Dear FRONTLINE,
I cannot believe I wasted my time watching what I
consider to be one of the most blatantly biased "news"
programs that I have seen in recent memory.
I am writing my congressional representatives to ask that
they vote to not renew your funding. I do not want any of
my money going to support this type of "reporting" and
to support your hidden agenda.
Thank you.
Woody Lee
Dear FRONTLINE,
I watched with great interest your report on how money buys influence in
Washington D.C. The program was well researched but I was annoyed that it
side-stepped what underlies the influence of big money. Lets face it-voters don't
care. They don't want to finance political campaigns, and are unwilling to exert
themselves to find out what the candidates stand for. The only way to get them to
vote is to buy expensive TV time-and that is where big money comes in. Pretending
that Corruption happens in a differnet world from, and unrelated to, the general
public, is disingenuous.
Paul Herzog
New Orleans, LA
Dear FRONTLINE,
I thought the show was evenhanded as far as showing how both Republicans
and Democrats alike, have their hand out and can be and are bought.
My problem is the same one columnist David Broder writes about in today's column:
that the total concentration was on corporate-types buying influence and access.
No mention whatsoever was made of the same activity by labor unions, religious
organziations, and other special interest (pressure) groups. Yes, it was mentioned
that Phil Gramm's biggest supporter is the NRA, but other than that it was Carl
Lindner and A-D-M.
It would have been superior if 10 minutes had been devoted to these other influence
buyers. By not including them, it appears as if the stereotypical liberal PBS
anti-big-corporation bias was showing.
Jerry Hermes
jhermes@connectnet.comn
Dear FRONTLINE,
How to Buy a President was perhaps the most informative
and revealing Frontline I have ever seen. Campaign finance
and lobby reform should rank even above balancing the
Federal Budget in the order of our national priorities.
Continuing the practice of buying votes with dollars
is leading this country down the path of disaster as the
average citizen's voice is no longer heard.
I will vote for ONLY those candidates who sincerely address
this issue. Now, when are you going to get moving on that
Blue Ribbon Panel Mssrs. Clinton and Gingrich?
Jerry Fredrickson
bikehead@execpc.com
Dear Frontline,
I always enjoy watching your programs because they are very
informative and unbiased. I was curious to notice that on
this show the challengers were discussed first and the
incumbent was discussed last. Unusual. The incumbent,
Bill Clinton, was not discussed until after 11:00. Most
people probably switched channels to the news to check
the weather.
Kevin Winter
Dear FRONTLINE,
I'm very disappointed in the recent episode of Frontline "So You Want to Buy a
President".
You spent 15 minutes givings a lecture about Gallo wines, 30 seconds about Mrs.
Clinton's
Cattle Futures, and not one second to the producer of the chicken on my table: Tyson
Foods.
It is also unfair to compare lifetime contributions of Bob Dole, who has been in the
Senate
6 terms, versus Bill Clinton who has been in national politics for 4 years. Next
time, please ask Senator Bradley
how he responded to big contributors of HIS campaigns.
J.D.
Bel Air, Maryland
Dear FRONTLINE,
Congratulations on a provocative investigation into the truth of campaign
financing -- sadly, I suspect, merely a confirmation of our general suspicions. We
always knew that money buys political favor and influence, but never before has the
evidence been so articulate and thorough. That PBS was willing to name long-time
PBS supporter Dwayne Andreas among the usual suspects proves once again your
integrity, fairness and fearlessness (those same qualities which make me a rabid
PBS supporter). Indeed, "If PBS doesn't do it, who will?"
It is time for major reform, and shows like the recent Frontline help explain why.
It is possible for both parties to be morally corrupt without being legally guilty.
Ah, the irony of the politicians' urging the media industry to clean itself up
while they themselves sink to ever-lower depths for the same sake of money.
Ultimately, the responsibility for cleansing the system belongs also to those who
must regulate the marketplace and this society: the American people. As for the
fear that, with campaign financing restrictions in place, only the richest will be
able to afford to race (a la Steve Forbes), I don't think that Americans will buy
the idea that the presidency is up for sale to the highest bidder. Disgust with the
wealthyπs egos and presumptions can have a way of lowering public opinion -- and we
shall see how far Mr Forbes' money gets him when his self-promotion comes under
closer scrutiny. America still cherishes its myth of the humble, log-cabin
president!
. We want our presidents to be self-made men (someday self-made women as well) --
ie, rich but not too rich (neither grotesquely nor obscenely so) -- just rich
enough to prove their competence in the political game and other worldly affairs.
Thank you for this opportunity to respond to your excellent broadcast via the
Internet. With such a webpage, you show not only how good television can be, but
also how good the Internet can be -- and show, as well, the effectiveness of
combining both media.
