Replacing Ballots With Laws
Bradley Smith points out that many state election laws seem to have less to do with protecting citizens' rights to free and fair elections than they do with reducing voter choice and power.
The best example of this phenomenon -- which Smith doesn't mention -- is, of course, campaign finance reform. Can anyone really imagine that the Founding Fathers would have condoned a law that prevents citizens from spending money to criticize their elected officials for sixty days before an election (which, conveniently for the politicians, is the time that most normal people tend to be paying attention)?
Obviously, campaign finance reform and other election laws often are doing more to protect the interests of the political class than those for whom they're supposed to be working: The voters. Funny -- the political establishment is the one "special interest" that campaign reform proponent John McCain doesn't seem to oppose.
The best example of this phenomenon -- which Smith doesn't mention -- is, of course, campaign finance reform. Can anyone really imagine that the Founding Fathers would have condoned a law that prevents citizens from spending money to criticize their elected officials for sixty days before an election (which, conveniently for the politicians, is the time that most normal people tend to be paying attention)?
Obviously, campaign finance reform and other election laws often are doing more to protect the interests of the political class than those for whom they're supposed to be working: The voters. Funny -- the political establishment is the one "special interest" that campaign reform proponent John McCain doesn't seem to oppose.
posted by LadybugUSA at 10:20 AM
1 Comments:
It's hard to get around this particular initiative of McCain's regarding candidate selection. The thinking that went into drafting this Act leaves a little to be desired. I recall him stating that a problem in our system is the money. That's really pretty stupid. The problem is greedy or corrupt politicians who are drawn to performing for the dough. We need to eliminate them rather than the money people donate to support the cause or message they prefer and the politicians who'll work toward them.
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