Tag Archives: elections

Buying Votes

So far, front runner Mitt Romney has spent $124 million in the primaries and has received 4.1 million votes, for a cost of $30/vote. Gingrich spent $39 million or almost $18/vote. Santorum was the most efficient spending just $27 million, or a bit less than $10/vote. Next up is the general election. Assuming the winner will need 65 million votes, at just $10/vote that means raising $650 million! Democracy ain’t free.

Irish Elections

Yesterday Ireland held elections; Fianna Fail (FF) lost to Fine Gael & Labour (FGL). When the Irish economy tanked in ‘08 FF had the government guarantee all bad bank debt; a dreadful decision resulting in a $93 billion bailout and a painful austerity program. FGL promises to renegotiate it all. This may cause a Euro crisis like the one last spring which hurt US growth and added to stability.