Very Sincerely,
Brandon Kwiatek
Dear FRONTLINE,
I just finished watching this program but feel compelled
to say that you spent to much time proving your point about
how campain money buys influence in the White House. If this
program is to bring about change, more time should have been
devoted to alternate ways to fund elections. I'm not so sure
that would be a good idea. After all, business as usual
does get a lot done. I wished that PBS would show both sides
of this question, the good and the bad of money influence.
Lets face it, those canidates have to get that money from
somewhere... I hope it is not from drugs ! Better US
business than from crime. Enough of my views,please show
both views or sides of a question.
Al Ciarochi
ciarochi@ix.netcom.com
Dear FRONTLINE,
This program was interesting but rather superficial in its analysis. Especially in
light of the current budget debate, it failed to discuss the implications of
corporate corruption on the social fabric of this country. For example, the show
could have nailed its point home much more effectively by graphically illustrating
how reductions in the corporate tax rate (from 38% in the 1950s, to less than 20%
today), subsidizing job migration abroad, and other forms of corporate welfare are
directly associated with the decline in wages and the general living condition of
the average American.
L.L.
Cambridge MA
Dear FRONTLINE,
I hope this program will finally convince all those viewers
who think that Frontline is always biased and partisan, since
after watching the entire show it was obvious that no national
politician or political party came away unscathed. I found the
focus that was placed on Dole and Clinton in particular to be
extremely informative and relevant considering the upcoming
Presidential campaign. The report on major contributors like the
Gallo brothers was also very revealing, considering the fact that
such major business leaders seem intent on trying to influence
politicians no matter what their party affiliation.
As far as the issue of reform is concerned, one thing that you
program did not point out is that true reform will be impossible
until the majority of Americans, who don't have the money and influence
of big business and other interest groups, actually wake up and
realize what is really happening to our form of government. The politicians
who have a stake in the system, or are forced to spend so much time and
energy on fundraising won't reform the system. Political outsiders won't
because in order to be a successful outsider like Forbes and Perot, you need
similar wealth. Unfortunately, for many reasons, the majority of the American
do not act. Hopefully, your program will have given some of these people
the ammunition that can be used to affect needed change. Such change will not
be possible through a so called Republican Revolution, or any other agenda of the
two major parties until the parties and their way of doing business is forced
to change.
Michael A. Katzenberg
Dear FRONTLINE,
I enjoyed your program as I agree that people are generally uniformed with
respect to how campaign financing works and the serious issues that exist. I
believe the President, or any other candidate, should be impartial in every way
towards companies and influential individuals. Favoring companies and individuals
should be made unlawful and be regulated. A candidate can then blame the system and
laws when he is asked to favor or "bless" industries, companies or individuals with
funds, etc.
Robert Cheney
Dear FRONTLINE,
Thank you, Frontline, for opening the public's eyes once more!
It is utterly revolting to think that these men are elected
to "promote the GENERAL welfare", and the only welfare they
are promoting are their own and that of the richest class
of Americans and their businesses. It is also revolting that
these people carry out their shenanigans as quietly as
possible (e.g. the Banana Bill). This, in itself, proves
that they are aware that what they are doing is unethical.
No matter how hard we try, or what laws are passed,
politicians will always find the loophole. Nothing short of
revolution can ever be successful in divorcing politics
from influence peddling.
What would Thomas Jefferson think of us now? Sadly, I
have begun informing my friends and family that I will be
moving out of the US and renouncing my citizenship just as
soon as I can emigrate to New Zealand and find work. It
may not be the garden of eden, but at least it has not
been invaded by political serpents of the kind and caliber
you have reported on. Keep up the fine reporting work.
Perhaps some day all voters can be as well-informed as I
have been from your programs. I will miss you in NZ!
Best Wishes,
Ray Hudson (AKA Rainman)
rahudson@fedex.com
Dear FRONTLINE,
Very impressed by research and presentation. This was an extremly gutsy
program for an agency that receives public funds. It obviously leads us to the
question of why there hasn't been a public outcry for immediate campaign finance
reform, as Rep. Gingrich and the President indicated they would agree to. In our
state legislature(MO), there have been several good attempts on such reform, and it
appears to be working, although more is needed to insure that politicians aren't
being controlled by special interests. Keep up the very fine work,and from the
average guy thats concerned about this topic, I greatly appreciate your gutsy
reporting.
Mike Downing
Dear FRONTLINE,
Right on! you must run it several times during the early primary season--so
that it will affect voters and viewers. too many one-shot programs have little
effect because of "attention span" and too few viewers. i look forward to the
sequel about how it is done in other industrial modern societies to give the
citizens perspective about alternatives. thankyou! thankyou!!
Chuck Weed
cweed@keene.edu
Dear Frontline,
The buying of political favors by the rich and American
industry is partially responsible for the excessive tax
burden placed on the middle class tax payers. During the
1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s the American rich,
American industries, and the middle class each paid about
a third of the total taxes collected.
