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Here is a starter link for anyone who might be interested in volunteering to work against money-bought politics. This is one of those few issues that has widespread support across all political affiliations, so you can definitely find one that matches with your political affinity.
In my opinion, all issues lead back to this one. Everybody has specific policies & issues that they care about, but we never arrive at voter-centric solutions because our politicians can't afford to take our side. If you want national politicians to return to caring about their constituencies, please consider supporting a cause.
In my opinion, all issues lead back to this one. Everybody has specific policies & issues that they care about, but we never arrive at voter-centric solutions because our politicians can't afford to take our side. If you want national politicians to return to caring about their constituencies, please consider supporting a cause.
Election Reform Groups
Posted from fixouramerica.org
Corruption
Government
Elections
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 2
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The attempt to "get money out of politics" is just another short-sighted feel-good measure that would have, as one of the many unintended consequences, exactly the opposite effect. If people like you and me are prevented from donating our money to organizations like Planned Parenthood or the National Rifle Association to speak on our behalfs on issues we care about, then we are effectively removed from the political debate. And if it is more difficult to inject money into the political process, then you're going to end up with only rich people running for office -- in other words, the money will still be in politics, but you will have less of a voice than you do now.
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CPT Alexander Grant
ah...so doing nothing is a strategy once again. or i guess everyone here doesn't mind, at least?
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SSgt Christopher Brose
CPT Alexander Grant - The Supreme Court has ruled that money in politics is effectively the same thing as political speech. Every time there has been an attempt to get money out of politics, it has had unintended consequences. I think we'd be better off allowing people to contribute whatever they want, but have 100% transparency so you can see who is giving to whom.
I think for most people, it really wouldn't matter. It's not going to upset me to find out a candidate I voted for received money from the NRA, for example, because I want my representatives to be supportive of pro-gun legislation. Where it would be likely to hurt candidates is if someone was running on a platform on one side of an issue and received the majority of campaign funds from the other side of the issue -- that would seem to indicate a back-room deal and playing both sides.
I think for most people, it really wouldn't matter. It's not going to upset me to find out a candidate I voted for received money from the NRA, for example, because I want my representatives to be supportive of pro-gun legislation. Where it would be likely to hurt candidates is if someone was running on a platform on one side of an issue and received the majority of campaign funds from the other side of the issue -- that would seem to indicate a back-room deal and playing both sides.
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CPT Alexander Grant
Yes.....100% transparency is basically the same thing as "getting money out of politics" when you consider the actual problem.
if there was 100% transparency, then people would be able to notice that corporations and unions pour money into certain campaigns and then reap great rewards.
In the last 5 years alone, the 200 most politically active companies in the U.S. spent $5.8 billion influencing our government with lobbying and campaign contributions.
Those same companies got $4.4 trillion in taxpayer support – earning a return of 750 times their investment.
There are a lot of people here who claim they believe in the "free market." So consumers would then be able the corporate cronyism and stop supporting companies that are hijacking their tax dollars.
Saying instead that we should just do nothing is passive acceptance of special interests staying in control
if there was 100% transparency, then people would be able to notice that corporations and unions pour money into certain campaigns and then reap great rewards.
In the last 5 years alone, the 200 most politically active companies in the U.S. spent $5.8 billion influencing our government with lobbying and campaign contributions.
Those same companies got $4.4 trillion in taxpayer support – earning a return of 750 times their investment.
There are a lot of people here who claim they believe in the "free market." So consumers would then be able the corporate cronyism and stop supporting companies that are hijacking their tax dollars.
Saying instead that we should just do nothing is passive acceptance of special interests staying in control
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SSgt Christopher Brose
My position isn't that we should do nothing, my position is that most people who talk about getting money out of politics haven't come close to thinking things through, and usually present their arguments in bumper-sticker-level debate. I'd be all for increasing transparency, and if I heard a good plan for it, I'd support it.
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