. . . Simple Campaign Reform Key To America's Future . . .
Since the citizens of the U.S. are pretty much in agreement that politics is out of control in America, we should work toward curbing influence by corporations and political action committees. While I realize this is an insurmountable goal, we can only move mountains by digging one-shovel-full at a time.
I believe the quickest clearest solution is to reform campaign spending in a very simple manner. First, campaign contributions should be restricted to individual citizens, with limits of $10,000 per contribution to federal offices, $5,000 to state offices and $1000 to all others (includes self-contributions). No corporate or PAC contributions allowed. <--Period. Second, institute a ceiling of $25,000,000 in contributions and respective spending for presidential campaigns, $2.5 mil for federal offices and governor and $250,000 for all others.
Such a system would allow many more candidates than merely the two-party-nominated elite. Any person capable of raising $25 mil could run for president. The balloon of influence by PACs and corporations would be severely deflated. They would gripe and groan without this influence. . .and would claim they "have no voice". . .which we know will never be the case.
But without their unabated influence, we would most certainly have a more efficient government. Politicians would not feel the pressure of submitting to these influences, and therefore would make better, fairer, less influenced decisions. Laws would be passed which would more accurately reflect the needs of the people, rather than just big business. It is time.
We have favored big business way too long. It is time for favor to swing toward the citizen. These very simple rules would change everything, in my opinion. For instance, flat tax would follow right behind such a change. Medicare would find its resolution. Trade deficits and job creation would move in the right direction. Since war would be less "important", our global neighbor's respect would be somewhat restored. The middle class would have chance of surviving extinction, and the wealth gap would be narrowed somewhat.
It sounds ridiculous to think that changing one simple thing about how we run our country would have such a long term impact. But clearly, the results of the influence by big business and PACs toward government officials and agencies represent the vast majority of what is wrong with America. . . and what so desperately needs fixed.
If American citizens do not speak up and make strategic timely demands, then the country is not governed by the people or for the people.
I am open to suggestions on making this happen and debate by those of you who are enjoying the way things are for yourself and your children.
Rande Is
Interesting grade school lesson on the subject: teachablemoment.org
Stats on 2004 election: opensecrets.org
More complicated, but similar sentiment: commoncause.org
Current Federal Election Rules:
fec.gov |