Your program clearly pointed out that the rich and industries
are buying political favors, such as reduced taxes.
The Gallo family whom you mentioned in your program is a
case in point. Both industry and the rich are highly
organized and narrowly focused and can afford to make
enormous campaign contributions to influence the
formulation of our contries laws. As industry
and the rich buy their way out of paying taxes, the middle
class is left to shoulder the burden of the shortfall in
tax revenues.
This is grossly unfair to the middle class because the rich
and industry still use the shared resources of this country
such as waterways, roads, harbors, and airports and benefit
from the protection of the various national law enforcement
organizations such as the FBI and Tabacco and Fire Arms
Bureau to name a few. General Electric has paid very little
federal income taxes and yet makes billions of dollars of
profits. They too use our shared resources but do not
help in paying for their upkeep and maintenance through
paying taxes.
We should not overtax the rich and industry to make them poor.
However, they should pay their fair share of the tax
burden because they do utilize our common resources and
should be expected to pay for that use. To restore the
tax burden triad of the rich, middle class, and industry
the political contribution laws must be changed so that
paying for political favors is deemed unethical and illegal.
Otherwise, the middle class will simply end up paying all
the taxes, will not be able to share in the wealth of this
country, and may eventually become extinct.
Sincerely,
Douglas C. Robinson
Dear FRONTLINE,
Thank you for broadcasting this eye opener! Every voter in America should
be required to watch it before casting a vote in the 1996 election. My heroine of
the week is Rep. Linda Smith of Washington state who is fighting the uphill battle
for meaningful campaign finance reform, despite being treated like a leper by her
fellow members of Congress. But your program shows how the system works and why the
ordinary citizen is completely unrepresented in Washington today.
Donna Donovan
Dear FRONTLINE,
For me, one of the most the most affecting and
thought provoking preograms I've seen.
I agree with Bill Bradley, who said,
"A rich man's wallet should not be superior
to a poor man's soapbox."
But the show reminds me of Pushkin, who said,
"Everybody says that there is no justice on Earth.
But it really does not matter much since
there is no justice in Heaven."
D. Holm
Dear FRONTLINE,
I commend your courage in broadcasting "So You Want to Buy a President",
although it may very well be the death knell for PBS funding
by Congress. It just confirmed what I already knew deep in my
gut ---- that my ballot isn't worth the paper it's printed on.
As a person struck down in the prime of life by a workplace-caused
chemical injury, I have learned over the past few years that ALL politicians
are governed by big business and are not going to help the little guy,
as we were led to believe in grade school. I'm not a flag-burner type,
but the hypocrisy of the Pledge of Allegiance now sickens me.
L.B.
Dear FRONTLINE,
"So you want to buy a President?" highlights the separation between
government and the governed. How many millions of people feel that politicians are
an elitist group which has nothing to do with the lives of most Americans? It IS
time to take the money out and demand representation rather than the orgy of money
and power which now exists. In order to do this, however, we "ordinary people"
MUST be informed.
JLC
Dear FRONTLINE,
Your documentary was enlightening to the point of nausea.
It truly sickens me at the depth of, what I would call,
legalized corruption that exists in our government and
that is so warmly embraced by our politcal leaders.
Until lastnight, I thought I had a say in government.
How naive' I've been.
Thanks,
Dave Sousa
Dear FRONTLINE,
When our government is for sale I can't imagine why our representatives in
government don't understand why people just give up participation in the democratic
process: It seems no matter who you want to support they owe their loyalty to the
"Money men" and their actual constituants are maybe an after thought.
I appreciate Frontline taking the initiative to bring these issues before the public
in a nonpartisan manner.
L.L.
Kent, WA
Dear FRONTLINE,
Frontline in general, and the program "So You Want to Buy a
President" in particular, exemplify what insightful,
relevant and in my opinion, critically important
investigative reporting is all about. The average American
doesn't have the time, inclination or tools to discover the
intricacies of its own politicians and Government-Frontline
does. This was a very powerful show. I hope it is repeated.
Keep up the good work Frontline. Your work is most
appreciated.
Steve
Dear FRONTLINE,
I was fascinated and infuriated at the way we buy and sell
Presidents. Your reporting was first rate and insightful.
Given the blur between the highest levels of corporate
America and both of the political parties, what chance does
the common person have of getting his/her interests heard?
At what point have we crossed the line to a defacto
hegemony in which real power is never open to public
input? True campaign reform would consist of limiting
all spending of any type to one publically funded amount.
Limit the time of the campaigns and TV access. Right...
