I have been saying for a long time that the only way to fix our broken political system is to hold the candidates to a fixed amount of campaign spending. This money should come from the taxpayers. The networks and print media should donate equal time to the candidates. Then and only then, will we see candidates who are seeking political office to serve their communities, their country, and the best interests of the people who elect them. Otherwise, the corruption in government will only continue and the amounts spent by political candidates will only rise to more obscene levels. I would also like to see casting a ballot on election day regarded as a civic duty, as is serving on a jury if called to do so. If a person chooses not to vote, then they should be subject to a fine of 25.00. I know it may sound silly of me, but I like the idea of encouraging citizens to participate in our civic process rather than disenfranchising them. I can hear the howls of protest from both parties now, even before I press the 'Add My Comments' button.

by DisgustedAmerican (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments) on Friday, Feb 24, 2006 at 4:37:19 PM

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The following is excerpted from Moyers latest speaking tour of Claifornia, courtesy of Thom Paine: http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2006/02/24/restoring_the_public_trust.php Some simple facts: The cost of running for public office is skyrocketing. In 1996, $1.6 billion was spent on the Congressional and Presidential elections. Eight years later, that total had more than doubled, to $3.9 billion. Thanks to our system of privately financed campaigns, millions of regular Americans are being priced out of any meaningful participation in democracy. Less than one half of one percent of all Americans made a political contribution of $200 or more to a federal candidate in 2004. When the average cost of running and winning a seat in the House of Representatives has topped one million dollars, we can no longer refer to that August chamber as “The People’s House.” If you were thinking of running for Congress, do you have any idea where you would get the money to be a viable candidate? At the same time that the cost of getting elected is exploding beyond the reach of ordinary people, the business of gaining access to and influence with our elected Representatives has become a growth industry. Six years ago, in his first campaign for President, George W. Bush promised he would “restore honor and integrity” to the government. Repeatedly, during his first campaign for President, he would raise his right hand and, as if taking an oath, tell voters that he would change how things were done in the nation’s capitol. “It’s time to clean up the toxic environment in Washington, DC,” he would say. His administration would ask ”not only what is legal but what is right, not what the lawyers allow but what the public deserves.” Hardly.

by ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2377 comments) on Friday, Feb 24, 2006 at 6:39:17 PM

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Rather than regulating the way the stage is set for presentation, perhaps we should be educating the audience about the content. Let’s face it, the trash that is poured across the airwaves and into cyberspace during an election would be absolutely useless if the electorate wasn’t so gullible to begin with. When organizations like the Swift Boat Veterans can succeed in swaying voters, it’s indicative of a far deeper problem. We could indeed create an even playing field for all candidates but so long as the voting public is more apt to believe those who create the most outrageous show regardless of the truth, the problem will persist. Voter education should be the first priority.

by Redoubt (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 6 comments) on Saturday, Feb 25, 2006 at 9:58:32 AM

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