Scott Spencer, a Democratic candidate for the open Congressional seat, is donating 10% of his campaign fundraising to the Food Bank of Delaware, and he is challenging all other statewide candidates to do the same, whether it be to the Food Bank of Delaware or another charity of their choosing.
While our adversaries at Resolute Determination predictably think this is silly and worthless, I think it is a worthwhile gesture. Obscene amounts of money are spent on political campaign, even in Delaware. But there is really nothing to be done about curtailing the costs of campaign, save public financing, which probably will never happen as long campaign contributions are considered a form of free speech. So, why not use some of those obscene funds raised and spent in our political campaigns year after year and give back to those in need.
Now, if you support and vote for candidates that pledge to do more for our common good, Scott Spencer’s gesture is altruistic. If greed is your primary motivation in supporting and voting for candidates (i.e. cut spending on programs that benefit other people and give me my seventh consecutive tax cut now!), then surely this gesture by Mr. Spencer is silly.
If you are a political observer with some experience, you think this move could be brilliant if it garners public attention, so as to bring in donations and forcing your opponents (Carney, Cullis, Wade) to do the same. If not, then you are forced to donate money you desperately need, for surely you do not want to renege on your own promise to donate the funds, since that would lead to negative publicity. We will have to see how this campaign tactic / altruistic gesture goes. But, if you are so inclined, feel free to donate at Scott Spencer’s website, linked above.