
The essence of the Liberal outlook lies not in what opinions are held, but in how they are held: instead of being held dogmatically, they are held tentatively, and with a consciousness that new evidence may at any moment lead to their abandonment. - Bertrand Russell
A Proposed Constitutional Amendment - Campaign Finance Reform
If I have written this correctly, and I doubt it, then the following proposed amendment to the Constitution would have the following effect:
- Citizens could only contribute to their candidate for Representative, their candidates for Senator, and their candidates for President or Vice President (or more precisely, their "Electors").
- Citizens could contribute as much of their own money as they wanted to said candidates.
- Citizens could not contribute as part of an organization, union, PAC or other such group...only individual contributions would be possible.
- Vast sums spent on campaigning would be a thing of the past.
- Politicians could concentrate on legislation, not campaigning for funds.
- Campaigns would be more courtly, less denigrating to all involved, and less insulting to the citizenry.
We elect individual people...it's time they were restricted to individual contributions...and ONLY from those whom they propose to represent.
I present, for your consideration, an Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Section 1
The right of individual citizens of the United States to contribute, financially or otherwise, to any candidate in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall be restricted to those candidates providing direct representation.
Section 2
The right to contribute, financially or otherwise, is restricted to individual citizens. No organization, private or public, may contribute to any candidate, nor may individual citizens act in conjunction for the purpose of contribution.
Section 3
Primary residency is to be considered authoritative in determining a citizen's candidates providing direct representation.
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21 Comments
Tami Klink - Jun 20, 2009 11:11 AM
Have a great week!
lakeside liberterian - Jun 20, 2009 2:53 PM
Victor Ponelis - Jun 20, 2009 3:01 PM
@LL: Yes, the media would have too much to lose, but think about it...why shouldn't contributions be restricted to those who would represent citizens? Rich districts would be represented by the rich, the poor by the poor...it would definitely increase representative sampling of the population in Congress...and politicians would have more time for policy.
lakeside liberterian - Jun 22, 2009 9:33 PM
Yah like that will ever happen in this country.
ajohnson911 - Jun 22, 2009 9:51 PM
Victor Ponelis - Jun 22, 2009 9:58 PM
@AJ: ALL groups excluded, including all PACs, unions, and, yes, ACORN. ONLY INDIVIDUAL contributions.
Victor Ponelis - Jun 23, 2009 7:32 AM
Get it?
referee33 - Jun 23, 2009 10:15 AM
Victor Ponelis - Jun 23, 2009 11:17 AM
jmark - Jun 23, 2009 12:04 PM
If you do away with PAC contributions, what's to prevent the Herb Kohls from using their vast wealth to essevtially buy themselves into office? Advertising sells!
Victor Ponelis - Jun 23, 2009 2:26 PM
If politics were perfect it wouldn't be incompatible with morality, for starters. I think my amendment would at least increase local input into candidates policies.
Remember, the trade off is: unlimited contributions, but you have to live in the district to contribute to a candidate. LOCAL INFLUENCE.
ajohnson911 - Jun 23, 2009 4:01 PM
And, I will give YOU an apology--though I was not actually addressing you--I always thought you chose the name as in I will "referee" the debate on this page from a centralist viewpoint--please don't try to claim that position now--you've shown your colors. I thank you for your service to this country in it's time of need--unlike liberals, I support all soldiers with both praise and financial support. As to my service, I was too young for the previous wars and too old (and injured) for the current war. I became a firefighter/EMT though following 9-11-2001--thus, my screen name. So, YOU are not a "traitor face"--I still level the claim against the others here who support socialism and talk-down to/about America (our ideals. . . sorry, obama does not support America enough in my opinion)--if that's not being a traitor, than what is? So, I hope we're ok. Thanks.
Victor, I'll get back to your post later maybe--it's hot out, but I've got to get outside to enjoy summer. Stay hydrated everyone!!!
Victor Ponelis - Jun 23, 2009 4:10 PM
Yes, AJ is right...check on old folks who don't have AC, and don't leave your pets outside!
jmark - Jun 23, 2009 8:14 PM
"I think that the Bush Administration's response to 9/11 in constructing this paradigm of a global war on terror, in promulgating the so called, Bush Doctrine of Preventive War, in plunging into Iraq - utterly unnecessary war - will go down in our history as a record of recklessness that will be probably unmatched by any other administration."
Traitor Andrew J. Bacevich — Professor of International Relations at Boston University, retired Army colonel, Veit Nam veteran, and West Point graduate.
On May 13, 2007, Bacevich's son, also named Andrew J. Bacevich, was killed in action in Iraq.
Al, get out there and soak up that summer sun, you wouldn't want to loose that nice red glow you've developed between your chin and collar.
ajohnson911 - Jun 24, 2009 1:35 PM
I'll take red-neck over traitor!!!
AJ
jmark - Jun 24, 2009 11:55 PM
Sorry Al, but I can't help but to despise you and those like you.
ajohnson911 - Jun 26, 2009 2:41 PM
jmark - Jun 27, 2009 5:57 AM
I know, you can't help it. You've been programed to believe that all professors, with the exception of Jessica McBride, are traitorous liberals.
Victor Ponelis - Jun 27, 2009 11:16 AM
lake country progressive - Jun 27, 2009 9:40 PM