Don Weikle
avanti@cris.com
Dear FRONTLINE,
Kudos to PBS for thoughtfully presenting information that the major
networks will not, perhaps due to conflict of interest. I'll never understand how
candidates can vilify so-called "welfare queens" when their own campaign coffers
are being filled by corporate "welfare kings".
Lois Kehl
Dear FRONTLINE,
Thank you for the eye opening program on campaign contributions.
I could not avoid recalling so many instances of having been informed
of foreign corruption by our media. Countless times
I have heard that in order to do business in foreign cultures such
as India or nations of the Middle East, you may have to
give a bribe to government officials. Thank you for so skillfully pointing out
the failings of our system which cloaks itself in legitimacy in various ways but
in the final analysis may be the most corrupt system on our planet.
John Palazzo
jpalaz1@ix.netcom.com
Dear FRONTLINE,
Your program was excellent! It confirmed what most Americans already knew,
just how corrupt our leaders in Washington really are. The voters are fed up with
the influence peddling, buying access to key politicians. This is reflected in the
ground swell of disgust, and "none of the above" attitude towards the candidates.
It also explains the growth in "Corporate Welfare" and shifting of the nation's tax
burden directly to salary and wage earners.
Your expose on Chiquita, "Probably the World's Most Rotten Fruit", ADM, "Alledgely,
Price Fixer to the World", and the E. & J. Gallo, who are evil enough to cut their
own brother out of his rightful inheritence, buying their own admendments and
special breaks. Outrageous!!!
Thank you for the breath of fresh air on television, even though the subject reeks
of slime and sewer rats.
J. Shank
Dear FRONTLINE,
Thank you for thoughtful and sometimes frightening look at how we
elect and re-elect our candidates in America. I am torn between
anger and frustration, and resignation that "it's the only game
in town" for people who seek public office. I hope this program
will begin a "serious" debate on this topic.
Please continue the excellent reporting.
John Hutchinson
Dear FRONTLINE,
Great job of reporting. I see now that my $10.00 contribution is nothing
more than a token of general support used by the candidates to claim broad public
support. I can see now why Steve Forbes is a problem for the politicians. If Steve
Forbes can buy the job he should'nt have to pay anyone off. Maybe he would be a
generous king and spread a few favors around to the peasants. Its no wonder
Americans are cynical about our government.
Randy Humbert
humbert@mt.arais.net
Dear FRONTLINE,
Thanks for the program. This is probably the most important
Frontline you have produced lately. This program is a must
view for all citizens in our democracy along with every
political commercial. You have provided us with valuable
imformation that NONE of the candidates will say because
they all have a vested interest in the current process.
Dexter K. Decker
ddecker@ix.netcom.com
Dear FRONTLINE,
Great job on this wide-ranging discussion of corporate
influence on the political process. It was like watching
an insider's view of the workings of the Mafia, only worse,
since the Federal Government is bigger, richer and has more
influence on the lives of average people than organized
crime does.
M.C.
Dear FRONTLINE,
Congratulations on Robert Krulwich's superb piece of
journalism. Whether they know it or not, when people rail
about Washington elites, they're talking about wealthy
contributors who have effectively robbed the people of
democracy. Contribution by contribution, "So You Want
To Buy a President?" shows where the money goes and
what it buys -- from a warm handshake to a bill that sails
through congress. This is America's worst-kept dirty little
secret. You only scratched the surface; I hope you can
continue to follow the money trial in future episodes
without losing your corporate sponsorship.
Eric Knorr
eric_knorr@pcworld.com
Dear FRONTLINE,
Excellent job, Robert Krulwich! Glad to see that the eye-jerking,
post-modern format used on the last show you gave us were not signs of a trend for
the future.
Interesting that you did not mention (except in the interview with Lindner in the
web pages) that the "Banana Man", Carl Lindner, gave one of my fellow Arizonans his
start. When he lived "back east" (as so many Arizonans did), Charles H. Keating,
Jr., was an apprentice of Mr. Lindner.
Like Lindner, Keating gave many hundreds of thousands of dollars to politicians of
both parties. When confronted with this fact at a press conference, and when asked
whether he thought that the money bought him better access than other people, he
said, "I hope so". At long last, an honest man.
If Keating had been a little less honest, a little more circumspect, perhaps he
would have been sitting with Mr. Lindner, behind the president, instead of in
federal custody.
Steve Jones
sjones@igc.apc.org
Dear FRONTLINE,
Bravo on confronting the influence peddling that occurs in
Washington. One interesting point that was made is that
corporations have no qualms about buying both parties, and
I think there lies the problem. What we really need to
make any campaign finance reform measure take hold and work
is to eliminate the two-party bottleneck by eliminating the
electoral system that protects them. There are many more
advanced methods of registering public opinion that don't
unfairly bias elecitons toward two parties (i.e proportional
representation, with preference ballot, open or closed list
parlimentary-style votes, etc.). For more
information on this, see the web site for The Center for
Voting and Democracy (http://www.igc.apc.org/cvd/).
