Summary
U.S. political campaign reform
The 1998 midterm elections showed that the populace has lost interest in politics and that the politician with most money tends to win. Of 401 Congressmen who sought re-election, 98.3% won and they spent on average 5 times the amount of money than their challengers. There are various possible solutions, including campaign finance reform and a change in the political culture.See the full content of this document
Extract
Campaign Reform: A Way Forward.
Close the loopholes, provide free air time, and fire the consultants
Throughout the impeachment debate this winter, members of Congress kept paying homage to the "sanctity" and the "solemnity" of elections. As an affirmation of constitutional scripture, their words were apt. As an argument against removing a president, they were powerful. But as a portrait of modern politics, they were hooey. Elections have lost their pride of place at the center of our democratic life. They are bloated with money, stale with ads, devoid of citizens and impervious to change. No one knows this better--or profits from it more--than members of Congress. Consider the 1998 mid-term elections. They set all sorts of the wrong kind of records, among them: A record for non-competitiveness. Of the 401 members of the House who sought reelection last fall, a record 98.3 percent won. They outspent their challengers by an average ratio of five to one, and they piled up an average victory margin of 43 percentage...See the full content of this document
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