An obscene display of campaign spending - Washington Post (blog)

It will be several hours before we learn the outcome of the presidential race. But one declaration that can be made at this hour on Election Day. The Center for Responsive Politics, according to National Public Radio, places the total cost of the 2012 presidential and congressional races at an estimated $6 billion. That makes this the most obscene display of campaign spending in history.

"Obscene" is a carefully chosen word. What we have witnessed this election cycle is a stunning display of uncontrolled political desire. Luring that kind of money for lustful spending is — or should be considered — offensive to our sense of morality.

Gain a guaranteed four-year seat in the White House for $2.6 billion (the total presidential portion of that $6 billion). For goodness sake, that $6 billion is more than the gross domestic product of nearly 50 countries in the world.

Imagine the goods and services that could be produced with $6 billion? Oh, never mind. That requires having a notion of moral conduct .?.?. when all that matters is power to be the victor, and not the vanquished.