2012 U.S. Presidential Election

[drone]

How much of our GDP is spent on elections/campaign funding? The only thing I can find says slightly greater than 0.01% for the 2008 presidential election, no details on if this includes primaries and such. I'm curious how much of our total economic output is wasted switching between the puppet on the left and puppet on the right.

[Lemur]

How much of our GDP is spent on elections/campaign funding?

I seem to recall reading that the aggregate cost of a presidential election is equivalent to half the amount spent nationally on chewing gum in one year.

Same book estimates total cost of all federal elections at roughly $1b.

-edit-

This might be helpful ... he even tries to factor in lobbying costs ...

[gaelic cowboy]

How much of our GDP is spent on elections/campaign funding? The only thing I can find says slightly greater than 0.01% for the 2008 presidential election, no details on if this includes primaries and such. I'm curious how much of our total economic output is wasted switching between the puppet on the left and puppet on the right.

I wouldnt say it's a lot or even significant at all in fact I would be more inclined to think it's a slight boost to certain local economies.

since elections cant be outsourced at least not yet