If we’ve learned anything from the cynical debacle that was McCain /Feingold, it’s that the more laws you pass the less transparent campaigning becomes. The same people clamoring for CFR were immediately looking for loopholes in the in the legislative fabric so they could continue funneling money to their candidates and causes. Don’t be fooled by laws and certainly don’t out any faith in laws written by the very people they are purportedly designed to control.
They wrote the loopholes in. Hillary was famous for going to state party fundraisers - she’d draw a crowd who would donate to the state party; including people who had already maxed out their DNC donations or campaign contribution limits. The’d write another check to the state party. The state party then had to turn around and write a check for 90% of it to the national party. Then the national party used it for her campaign. Hillary told the states “well if I didn’t come you wouldn’t have drawn such a crowd” which is probably true, so they agreed. They later complained it broke them financially Anyway the point is It wasn’t a loophole, it was intentional. The state parties can contribute unlimited amounts to the national party. I’m sure GOP did similar.
I am for freedom of association, it’s a right and it includes how people want to associate their money, but something has to be done about these PACs too. That is why I lean towards the simple - just put a hard cap on what a campaign can spend. Unlimited money to publish blogs and videos. No money for advertising. Something like that.