Election Finance Reform

By Dick Eiden

Effective election finance reform demands that we limit the amounts any single entity or individual may contribute to political campaigns, whether the contributions go directly to a candidate, to a political party or to a political action committee (PAC).

Effective reform requires limits on amounts that any single entity--an individual, corporation, union, or special interest group--may contribute to candidates or political parties. I support independent Senator Bernie Sanders and others who are leading the charge to amend the Constitution to make it clear that corporations are not people and money is not speech, flawed concepts which have opened the floodgates to unlimited moneyed influence.

Ultimately, I believe we should consider a system of public financing of elections. Yes, there would be expense involved, but I believe our government would save far more than it now wastes in spending mandated by legislators seeking to satisfy the demands of wealthy donors. Finally, I would like to see the election season shortened. If campaigns sought to truly educate voters, the prolonged battles could be justified, but that is not the case. Elections are not sport; however, much campaign rhetoric treats it as such and does nothing to clarify the issues. Tremendous amounts of resources are consumed. Briefer, more focused campaigns would better serve us all.