get behind candidates like Tulsi. Because if they don’t the swamp on both sides will get swampier, and the needs and the plight of everyday people who are struggling with everyday things and don’t have billions in the bank or a gold-standard name to monetize will fall further and further down the agenda.

Michael Bloomberg this week apologized for his seriously questionable comments on stop and frisk, something Trump instantly, and self-righteously jumped on, which was laughable considering his own history in that department. But perhaps while they are at it, they and their billionaire pals could also apologize for frisking the American people of a fairer and more equitable system, and step aside to let candidates like Tulsi — who have earned their place at the table — take charge for a chance at a really great America for everyone.

Chloe Combi, Writer @standwithTulsi

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