Wanna stop corruption? Get the money out of politics - period.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

Push for public funding of all federal office campaigns - with limits. The idea that corporations and the wealthy "generously" contribute to candidates out of the good of their hearts or from ideals with no payback expected is beyond naive.

Here we have the two houses of congress, jam packed with lawyers, who can't seem to come up with a workable campaign-finance reform bill without a zillion holes in it. Could it possibly be that maybe, just maybe, all those lawyers don't want to cut off their bread and butter? Politicians being such a trustworthy lot. Kinda like having the mafia reform itself.

But, it's much easier to let "politics as usual" destroy the last vestiges of democracy and make this country into a full-fledged oligarchy instead of the one decorated with a thin veneer of illusion that the people run the government.

[leftofthedial]

1. yep! no private money allowed in politics.

I couldn't agree more.

We have institutionalized psychopaths (corporations) taking advantage of institutionalized bribery (campaing contributions and lobbying).

Capitalism is a monster that will devour this planet. The final anticlimactic gulp of the last possible resource (externalized cost) will occur moments before the last stockholder chokes to death on the last poisonous gasp of atmosphere.

[no_more_rhyming]

8. Would that mean I wouldn't be able to

support Kerry over Dean, or Clark over Hillary?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

12. Support whoever you please. It just levels the playing field.

[newyawker99]

25. Hi no_more_rhyming!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[leftofthedial]

26. you can support whomever you please

talk, display stickers, pass out literature, vote . . .

you just can't give them money

money is NOT free speech

a corporation is NOT a person

[baldguy]

2. No More Abramoffs

Public Financing For Democracy.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

3. How do we do it?

How do we insure that something else isn't subsituted for money? The system is set up to allow those with the dough access to lawmakers. Every organization seems to have a lobbying agent or firm. But us average folks, too busy scrambling for crumbs needed to survive don't have the time, money or energy to work the lawmakers over in our favor. I love the idea but don't know how to start........ :shrug:

edited for spelling.

[serryjw]

6. EASY!

Every citizen MUST donate $10/annually to the national campaigns on their tax return.

[madokie]

10. I like your idea

[serryjw]

13. Besides the obvious advantages think about this

HOW MANY good people do not get into politics because they can't raise the $40 MILLION for a Senate run. This is truly the only answer if you want democracy.I think the primaries would have to be self financed or you would have diluted the available money too fast..but maybe not. I'm concerned that a primary like 2008 will have 10 candidates on each side. BUT if you could get down to the 2/3 from each party this would be great. Maybe a national IVR. You get points for coming in 1-2-3 in each primary and the others would just drop out.
What do we have 100 million voting age adults in US? That would be $4 BILLION for each 4 year election cycle. Can't we have 2 congressional/senate races, and one Presidential for $4 BILLION. IF NOT, lets close up shop!

[madokie]

23. no insurmontable roadblocks here

some might think its a poll tax though

[serryjw]

4. You mean you support DEMOCRACY?

What a crazy idea. I have said for years that the only solution to this problem is publically funded national campaigns. It would cost each Citizens less than $10/yearly! We would get all crap ended once and for all. No one is talking about what this investigation has cost the US and what it will cost in the future. Yes, you are right. NO ONE wants it ...neither thug or dem. They love their special interest money. OR they would have to actually talk to Americans about what they REALLY care about.

[LostInAnomie]

5. Indeed

Limit political donations from people, corporations, etc. to $1.

[A Simple Game]

19. What! That will limit my freedom of speech!

Actually the opposite is true, having the limit set at $1000 means that I can't afford the same speech that rich people can afford.

[Matariki]

7. that should go for 'advertising' (campaign spending) budgets as well

as it is now, the richest man usually wins.

[serryjw]

18. F*CK..don't get me started....

The damn network MUST give free air time to national campaigns. They have had it there way for way to long.

[leftstreet]

9. It'll come down to Labor vs Corporations

When the real battle lines are drawn - Global Corporatism vs Global Labor - politicians will be forced to decide how much butter they want on their bread.

[StellaBlue]

11. I'm 26 and I have been ranting and raving about this for ten years.

recommended

[serryjw]

15. I'm 55 and have done the same

I'm happy the crooks will fall. BUT it puts such a stain on the process. The Indian tribes paid a dear price for this. Are we going to get Ralph Reed?

[RedEarth]

14. So do any states have public funding for statewide elections?

I seem to recall AZ had public funding or was considering it.

[blindpig]

16. Television.

Most campaign money purportedly is spent on tv ads. The filthy bastards are getting richer than god while wrecking the republic and turning the people into a gang of morans. Fuck that, some formula should be devised, perhaps something like that used for matching campaign funds, to distribute a set amount of air time per candidate. If they don't like it jerk their licenses.

Just one part of the problem, but a big one.

spell check!

[Missy Vixen]

17. THANK YOU

>Push for public funding of all federal office campaigns - with limits.<

The only way I would continue supporting the ability to accept private campaign fund contributions is to limit individuals to $25.00, and $100 from any corporation. "Bundling" would be outlawed.

I agree with you: The money is corrupting. It must stop.

>Politicians being such a trustworthy lot. Kinda like having the mafia reform itself.<

The only way to change this perception is for the average person to get involved. Run for school board, city council, or dog catcher. We are the ones we've waited for.

Julie

[serryjw]

20. $25,000 TOO Much

The CEO's and the Churches would still do their dirty deeds. ONLY the wealthy can donate $25,000 which still puts us in a disadvantage. WHY should Gates's vote mean more than mine?

[Missy Vixen]

24. Evidently, my period was misplaced

$25.00 for individuals, $100 for corporations. No bundling. No exceptions.

Julie

[serryjw]

27. RFLOL!

NOW $25.00 is more like it.

[crispini]

21. I agree.

Campaign finance reform is the WAY TO GO.

[stanwyck]

22. Plus, term limits

hard to buy influence when that paid-for congressman/woman won't be there long enough to come through on your payola.
Of course, we'd also lose with term limits. Just when our influentially helpful congressman/woman gets to where he/she has a power base...they're gone.
Our forefathers never intended for our Congress to be made up of professional politicians who serve lobbyists. Our Congress was designed for hard-working idealists who want what is best for the people of America. Not people who are looking to line their own pockets and land a soft, and highly lucrative, chairmanship when they leave Washington.
The people have been pushed aside for these pigs at the trough.