Rob Lanphier
robla@eskimo.com
http://www.eskimo.com/~robla
Dear FRONTLINE,
I viewed your documentary on the Buying of the President with great interest.
As a registered voter it makes me wonder what good it is to vote when others with
great amounts of money can with that money buy infulunce with out ever
having to cast a single vote. However, I cast my vote anyway because I know there
are millions like me with no monentary power who can afftect the outcome of the
Presidental race.
Its once elected, that I become concerned with the power brokers. Documentaries
like the one I saw tonight help clear the political air and let us know what is
really going on out there.
Keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing more programs like I saw
tonight.
M.O.
Antioch, CA
Dear FRONTLINE,
I just viewed the above mentioned program, and find it very
informative, especially in an electin year. Political culture
as other culture, changes so gradually it seems imperceptible
until things go too far. It seems we have reached that point.
I am a graduate student in Int'l Environmental Studies at the
Monterey Institute of Int'l Studies in Monterey, CA. I feel
this would be a very good film to show at school. I would like
to inquire how to obtain a copy of this Frontline production
to show at our school. I look forward to hearing from you.
My husband (he is presently in Milwaukee, WI) and I have long
been supporters of PBS, both here and in WI. Keep it up!
Thank you for Frontline.
C.R.
Pacific Grove, CA
Dear FRONTLINE,
Just saw your show and it was very instructive and relevent. I was left
with the thought that this may be the only way the nation can function given the
system. Like so many other things the problems here are systemic. I believe that
all is not gloom, these large companies do provide some jobs for some people. (My
current unemployment notwithstading). Every time I see Frontline it generally
involves groups of people spending enormous sums of money, usually politicians, and
it is hard for me to relate that many people are making losts of money. Great
show, great web site.
M.M.
Dear FRONTLINE,
I just saw the program tonight and it was excellent. I
hope to see this trend of "just-the-facts" political
reporting continue indefinitely. I already knew this
this type of thing was happening, but I certainly wasn't
privvy with the information presented in your program.
PBS and it's informed FRONTLINE reporters stand on the
verge of forcing a serious political campaign issue on
our (what I consider) unwilling candidates.
With the intelligent decision of allowing responses from
your web pages, you have placed yourself on the "reality"
end of implementing a truly digital democracy (with
emphasis on "true democracy").
Pat Brouillette
Dear FRONTLINE,
This show gave tangible, clear-cut examples of what we knew all along.
There's only one word to describe how campaigns are financed: OBSCENE!! If the
politicians won't reform themselves, then perhaps we need to put our energies into
national reform ballot referendums instead of working to elect people who truly
don't represent us. We know the problem; now let's deal with the solution.
Excellent show! Perhaps the subtitle could be "Pigs at the Trough!"
Sam & Dorothy Wake
Dear FRONTLINE,
What a program! I have to congratulate you all for the courage
and conviction to conduct serious investigative reporting. I
hope it is a sign of the future.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if Public Broadcasting (and thus,
all of us who support public broadcasting) were the
guardians of the Internet instead of the big corporations
whose concern is profit? Who else can understand the potential
of the medium to deal seriously with content, form, and the
spaces that live between the viewer, the event, and the
reporter or program director?
I am shivering from the the depth of reporting in this
program tonight.
But, I have to tell you that the best parts were the
editing and camera work. They were so subtley masterful that the
whole story was breathtaking. Little nuances, glances,
juxtapositions of comments with gestures. Brilliant.
What else can I say? Thank you for not talking down to me
and to other viewers across North America. How else can people
learn if not by challenging them with data that calls out
for answers? Hopefully, the American people were
listening tonight. As a Canadian, I wish you all the best.
Congratulations once again.
Dr. Ricki Goldman-Segall
ricki@unixg.ubc.ca
Dear FRONTLINE,
Great show! Please send a copy to the editors of all college and university
newspapers in the US. College students are waiting to be mobilized as they have
been in the past with the Vietnam War and civil rights. I've developed a project in
California to help college students understand how campaign finance reform (CFR)
relates to almost every issue of importance to them e.g., job prospects after
graduation, affirmative action, tuition and other fees, those 3 hour waits to see a
doctor at the student health service, etc. Californians will have a chance to enact
significant CFR legislation in November '96: the California Political Reform
Initiative which will put reasonable limits on campaign contributions and
spending(most important !). My approach is to approach editors of student
newspapers as a way to reach the student body. I would like to meet anyone
interested in getting involved who lives or works near one of the University of
California campuses who might be !
interested in helping with this project. I would appreciate help from Frontline as
well.
Again, great show ! Send it to college newspaper editors and shows them how to
relate CFR to specific student concerns.
