Question: "Sir (or Madam): How much would it cost to get you to represent the interests of your constituents instead of your contributors? Because we could probably get it together for you if you'd just give us a dollar amount."
Politician: "That is a ridiculous question. My vote is not for sale. I represent the voters of my state (or district), period."
Question: "If I may just follow up: If that's so, and over 70% of your constituents support a public option, why are you not supporting a public option?"
Politician: "My constituents elected me to use my best judgement, not follow polls."
Question: "So the fact that you have received (x-amount of $) from the healthcare industry is merely a coincidence, and has no bearing on the fact that you are opposing the will of 70% of your constituents on this issue?"
Politician: "I accept contributions from many different organizations and groups, all of whom know that I will vote my conscience, and nothing else."
Question: "You are aware, Sir (or Madam), that every politician says that, and that 0% of the public believes it, according to a recent poll."
Politician: "Again, I vote my conscience and nothing else. No campaign contribution ever affects how I vote on any issue."
Question: "That's your story, and you're sticking to it?"
Politician: "That's my story and I'm sticking to it."
Question: "Come on, Senator (or Congressman/Congresswoman). A million bucks? Would you vote for a public option for a million bucks? Two million? How about 5 mil? And a foot rub!"
Politician: "I said, Good day, sir!"
The money in politics is the elephant in the room nobody is talking about. People should just be asking their representatives straight up about how much it takes to buy their votes. Because, regardless of their denials, obviously money has everything to do with how they vote. We shouldn't play along with the gentlemanly game that allows them to keep raking in the cash, while claiming it doesn't affect them one way or the other.