Have you noticed how many people are talking about money in politics? Just yesterday, I heard Diane Rehm discussing the issue with her guests. They framed money in politics as a central facet in a widespread loss of confidence in […]
Campaign Finance Reform
Let’s Have Publicly Funded Elections
Susan Cantrell Holloway writes: Kudos to Willa in Garland for her astute letter to the editor this week: “A Tax on Politics– President Barack Obama proposes a 28 percent corporate tax rate. I’ll support a reduction in corporate taxes if […]
A Democracy in Name Only
A headline caught my eye this morning: “Gay Marriage, Passed, Awaits Christie’s Veto”. Yes, this is happening in New Jersey, not Texas. But the same scenario repeats itself daily all over the country. New Jersey state legislators’ votes reflect the […]
When Talking About Campaign Finance Reform
When talking about campaign finance reform, some people get concerned when the phrase, “public funding” gets brought up. After all, they say, we need to be about saving, not spending. The current political climate is fraught with federal or state […]
Colbert and Campaign Finance
At the end of June, the Federal Election Commission voted 5-1 to allow Stephen Colbert to move forward with the creation of his Super PAC. Through this PAC, Colbert will be able to raise and spend unlimited funds on the […]
Deciphering McComish v. Bennett
On June 27, 2011 the Supreme Court issued rulings in McComish v. Bennett and Arizona Free Enterprise v. Bennett. A narrow 5-4 majority held that the Arizona system of public finance contravenes the First Amendment. The Arizona law allows candidates […]