Political Contributions (Policy Proposal #1)

Proposed Policy

A) Remember that “check box” on your tax return where your tax dollars can be used for political campaigns? Instead, we should use those funds to set-up a standard web format where you can access all the information you will need for an election. In addition the candidates would be required to enter all relative information in text form into the web site. Information such as where they stand on key issues and their proposed solutions. Each candidate would also utilize tools such as “YouTube” style videos on the site. The videos would allow voters to have a feel for the candidate’s personality in addition to hering their message.

B) Limit the use of a candidate’s private funds to $50,000.00. Limit 527 and 501 organizations to $50,000 that they can spend on behalf or against a candidate.

C) Review existing contribution rules to close any loopholes that are not in the spirit of reforms.

What would this accomplish?

A) By having a central web site regulated by the government it would level the playing field. Each candidate would have a forum to state their platform, policies, and solutions. This would allow outsiders to run and compete for office based on addressing the issues. For voters it gives them a starting point to perform their research and make comparisons on the issues.

B) Most rich people got where they are because they are smart & charismatic. We still want these people to run for office. But we do not want them to have an unfair advantage. If they are truly smart, they can compete effectively with these fiscal constraints. We do not want 527 and 501 organizations to become an extension of the party or candidate.

C) We need to shift from monetary driven campaigns to information driven campaigns. The presidential debates is an example of an informational campaign over a monetary campaign. All the presidential candidates are on the same footing in this setting. It seems everytime a campaign reform bill is passed someone figures a way around it. We need to continuously plug the holes.

Commentary

Are you tired of seeing all the same insiders running for office? To make it worse, most of our leaders are either career politicians or lawyers. Is that the field that we want to pick our leaders from? These concepts would open up the door to a whole new field of candidates.