Forum Post: A better election idea
Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 15, 2011, 1:58 p.m. EST by 8472ofborg
(100)
from Bruce, SD
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Right now the money involved in politics is ridiculous. Each politician spends millions on elections. Where does all that money come from? Wall street and special interest groups. Well, what if we could stop all the money? I think that is what this movement is all about. So, here is a way we could possibly do it.
Make it illegal for any individual or entity to donate more than $1,000 per year to any candidate. (The $1,000 is so people can still support a candidate but the candidate doesn't owe anybody in a big way.)
For all major offices (senate, congress, president) set up a government trust fund for elections that the population of the USA pays for in tax. This fund can only be used by up to 5 (maybe more) candidates and is split evenly among the candidates each election year. (this makes it so the candidate owes the American people more for their campaign finances than any individual. It also allows smaller parties to form and afford a run at an office. No more "battle chests" for campaigns.)
CORPORATE BLACK BOX VOTING STEALS OUR DEMOCRACY Many people still do not understand that black box voting is insecure, and the central reason 2000 and 2004 elections likely went to the loser. This page on the forum suggests a possible alternative:
http://occupywallst.org/forum/help-us-bring-attention-to-election-reforms/
I am of the opinion that money needs to be taken out of the process pretty much...I think time has shown that politicians and money don't mix well. Thanks for posting. Support the occupation movement and its artists! Cheers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reazEr_AIBk
The only problem with that is it costs money to get your name out. Money to show in a debate (or even get there). Money to organize public speaking events. Money can not be completely taken out of the equation. It can, however, be regulated so that a candidate owes the American people more than anything else.
YES this is called HOPE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QrDLwSgg24
If you allow any donations of any kind, you open the door for more corruption. Some one will find a loophole that will allow them to donate large sums of money. Besides, our politicians should not be for sale and the homeless man on the streets with not one penny in his pocket should have the same power and say as the richest man in the country.
Just my opinion, if you allow donations you changed nothing.
I thought about that but if it is specific enough about how you can donate (the term itself would need a massive definition) it shouldn't be an issue. That and it would be a shame if you had a person running you really wanted to help run but couldn't because of your location or because everything you wanted to do to help was already being done. Money would be the next best thing and a good way to show your support. The amount would just need a sever limit and a lot of oversight to prevent companies and organizations buying candidates like they are now.
All you are doing is changing where the goal line is. What about the people that can not afford to donate ? What if they support a different candidate then the one people who can afford to donate support ?
Our politicians are not for sale.
I'm actually working on drawing up a draft of campaign finance and lobbying reform very similar in goal to what you have here. It should go up ,either here or on theMultitude.org soon.
really? Cool. When you post it, send me a link so I can peek at it too ^^
I will, thanks!