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The Problem of Private Money in Public Elections
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Nick Palumbo, Minnesota Alliance for Progressive Action
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With military spending on the rise, a federal deficit spiraling out of control, corporations sending good-paying jobs overseas, affordable healthcare nonexistent, and social investment programs in decline, it is easy to feel cynical about today’s world. Although there is no consensus to the answers to these problems, one thing that is becoming clear to a growing number of organizations and individuals is that private money in public elections is a recipe for disastrous public policy. Until we break candidates’ dependence on private donors, common sense solutions to these foreign and domestic problems won’t even make it into the debate. So what can we do?
As with most issues, innovative solutions to national problems usually start at the state level. In the late 1990s, the citizens of Maine and Arizona recognized this potential and, through much hard work, were able to get their states to adopt a Fair And Clean Elections (FACE) system of public financing.
Under FACE, candidates can qualify for nearly full public funding in exchange for meeting these public trust requirements: 1) demonstrating grassroots support, 2) abiding by strict spending limits, and 3) agreeing to forego almost all private contributions.
In just two election cycles, this revolutionary new way of running for office produced dramatic results. In 2002, Arizona made history by electing the first governor, attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer free of private money. Not to be outdone, Maine elected three-quarters of their Senate and over half of their House as “clean” candidates. FACE has also opened the door for more voter choices (including more women candidates and candidates of color) while freeing candidates to spend the bulk of their time talking to voters rather than donors.
Here in Minnesota, efforts to implement FACE are well underway. Currently, a bi-partisan group of legislators and over 60 organizations, including the League of Women’s Voters and WAMM, are working to build support for FACE. We are off to a great start, but much more public education is needed to bring FACE to Minnesota. We need your help in spreading the word! Please see the sidebar on this page to learn more about what you can do to help. |
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The Cost of War
According to MoveOn.org, “The U.S. occupation of Iraq now costs about $1 billion a week—as much as the Federal Government spends on after-school programs for the entire year. Those are just military costs—not including any money for rebuilding Iraq.” Now the Administration is asking for $87 billion to continue to fund the U.S. occupation of Iraq.
Let your representative and senators know how you feel about the occupation and its funding. Congressional switchboard: 1-800-839-5276 or 202-224-312.
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© 2003 Women Against Military Madness. All rights reserved.
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Complete October 2003 Index - click here
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