Put your money where your mouth is . . .

According to SCIWAY.net, there are over 4 million people in SC.  A little more than 1/2 of those 4 million are registered to vote.  Let's just assume for this purpose that 1/2 of the registered voters are registered Republican.  There is a Republican primary here on Saturday.  Over the past two days, I'm averaging 8+ calls from the candidates.  Imagine if all registered Republicans are receiving those calls.  Look at the print ads.  Received at least 4 cards for different candidates in the mail yesterday.  Look at the tv/radio ads.  Not just in this small state, but in all states with major primary action.  Think about all that money.  WASTED on politics.  I want a candidate who says, "You know.  Instead of using ALL this money to attempt to get elected, I'm going to donate it to Head Start or The Red Cross or The Salvation Army or (insert your local charity).  I'm not going to be nasty to another candidate.  I'm going to use this money and position for greater good and NOT for my election."  I know there are laws preventing the use of election money for this.  Just go with me to this fantasy place for a bit.  What would happen?  What would happen even if it were donated to offset the deficit?  I would vote for that candidate! In a heartbeat.  Republican OR Democrat.  That won't happen though.  We will watch as candidates burn through money while campaigning in states where the unemployment rate is still incredibly high, where the number of homeless continues to grow, where kids go hungry, etc and we will continue to receive 8+ unprompted and unanswered political phone calls a day.  WHAT is wrong with this picture??