Of the rich, by the rich, and for the rich

Gordon Smith, wealthy owner of Smith Frozen Foods and a privileged member of the ruling class with several relatives who have been senators and governors, is spending money like water to produce and air negative campaign ads about his Democratic opponents. Why would this incumbent Republican, who has been in the US Senate 11 years, need to go negative on expensive TV ads this early in a campaign in Oregon when he doesn't yet know who his actual D opponent will be for another week and a half?

Two reasons: 1. He's vulnerable on his abysmal record of supporting the Bush invasion of Iraq and voting consistently to fund it.

2. He's personally wealthy and a recipient of corporate largess, so he can. His campaign has raised $8.5 million, several times the combined campaign funds of all his opponents, with $4.8 million on hand. On May 9 the Associated Press reported that Democrats Steve Novick and Jeff Merkely had raised $1 million and $1.8 million respectively, with no figures given for John Frohnmayer, the Independent candidate who will presumably be on the final ballot from that party in November.

Smith is wealthy with at least two expensive mortgage-free homes in Bethesda, Maryland and Pendleton. His wealth has grown enormously during his time in "public service" as he votes for lower taxes for himself and his fellow elites. One might hope the intelligent yet economically suffering voters of Oregon will remember this when they vote in November.