Geoffry White, Ph.D.
Careerpaths@pacificnet.net
Dear FRONTLINE,
First, many thanks for your work on tonight's program re: campaign financing. I
would like to see -- and have always wondered why U.S. news commentators, et al.
have not researched -- the ways that other countries deal with these issues.
Having lived in Norway and studying Scandinavia, I know that other
countries--namely the Nordic countries -- have come up with far better and more
democratic solutions. Many of the solutions of other countries could address our
American problems.
Another issue and one that I find particularly distressing is the American
propensity to view government as intrisincly negative. Why don't you have a
program on other societies concerpts of government and the functioning of
government in those societies. Here, again I am particularly interested in making
known to my fellow Americans the ways in which the Nordic countries have shaped
their government and societies. We need desparately to have a more informed
citizenry. I cannot thank you eough for the constructive work which you have done.
A.G.A.
Seattle, WA
Dear FRONTLINE,
Thankyou for the superior journalism presented by Mr. Krulwich and your
reserach team.
It is painfully difficult to convince any young person why they should vote in the
face of the information you present.
I teach graduate students and their cynicism, despite motor-voter registration and
other sops to democracy.
As an immigrant and 25 year citizen I weep for this adopted land, where good might
be possible.
Do the cheap platitudes of the 60's actually apply to 1995 after all?
Pete Wilson: the corrupt real estate developer from San Diego.
Phil Gramm: a Texas Gun of a Man.
Bob "Pineapple" Dole: At last the return of the one-armed Nixon.
Antony Lepire
Dear FRONTLINE,
This was an exceptional report on the behind the scenes
practices our future leaders presidential campaigns. I wish
every voter would be required to see your excellent program
before making their decisions.
I would also like to show my appreciation for the objectivity
of the report. The practices of both the major parties and
even the independents was clearly shown.
Please keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
Eric Myers
emyers@ix.netcom.com
Dear FRONTLINE,
While watching your episode on 'Buy A President,'
I found myself actually taking notes; I found it all so intriguing...
After learning of the various telecom company
donations, it appears to be such a bargain they donate a few
hundred thousand for millions worth of business surrounding the
internet.
I really have nothing profound to add or suggest, but I enjoy
the ability Frontline (& PBS) offers for feedback. It's interesting
how I begin to watch & enjoy a program, only to realize time
(& time again) it is a Frontline episode. I believe
this one was my third. Now, I intend to make an effort to
watch... something I seldom do with tv shows in general.
Steve J. Champion
dutch@dhp.com
Dear FRONTLINE,
Your show was excellent in its scope and detail. Likewise, it was very balanced it
pointing out that both parties
play the same game. I think most Americans know this is going on. The magnitude of
what is happening has increased dramatically over the past few elections due to the
increased
cost of running for high office.
The real question is what do we do about it. I think it would have been good if you
had focused on some of the current candidates
and their positions on reforming the system as well as what they have actually done
about it!
The last segment where you showed Gingrich and Clinton shaking hands on a "deal"
to actually do something was very to the point. I watched that meeting last summer
and was under the impression that something would be done about it!!
Why does the press NOT focus on these kinds of things!!??
When you consider the amount of useless coverage and hearings on the Whitewater BS.
What a waste!
Keep up the good work. However, your work is INCOMPLETE unless you do a follow-up
focusing on
ways to fix the situation.
Sincerely,
Feridun Uygur
Dear FRONTLINE,
I can't remember when I've been so completely riveted to the
TV, nor so appalled. Moment by moment, my already foundering
faith in our government dipped even lower. This is truly a
subject that no other network would touch, for obvious reasons.
Thank you for, finally, shining a light on the worst blight
of our government. I sincerely hope that all member stations
can show this again, and again, throughout the '96 election
cycle.
Thank you, as well, for providing links, resources, and other
pertinent information that we common, non-wealthy voters can
use to try to change this positively putrid practice.
Always a supporter,
Janis Goodall
ariaw@ix.netcom.com
Dear FRONTLINE,
Just finished watching "so you want to buy a president"--
the contents should be the headline in every newspaper in
the country. the voters in this country need to know the
dirt in politics and the corruptions that exists. we must
find a way to diminish the power of washington and return
decisions about our lifes to the local level. the expose
about all candidates needs to be told. hopefully there is
someone running with character and a good moral background.
certainly the likes of clinton, dole, gramma forbes do not
qualify!
davedon.earthnet.net@near.net
Dear FRONTLINE,
This story gets to the core of why I support and participate in public
broadcasting. I have a better understanding of why certain political figues would
like to see PBS weakened or eliminated. The Gallo brothers may help corrupt the
political system with their millions, but I can have a bigger impact with my
hundreds. You've got my total support.
