The U.S. Congress
 
 
Being an incumbent means never having to say Goodbye. Open Secrets http://www.opensecrets.org/overview/incumbs.php reports that in this 2008 election cycle, incumbents have an enormous financial edge over challengers for House and Senate seats that are up for re-election. Senate (Average) Incumbent $7,846,585 - Challenger $766,146. On average, Senate incumbents have been able to raise 10 times the amount that challengers have raised. House of Representatives (Average) Incumbent $990,934 - Challenger $222,888. On average, House incumbents have been able to raise almost 4.5 times the amount that challengers have raised. Congressional incumbents have an incredible re-election edge. In addition to money, incumbents have a very liberal “office allotment that pays for offices and staff both in Washington and in their home districts. Their travel expenses are also paid for by the tax payers (while in and between Washington and their home districts). This election, there are about 470 congressional seats up for re-election. The voters have a rare opportunity to remove a large number of elitist career politicians from the Congress. Please vote in line with YOUR interests. You can learn more about incumbent advantage at the following sites - Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_stagnation_in_the_United_States -Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/06/AR2006060601330_2.html - Citizens For US Direct Initiatives http://www.cusdi.org/reelection.htm VOTE THEM OUT ! http://www.opensecrets.org/overview/incumbs.phphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_stagnation_in_the_United_Stateshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/06/AR2006060601330_2.htmlhttp://www.cusdi.org/reelection.htmshapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1shapeimage_1_link_2shapeimage_1_link_3
“Ha, I’ll be re-elected.  I have the special interest money, and the staff paid for by the tax payers.  I have the party behind me.  I  can reach the voters at no cost.  The tax payers pay for my postage, telephone, internet etc.   I’ll spread a little pork around.
NO PROBLEM!”
Friday, July 25, 2008
Incumbents’ Advantage