Campaign Reform & Term Limits

Campaign reform is a major issue in this country.  It seems like there is no way to stop major corporations, unions and special interest groups from “buying” our elected official in Washington DC with their campaign contributions. 

When I see the money spent on political campaigns, it almost makes me sick.  The amount of money spent per vote cast is ridiculous.  Campaign money spent on media buys like television is great for bottom line of the media, but is a waste otherwise.  Think of the good this money could be doing. 

New legislation is passed and there always seems to be a way around the legislation.  The “Super Pacs” are a good example.  The “Super Pacs” are really bad in my opinion, because the politician they promote can deny any control or accountability for them. 

Someone sent me a quote a while back that I thought was interesting.  I do not know who the author was.  It went like this.  “Senators should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers so we could identify their corporate sponsors”.

I would change it a little to read, All elected officials should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers to identify the corporations, unions, and special interest groups they really represent.

I don’t know what we can do to get our elected officials in DC to represent the people.  A friend of mine had the idea that no campaign funds should be allowed from any individual or group with an address outside of the geographic area the elected official represents.  This is a good idea.  Maybe the elected individual would actually work in the best interests of the people he or she is supposed to be representing. 

Money seems to elect our representatives, and these elected officials have to pay back the people who provide the money to elect them.  Large campaign contributors do expect a return for their contribution.  They don’t spend this money out of the goodness of their hearts. 

Our elected official’s number one concern often is getting re-elected.  This results in making promises to corporations, unions and special interest groups in order to raise campaign funds.  Consequently, our elected officials have to work for what these groups want.  This means the elected official often does not act in the best interests of the people they should be representing, or in the best interests of the country in many cases. 

I have been critical of term limits.  I felt there could be some advantages to a professional politician if that individual would represent the people.  I felt that if we could get working campaign reform and eliminate earmarks, there might not be a need for term limits.  Unfortunately, I am coming to the conclusion that meaningful reform in these two areas will not happen without term limits.