Posted on 02/17/2002 2:49:11 PM PST by baldy
The “campaign finance problem" has nothing to do with financing of political campaigns. The problem is about corruption, at the highest (and lowest) levels of government in this country.
Otherwise, there is no problem. If somebody wants to see Joe Blow get elected over John Doe, he can give all the money he wants to Joe’s campaign war-chest. And as long as Mr. Bigbucks doesn’t show up at the Statehouse door with his hand out, everybody’s happy.
The truth is though, that under the current system politicians are being bought and paid for all the time by dishonest individuals, corporations, unions and other organizations who want to influence legislation and other governmental activities to gain some advantage. And they do this by making big donations to politicians to help get them elected or otherwise pay them off.
Sometimes what they get back are government “favors,” whether in the form of non-competitive government contracts, government projects (“pork-barrel” items such as airports, highways and bridges, irrigation canals, and dams) or special legislative requirements (such as “prevailing wage” requirements or trade “protection”). Or it might be “tax loopholes” or “special treatment” or “regulatory relief” by government agencies. It’s no surprise at all that market capitalists along with big labor bosses line up to ask for favors that are not free enterprise or that do not represent true collective bargaining. What they get is corporate or union welfare. And all the "hidden agenda" organizations sell their wares like the whores they are. After all, the U. S. Congress alone sits on a pot of $2 trillion. How much more is doled out by State, County and local government entities?
Corruption is the problem, and everybody knows it. Not only that, but it’s getting worse.
What if, however, a very simple law could be enacted that would totally eliminate this type of corruption? A law that would not involve “public financing” of elections (i.e., taking tax money to add to the other ill-gotten gains). Anybody, corporation or group, could give all the money they want to, to any politician or cause they wish.
How would it work? Easy. All donations would have to be made anonymously and in cash. Every politician or political cause would have to have a CPA firm set up like a blind trust to receive its donations. Then you’d find out what politician is actually supported by people (and groups, and corporations). And which ones are crooks, stumblebums, and charlatans.
Fascinating.
McCainiac is someone who is in a slow-motion train-wreck, with his very skin betraying his life. He is on the road to death, and he aims to take as many of us with him as he can.
Because Lawyers Now Have Control of Nation Once Ruled by Law!
Full and prompt public disclosure of donors is a minimal step.
But how about the "hidden agenda" groups? How can they be required to be honest?
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