During elections there are a lot of words thrown around by the news media, various pundits and the voters (those who vote and those who do not). The words are used to try and build a story and influence the election. This years Presidential election has produced the word "establishment" to try and convey the message that so called "established candidates" are out of favor with the voting public. But nothing could be farther from the truth.
There are three Presidential candidates left in the race, Sanders, Trump and Clinton. After the conventions there will be only two. Bernie Sanders represents the "establishment" because he has been a member of congress for over 25 years. Donald Trump represents the "establishment" longer that anyone else, in fact all of his working life he has represented the "establishment" of corporate America. Hillary Clinton has represented the "establishment" serving in congress as a U.S. Senator for 8 years. She also served in the appointed job of Secretary of State for 4 years.
We know corporate America which Trump is part of give campaign contributions (in the millions of dollars) to elected officials because they are looking for special favors. Trump admitted that in the debates. If corporate America had a policy of not giving campaign contributions to elected officials then those elected officials would be more responsible to the needs of the country and the people they serve. So it is corporate America that keeps the political process corrupted. Cut off the dogs tail and it won't wiggle. Trump now says he would like to raise $1 billion for the general election and will seek it from PAC"s and corporate America. This is in conflict with his position all through the primaries when he said his campaign would be self funded.
Sanders says he receives no campaign contributions from PAC's or corporate America. He is a registered independent and would be donors probably believe he could not help them in congress. As a Presidential candidate he has raised enough money from independent people that has allowed him to compete. Sanders whole campaign has been about how money has corrupted the political system and that is why the 1% are the only ones advancing financially.
As a U.S. Senator for 8 years Hillary Clinton received campaign contributions from corporate America and individuals and is doing the same today along with PAC groups in her Presidential campaign. In 2013 she was out of public office and received speaking fees from various corporate America groups that has been the subject of comments by her opponents who would like her to make the transcripts of those speeches public. Something that has never been required in the past for any Presidential candidate.
So, here we have 3 remaining Presidential candidates and one who will become President who all represent the "establishment" and Hillary having the least involvement. Does that sound like the voters are against an "establishment" candidate? That won't wash and one can bet those voters are the same voters who have voted over and over for the same "establishment" members of congress who have been there for so many years.
The use of the word "establishment" is over played in this Presidential campaign and part of its use is to promote some one outside of politics like Trump. But Trump now wants to be in the political process and rub elbows with our political system. Since the next President will come from the "establishment" this writer would like to see the candidate come from the political "establishment" rather than the "establishment" of corporate America and for obvious reasons.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
