Utopian Campaign Reform
 

Got into an interesting discussion last night, and we were each coming up with ideas for campaign reform. Most of them will never happen, because the politicians would have to vote on them, and heaven knows, that will never happen!

This came out of hearing that both of the Democratic candidates are thought to be budgeting about $40-45 MILLION dollars each on just Pennsylvania, and most of us (R & D) found that obscene. The first utopian reform we'd like to see is that every candidate would have to donate an equal amount to a NON-political charity as they spend on their campaign. Just think of the amount of money that would have channeled into positive change! Yes, we know it won't happen, but that's the gist of the Utopian Reform.

So, what would you suggest?

I'd like to see a dollar donated to pay down the national debt for each dollar spent on
campaigns. Won't happen ... but wow think of the surplus there would eventually be.

I would like to see campaigning restricted until 6 months prior to the election (I believe this is the time frame in England). Personally, if sitting Senators or Congressmen (or any politician!) are out campaigning for the possible next job two years out they sure are not doing the job they were 'hired' to do during that time frame!

I also like the idea of having to give dollar for dollar to charity or the national debt. And if it creates a surplus in the budget, that cannot be used to give politicians pay raises!

This would solve so many problems. If we followed this plan, we might just own our country again!

Since this is utopian... each candidate creates a website with their personal beliefs on every issue and a description of their experience and every american reads over everything and makes a decision based on which cnadidate is best for them. No campaign money needed.

Publicly financed elections, no soft money, no PAC ads.