Financing Politics Instead of Freedom

Although its not a current hot topic perhaps one of the most important needs for change in the American government is campaign finance. The last time this issue was discussed on the national stage with any meaning effectively ended with the McCain-Feingold Act. This is important for two reasons. First, this Act did not solve the problem. Secondly, to add a little insult to the injury the Act took away some of our freedoms in the process of trying to do a good thing.

What’s Wrong with McCain-Feingold

McCain-Feingold limits free speech 30 days prior to a primary election and 60 days prior to a general election. During these periods groups of voters are not allowed to engage in political advertising. Whether its the NRA or the ACLU political ads are off limits during these times. I don’t know about you, but I can’t afford to personally pay for TV time to address the public on the issues. The only way I could accomplish such a goal is to join together with other like minded individuals. This is part of what groups like NRA and ACLU do. This is a gross encroachment on freedom of speech.

McCain-Feingold doesn’t really deal with the problem. Ask yourself, “why is it illegal for me to make my own decision about wearing a seatbelt, but a big corporation is free to take that choice away from me by manufacturing buses without seatbelts available?” (Even School Buses) This is only one example of many ways corporations have freedoms we do not. Part of the reason for this is their ability to make large donations to political candidates. My question is why are business’ permitted political donation in the first place? We don’t allow companies to vote for a reason. The government is supposed to be by and for the people not the companies. Adding little “tweaks” to the broken system only makes the system more complicated, and do little or nothing to address the true problem.

Possible Solutions

Throw out the old system and start from scratch. The new system should be simple enough to be read and understood by a high school student. (In fact almost no law should be passed which cannot be understood by the average graduate of the highest grade level provided by the government.) Only radical change will make a real difference.

First, outlaw all political contributions and political ads by for profit corporation’s. While I’m sure the current influence of for profits will make this next to impossible it is still a goal which should be worked toward.

Next all direct contributions to political campaigns and parties must be secret. This seems wrong at first, but consider the following. In our Nation’s history we once had an open balloting system. Under this system it was possible to buy votes because the purchaser of the vote could watch the voter to ensure they voted accordingly. In this system it would be impossible for anyone to pay a congressman, for example, with a political contribution to vote a certain way on a bill because they would have no legal way to contribute money that the candidate would know came from them. All contributions would be through the FEC.

Individual contribution limits should be maintained. Without limits on personal giving the voice of the poor and middle-class are drowned by the giving of the rich. This is one attribute of current rules which should be kept. No more than $2,000 per individual per an election cycle annually adjusted for inflation.

Political Action Groups must be regulated similarly to candidates and political parties concerning financial donations. Each individual could only give $2,000 annually to non-profit political action groups. Groups which pursue charitable or other missions outside of political activity may separate donation dollars so limits do not apply to other charitable efforts. This is necessary for the same reason’s limits on direct personal giving are. The voice of the rich cannot out weigh others. Further, monies used for political contribution or advertising must be give for such purpose. General giving to a church or dues for a labor union should not be used to support political action the giver may not agree with. Churches, Unions, and the like should be able to contribute to the political process, but only with dollars given for that reason. Any money given to any group engaged in political activity should be given for that purpose, and be within individual giving limits.

While these ideas may not cover everything there adoption would be a vast improvement over the current system. It is unlikely these changes will be adopted anytime soon. I am sure they have been advocated before, and very likely in more eloquent prose. These changes are perhaps the most necessary changes for our government. Without these changes or ones like them our government will be less and less for the people and more and more for the corporation and politician.

~ by J. Scott on 19Oct08.