Elon Musk and the political power of money

In his first public remarks since the election, former President Barack Obama said he “believes deeply in the promise of democracy — not only to recognize the dignity and the worth of every individual but to produce free and fair and more just societies.”

In the past election, Elon Musk contributed over $200 million to help Donald Trump win and to quickly propel himself to the top of Trump world as an influencer.

When one billionaire can buy more political speech than tens of millions of ordinary citizens combined, it is time to change the rules away from plutocracy and toward democracy.

A vigorous democracy would have public funding of election campaigns with strong limits on contributions so citizens could participate in politics as genuine equals.

Public funding of election campaigns is not just theoretical. It has been working well for years at state, county and city levels.

Richard Barsanti

Western Springs