Stop the Political Madness
I just put the paper down and feel impressed to write this little article. I was reading the Editorial Page and seeing where the Independent Party is pulling its support for Robinson over his ads and putting support behind Defazio. I think Robinson has gone too far with his commercials but so has Defazio. What a joke. This move by the Independent part shows that a party is a party is a party.
Then another writer complains about campaign spending by saying the candidates he doesn’t like are overspending. Here’s a little newsflash.
THEY ARE ALL OVERSPENDING.
So, in my perfect world this is what we should do.
1) Put a cap on campaign spending. I know the Supreme Court says it’s unconstitutional but remember this is my perfect world.
I saw a report on CNN that said candidates in this country spent 2 billion dollars on elections this year, that’s criminal.
When I ran for Secretary of State my opponent and I spent close to 2.3 Million Dollars on that race. What we should do is limit state races to $500,000 each. You raise it, spend it and use it as an example of how you will spend taxpayers’ money when you are elected.
2) Open the primary in Oregon. I know the parties hate this idea but I don’t care. Why should all taxpayers pay for a process they can’t participate in? If non-affiliated or minor party candidates can’t vote in a primary, they shouldn’t have to pay for it. If we want to keep the primary let the two major parties fork out the money to pay for it.
3) Move the Primary to September, like they do in Washington DC. That way you cut the election season back and candidates won’t need to spend as much.
4) Limit what unions and big corporations can give to a campaign or candidate. Put a cap on that amount and if union members want to donate to a campaign let them do that on their own. There’s too much involvement by both groups (at the top level) in politics. Their employee’s and members should be able to give what they want but as organizations, they’ve gained too much control and that’s just wrong.
I’m sure I’ll think of other ideas, as will you, I hope.
I don’t write stuff like this very often because there are people out there who will save this and try to use it to attack me in the future. That’s how politics work in our country. But I’m so sick of the B.S. and tired of people using Public Relations and fear to get us to do what they want that I simply don’t care.
Oh, and I may change my mind on all of this if someone has a better answer or if I learn something new.
That doesn’t mean I’m fickle it simply means I’m alive.
The system hates that too.
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I like your ideas, but I prefer George Washington’s advice in his farewell address that included two things that I believe have been the downfall of this country.
1. Neutrality in foreign affairs.
2. No establishment of political parties.
Spending caps hurt challengers and help incumbents. So, aside from the unconstitutionality of the idea, there is a practical reason it is bad as well. Incumbents can use their office to build higher name ID. Paid media is the best way for a challenger to try and make that up.
I like number 2 a lot.
The problem with people is we take parties, clubs, churches and even PTA and make the organization into the reason and forget about the people or the original idea behind them.
I disagree Kevin. I think incumbants also have an easier time raising money at least tha( what I saw in my race. Not true in the Dudley campaign but he also has big name I Dm
I have to agree with you. I think those are reasonable and sensible ideas. I feel campaigning has turned into a “Pissing Match”. It’s more about who has the most money and who can raise more money. Like that’s supposed to be an indication who I should vote for just based off of money count. I think you would find out quickly who wants to be in a race. I think it would help bring back “beating the path” and “knocking on doors” type style of politics. I can’t recall the last time I actually saw a candidate on my front door asking for my vote or listening to my concerns. This is where a great deal of candidates has lost touch with the voters. Thanks Rick for bringing this up.
DP