Reform our campaign finance system for all elective offices

The amount of money spent on campaigns for most levels of government has increased greatly recently.  However, the first concern should be the transparency issues of the donors.

There are campaign rules from the Federal Election Commission and from the individual states, depending on what level of government a contested office is in.  The federal (national) offices' campaign regulations are now compromised due to a dis-functional FEC.

A better electoral system for all government office openings is public financing.  By freeing all candidates from campaign fundraising, they can focus on the voting public in their respective races.

Open up the monied speeches of politicians

A common income from present and former political officeholders and leaders is giving speeches to groups in the private sector.  The amount for each speech varies by the politico; each one can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars; fundraiser speeches by office candidates can run into the millions.

Is it ethical to "cash in" political value he may hold?  Should he be more egalitarian, and contract only minimal fees for his speeches?  How important to the general public-- those not attending the event-- are these speeches?

Times change, and so do the speeches.  There should be more transparency to these events; the public needs to know what these important people have to say.

Judges and conflicts of interest

Right now, across the nation, private political donations are going to judicial candidates.  One can look at their campaigns' periodic financial reports; even so, some donor groups don't have to open up their donation information.

This unleashes corruption when court cases try judges' campaign donors.

When the plaintiff and the defense go to court on a case, they should determine whether its judges hold a conflict of interest in it.  They may open a reality that is too obvious to ignore.

We can't vote if we don't know who donates (and why they donate)

Right now, corporations can donate anonymously and unlimited to political campaigns.

Also, right now people can give $25 directly to their candidate's campaign.

As a voter, which of the two donors should be honored?  Which donor can also be a voter?

* Of course, the Federal Election Commission would answer what is legal and what is not, if they weren't politically corrupt like they are now.

Legislators, don't waste work time meeting with campaign donors

When are we constituents going to get full representation from our elected officials?  They spend half of their time asking donors for money to support their next campaign for office.

In the private world, they would be fired for taking so much time off.

Our representatives already have a hectic work schedule; they should worry more about legislating than making money.

All too often, money replaces merit in politics

All too often, money fuels politics in place of merit.

All too often, money factors the strength of candidates for government office.

All too often, money raised wins powerful positions in political parties.

All too often, money raised determines leadership in house committees.

All too often, money is spent for negative campaigning by candidates.

Fundraising and committee membership

Do you know why there are so many members of the House Finance Committee?

Could it be that all of them offer critical expertise to the committee?  Could it be that most members are successful incumbents in general elections?  Could it be that the qualified in financial issues are many?

One reason is that the finance issue lobbyists and the companies they represent give large financial contributions to the committee's membership, especially to its leadership.

It used to be common with most house committees that their legislators with the most experience moved up their parties' leadership ladder.  Nowadays, however, committee members who have the most success raising money is a committee's most valuable members.

Most legislators spend around half of their time personally fundraising; gaining a seat in a rich committee helps them and their respective political parties raise money for future elections.