"I love to go to Washington - if only to be near my money."

 

Bob Hope's quote "I love to go to Washington - if only to be near my money" is a humorous way to comment on the perception that Washington, D.C. is synonymous with wealth and power.

Hope was a comedian and actor, and his quote is likely meant to be taken as a lighthearted poke at the political process. However, it also speaks to a more serious truth about the influence of money in politics.

Washington, D.C. is home to the federal government, and as such, it is a place where large amounts of money are spent and where powerful interests vie for influence. This can lead to a sense that Washington is a city where money is more important than people or principles.

Hope's quote is a reminder that we should be vigilant about the role of money in politics. We should make sure that our elected officials are not beholden to special interests, and that they are working in the best interests of the people they represent.

In today's world, Hope's quote is more relevant than ever. The Supreme Court's Citizens United decision has opened the floodgates to unlimited spending by corporations and unions in elections. This has led to a situation where the wealthiest Americans have an outsized influence on the political process.

We must all work together to reform our campaign finance laws and to ensure that our democracy is truly representative of the people.