Call me cynical, but I rank such a belief on an intellectual par with belief in levitating swamis and in messages sent from the beyond by Princess Di. A politician seeking office gets his funds by begging no more than an accountant or an architect gets his funds by begging. Like the accountant and architect, the politician offers a quid pro quo in exchange for campaign contributions. As FEE's president, I raise funds by convincing contributors that monies given to FEE will be used wisely to promote a free society. The president of General Motors raises funds whenever his firm borrows money, issues new stock, or sells any of its automobiles.
Banks raise funds by offering attractive interest rates to depositors.
Novell raises funds by developing and selling software. In a very real way, the entire commercial society is one immense fund-raising enterprise. The particular means of fund raising differ from enterprise to enterprise, just as the specific purposes for which these funds are raised differ from enterprise to enterprise. But everyone who makes a living in the market must persuade others voluntarily to part with some of their money. Politicians, however, don't make their livings in the market.