Bruce Halen
Terra Bella, California
bh001@zimmer.csufresno.edu
Dear FRONTLINE,
Thank you for the extremely useful information about how a campaign is
funded and how the funding is paid back in political considerations. Campaign
funding reform is long overdue but I am sure it will be a hard fight. It is
frightening to see the money charts and see in whose pockets the candidates appear
to be. With this information, perhaps we the voters can put pressure directly on
these few who seek to put their interests ahead of the majority. We can also put
pressure on our politicians to change the system and behave more responsibly. At
the very least, my vote will be a more informed vote. Thank you again.
Martha-Lisa Flinsch
Dear FRONTLINE,
I found the program to be one of the most insightful citizen aid in late
20th century American politics. It seemed fair and reasonably impartial in showing
the effects of money on both parties. I think the program calls for reform in the
way that Edward R. Murrow's "Harvest of Shame" brought reform to exploitation of
migrant workers. Now it is the politicians who are exploited and the voters, the
public good and general welfare ignored in political preferences given to narrow,
moneyed interests. I have followed the work of Kevin Phillips in his work on PBS
as well as in his books. His insights are marvelous. Is there any room left for
vision in politics or is it just "interest" that shapes public policy. Where did
Madison's balance of mutual interests go? Will the follow up on this program
suggest comparative analysis with how other government's avoid these pitfalls of
undue influence of narrow interests in American politics? Thanks for your good
work! I !
appreciated the program even though it was a little too depressing. A suggestion:
take a look at how tax structures and government expenditures for education, social
services and infrastructure compare with America's tax burden, structure and
services. Do lots of charts and interviews then compare inner city safety,
cleanliness and other indices of general well being. We may be wealthy but we may
not have the best "general welfare" in the world. Are we really living up to our
constitutional goals in assuring that the "general welfare" in being promoted? Or
is the national government focused too much on the welfare of a few to the
detriment of the many?
Dr. James B. Hunt
DrJHunt@aol.com
Dear FRONTLINE,
Though I am glad you covered the material that you did, I wish you had delved
deeper into Dwayne Anderas and ADM. I have had a hunch about him for years.
Tidbits suggest the governments involvement in the ethanol program have
given ADM a windfall. Due to their well made advertising campaign, some
people even think ADM is some kind of environmental company. I remember
Dwayne Andreas making a statement something like "If ADM didn't produce
tomorrow our cities would shortly run out of bread." Kind of a scary
statement, if looked at a certain way. It hasn't escaped me that ADM also
has become the sponser for about any show that might be a critic. Can the
media be bought, also? I did hear on public radio, a show documenting some
of ADM's predatory business practices. If I remember right, the show was
supported by funding from ADM yet was highly critical of it's business
practices. Do controversial companies sometimes try to buy the media. I
notice most of the sunday morning media shows are sponsered by ADM - which
also supports or sponsers about every business and financial show on cable
and public television alike. I remember something about Sam Donaldson and
Dwayne Andreas have vaction condos next to each other and being friends. I
wonder about things like stock investmest by media people. There seems to be
so much money involved in the mainstream media,(even some some multimillion
dollar salaries), are some of the media people ever wined and dined by the
people of influence? Just some concerns from middle America.
J.V.M.
Anderson, IN
Dear FRONTLINE,
I do not know whether to praise you or damn you..
I being from middle america and of conservative background, this was truly
one of your finest documentaries. that was the praise...now..i have never been
more disillusioned, dis-enfrancised, disgusted or depressed after being informed
as to the inner workings of this american institution.
we will lose america in the end, if we continue to sell it off.
smsrhi.aol.com@near.net
Dear FRONTLINE,
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Robert Krulwich's
expose of campaign financing was a beautiful example of
educational television,
For a long time now, I have thought that campaign
finance reform is the most important issue in American life
today. Forget about a flat tax for now. Forget about
terrorism from within. Forget about health care. None of
our problems will come close to being solved until we first
get money out of politics. This society won't come together
until people feel they have an equal voice in the decisions
that affect their lives. "Taxation without representation"
has been and always will be a justification for revolution.
The problem is finding a way to get money out of
politics. Perdonally, I'd like to see all political TV ads
abolished, so that candidates would have to rely on debates
to get their message across.
In any case, the first step in changing the system
is to remind the public regularly that the system is corrupt.
I'm glad that your program did just that, and I'm equally
glad that you were even-handed. Both political parties are
guilty of being influenced by money, and I'd hate to see
you criticized for taking sides.
Keep up the good work.
H.D.
