I've said it before and I'll say it again. Money is not a form of free speech.
When the system is corrupt only the rich get to playball.
Have spending limits? Maybe. If we can limit the amount spent on each candiate we can tell which one's are bought by how much they take from an individual donor. There are plenty of honest people that can fund a run for office.
I think the run for office should be by the voters.. the real men and women of this country that want to see their poltician elected. Putting boots on the ground. Going door to door. That's real freedom of speech. Having conversations with people in that district. Not letting people vote by the smeer ad's run by "friends" of the particular candiate.
I know some people are going to run all over me calling me a free speech hater. But the fact is we HAVE to change our system. Our country is bought and sold everyday by people of wealth. I can influence by peers through motiviation and discuss but that influence doesn't carry the weight of the all important American Dollar.
The right to give money to someone is every bit as sacrosanct as the right to speak.