How does someone introduce legislation - ever ask yourself how that process works? I have and I have discovered that it's quite difficult for an individual. A few years ago I determined that corporate money needs to be removed from Federal and State Governments - apparently I wasn't alone. With the 2010 Governors onslaught it became even more apparent whilst watching the money being poured into the RGA (Republican Governors Association) and than the agenda post elections. Personally, I think they could have been a bit more circumspect but they chose to take action in tandem, a show of force I suppose. How do people initiate Campaign Finance Reform while the beneficiaries are in office? It's a bit self perpetuating - you donate money to a candidate who is willing to fight for 'CFR' who has now taken money to be able to win and fight for a cause that is not in their best 'personal' interest. Hmmm....
We've spiraled into a Twilight Zone episode...
How are we to expect our currently elected representatives to initiate real campaign finance reform when their very jobs depends on money they will get to run a campaign and that money comes from well, special interest groups, PACS, C4 PACS and groups to numerous to list.
My first idea:
Limit campaign spending to a year salary of the office they are running for and give them 9 months to make their case.
Doesn't really resolve the campaign donation issues - just limits how much they can spend. So, technically it would still be very easy for a benefactor to purchase a legislator - just cheaper.
Why is it so easy to buy a representative - everything is already outlined for them. Just introduce the model laws and we will do the rest...
...- it's good to have enough money to buy state legislators - pretty lazy lawmakers when they have Washington think tanks write their state laws.
The GOP are representing their constituents - somewhat obligated aren't they since they were paid fair and square to give their donors their monies worth. You want representation? Form a PAC or non-profit 'think tank' and write laws for State and Federal legislators to introduce laws on your behalf. I'm thinking the Senate/House need a pay deduction since they stopped writing legislation - introducing laws is far different from writing them.
I think it explains all too well how the State of Arizona ended up with a Governor Brewer but it could be said of Dems as well.
I was thinking that it isn't such a good idea to fight fire with fire - sometimes water works and for electrical fires use foam. The money in politcs has to be have a cap and frankly there will be no legislation in the near future to address the issue so how can a candidate expect to win without financing?
My candidate has more money than your candidate so that is an automatic validation that my candidate is better than yours - more people are willing to buy mine. In essence I have a better product because 8 of 10 campaign PACS are willing to donate to mine.
Could it be a mindset? You will only believe what you hear on the radio, tube, internet that validates what you have already been told?
Back to my first idea - why not elaborate on limiting spending of a candidate to the year salary of the office they are running for? Let's say that we also put into effect some of the model legislation from Great Britain and take Campaign Finance Reform to the next level - action.
Representation of the People Act of 1983 - Sections 72 to 90 control the total election expenses that can be spent on behalf of a candidate.
During the time limit of the election, all money spent on the promotion of a candidate must be authorized by his election agent. This includes the cost of holding public meetings, organising public displays, issuing advertisements, circulars, or otherwise presenting the candidate's views and the extent or nature of his backing or disparaging another candidate. It does not include travel expenses from home or similar personal expenses.
The expenses limit for the campaign (which is enforceable due to it all having to be authorized by one person) is £100,000 for a parliamentary by-election, but is approximately £5,483 plus either 6.2p or 4.6p for every registered voter in the district.
Reminder - every conflict must have an exit strategy...