Dear FRONTLINE,
Thanks for providing an informative insight into politics, pacs,
appointment of directors and the apparent need for a change in our political
system. perhaps, with the increasing number of people accessing the net we may be
able to shape politics and our democracy. I suspect, however, the pornographic web
sites will continue with a million hits a day and the professional sites will
average a thousand. Due to low voter turnout in the united states, as compared to
other democracies it appears a select few determine the power elected elite. would
politicians become more responsive to their constituents if their constituents were
working voters. It will be interesting to see if voter turnout increases with the
mail-in vote in oregon. I digress from my original point, thanks for a thought
provoking program.
Annei
Dear FRONTLINE,
Why didn't the labor and other unions make it on your show?
At the end of the show I was wondering about labor/unions
role in this issue. I took you suggestion of checking out
this site for more detailed information. I was supprised
what I found under the Democratic "soft money" chart. The
Number one contributor was the NEA followed by AFSCME, and
in fact, 8 of the top 17 listed were labor or union related.
Why were these organizations, and PBS's own for that matter,
contributions not scrutinized along with all the others.
True reform is needed! I think the most radical approachs
may be necessary.
Rick Weyrauch
Stillwater, MN
Dear FRONTLINE,
Thank you for another fine program. Your indepth research
and inciteful synthesis of the evidence has once again
provided for an informative as well as chilling account of
the reality of political influence. One can only hope that
bringing forth such documentation will influence change.
As a supporter of public broadcasting, I will continue to
look forward to more fine programming.
Thank you again.
D.J.
Chicago, IL
Dear FRONTLINE,
I just watched your program and wanted to comment.
I understand that these days you have to be sensitive to claims of Liberal bias in
public broad casting, but I think you went a bit overboard in your implication that
President Clinton makes public policy mainly based on favors owed to major
contributers. I think President Clinton is doing very well with the hand he has
been dealt.
You all should be applauded in your attack on the system itself, but I think it's
clear that the current system favors the Republicans more than the Democrats.
Clinton would endorse campaign reform, as he said, "in a heartbeat."
Nearly at the end of your program you pointed out that *all* of those on Ron
Brown's trip to China who had contributed in a major way to the Democratic Party
had also done so to the Republican Party. *That* is the problem! The rich will have
acess no matter who is elected. We do indeed need to find a way to insure that
those who have the ear of our leadership are the best and brightest, not just
merely the richest and most well connected. The problem is that that seems to
require a change in human nature itself.
Jack Warner
jwarner@freenet.columbus.oh.us
Dear FRONTLINE,
Thank you for your efforts on tonights show. It is of
great importance to the understanding of how government
must change. There is an uneasy feeling about the
government and shows such as this help explain why.
I just returned from Napa Valley last week. I'm a wine
enthusiast. The one thing that struct me most about Napa
was the wealth. Having watched your show I was astounded.
I am personally a big fan of Matanzas Creek who definitely
doesn't require any assistant with the great wines they
produce, and they are proud to admit it. Why in the world
then would an enormous operation like Gallo need assistance.
The last time I checked I didn't see any Chilean jug wine
on the shelfs of the local Farmer Jacks.
Finally I wonder how much more I am paying right now in
order to use the services of the AT&T's and MCI's as a
result of some potentially beneficial legislation.
Again thanks.
Brian Durfy
BrianW2@concentric.net
Dear FRONTLINE,
Possibly the most important program this season. As a member
of a number of underclasses--small (tiny) business man, middle? classer
small townie, middle ager, middle westerner--I am becoming increasingly
disgruntified with the only current American value: money, money,
money.
Hamlet said "To be or not to be." America says "to buy or not
to buy." As long as money controls politics and life in general
we will continue to the plague of social problems,
Lee Trucks
tramway@trucks.win.net
Dear FRONTLINE,
Wow! Your program on the buying of the president
provides a most comprehesive look at today's campaign
finance activities. PBS' ability to put the latest headlines
into an in-depth presentation is impressive. I was suprised
at the virtual absence of partisan blame-shifting and
finger-pointing and felt that the issues addressed were both
informative and compelling. Bravo, PBS!
David Arra
Dear FRONTLINE,
What a great, informative program. The information content,
detail and balanced presentation earn high marks for credibility.
While it may be fashionable to "trash" politicians, this
show traces the smoke back to the fire and leads one to
wonder if our low regard for politicians is still too high.
I am horrified at the ease with which money flows from
people and organizations to buy their "indulgences".
This show should be required viewing for all Americans now
and just prior to any voting exercise. Perhaps we would
more thoughtfully consider the candidates and their
qualifications.
Keith J Maxwell
Dear FRONTLINE,
Incredible! One of the most important pieces of journalism
since All The President's Men. Why can't CBS, ABC, NBC and
CNN bring us this kind of news? Perhaps because their
employees are also suckling from the teat, i.e. Pat Buchanan
and farmer Sam Donaldson.
Every high school senior in this country should be required
to watch "So You Want To Buy A President" before they're
allowed to graduate or vote.
Kevin D. Greene
donnadoe@aol.com