180 million dollar and democracy

[Hans L]

Hi,

I just heard on the (our) 8 o'clock news that the current Republican Convention costs 180 million dollars...

Most of this money is sponsoring, but one wonders how much is coming directly from tax money... Anyway, my gut feeling (ahum) tells me these generous companies/individuals that gave all that money will be expecting to get as much or more in return for that particular favour... isn't that just a slap in the face of democracy?

I don't know the costs of the Democats Conventions, but it was quoted as being far less... duh...

 

[Rob M]

Most of this money is sponsoring, but one wonders how much is coming directly from tax money...

I was surprised to find this out, but according this, all of it comes from tax money:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4916709/ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4946006/

Though, some of it depends on what you mean by "costs". The travel and living expenses of the 1000's of delegates are all their personal responsibility (estimated at $4,000-$5,000 per person, depending on how swank a hotel they stay in). That may or may not have been included in your $180 million figure.

Also, according to this:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/uselection2004/democratic_convention.html

the democratic convention cost $150 million. And, the host cities expect to make a net profit on the deal, from all the money spent by delegates and media in local businesses. You know, just like the Olympics 😉

 

[Brian Donaldson]

Political conventions have digressed into pep rallys and winfalls for local prostitutes and strip bars.


Seems we could make better use of 1/3 billion dollars.


Back in the 80's when there was a Democratic Convention in Houston, I had a friend who was a bellman at the Hyatt Regency (swank hotel downtown Houston) who told me the dems don't tip. But the hookers were wairing extra toothy grins.