Campaign Finance Reform and the Necessity of Democracy Essay

Campaign Finance Reform and the Necessity of Democracy One of the major notions of the American system of government is that it is a government by the people, for the people. The system is supposed to take into account the opinions and desires off all those who fall under its jurisdiction. This is said to be accomplished by a representative democracy, where citizens elect one of there own to speak for the group (Hastings, 04). Therefore, it is reasonable to infer that any eligible man or woman, under constitutional mandate, should be able to run for and win any office in the American government with no unfair advantages given to one candidate over another. This ideal still exists, but in today ¡Ã‚ ¦s modern society, only in†¦show more content†¦Presidential candidates who agree to abide by spending limits qualify for matching funds during the primary season, and primary winners are given funds for their general campaigns. For Example, in 1996 the Dole and Clinton campaigns each received $37 million in primary matching funds and roughly $62 million for their fall campaigns. It is the  ¡Ã‚ §soft money ¡Ã‚ ¨ that is causing a bulk of the controversy. According to Common Cause Magazine, Republican national organizations raised $75,853,472 while Democratic parties took in $65,126,376 in soft money from January 1995 through June 1996. The total for the 1996 election cycle could reach $250 million, three times more than in 1992. Its illegal to spend soft money in support of any particular federal candidate. In practice, though, the lines between party building and candidate promotion have blurred. Along with the rise of soft money, there has been a proliferation of political action committees (PACs). Under current law, PACs (which are basically an association of people with similar interests) are permitted to contribute $5,000 per federal candidate per election. Critics say incumbents, uniquely situated to raise PAC funds in Washington, derive an unfair advantage over challengers. While there is bipartisan agreement that soft money is used in ways that mock the law, and that PACs benefit incumbents, there is sharp disagreement over what reforms areShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Lonely Death of Public Campaign Financing1184 Words   |  5 PagesMarquette University’s Assistant Professor of Law, Richard Esenberg, is doubtful of the effectiveness of a project that will restructure campaign finance. He foresees the near impossibility of the passage of a bill, along with many drawbacks in similar attempts to miraculously restore democracy to American citizens. Although this is a greatly debated and doubtful topic, there is still hope in the power of the people. While there may be instances where wealthy donors provide a better democratic electionRead MoreEssay On Campaign Finance1196 Words   |  5 PagesThe Necessity of Campaign Finance The right of free speech granted to all citizens in the first amendment, the necessity of funding expensive political campaigns, and the fact that small donations make a candidate responsive to the needs of their constituents, all make any restrictions on campaign financing unneeded and onerous. Congress should strike down any bills attempting to reform this essential part of the U.S. election process. Any further restrictions on donations to political campaignsRead MoreDemocracy In America1589 Words   |  7 Pages Virginia was pried on its honest government in the days of Byrd machine. It was describes as museum of democracy where the government reflected nothing according to the will of the public. The basic structure was not equal for urban residents, women, minorities and the Republicans. The power and authority was in the hands of few white men. The right to vote for electing the members of General assembly was established in 1619 but only to those, which had a certain amount of property. Black men wereRead MoreEssay about Campaign Finance Reform2666 Words   |  11 PagesCampaign finance reform has a broad history in America. In particular, campaign finance has developed extensively in the past forty years, as the courts have attempted to create federal elections that best sustain the ideals of a representative democracy. In the most recent Supreme Court decision concerning campaign finance, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the Court essentially decided to treat corporations like individuals by allowing corporations to spend money on federal electionsRead MoreCorporate Influence on Our Political System2508 Words   |  11 Pagesrevolutionary principles from our founding Fathers. These principles state that self-governance is an absolute right and the governments purpose is to serve the interests of the peo ple. Characteristics which are essential to a healthy, functioning democracy. But America has stumbled upon a formidable roadblock to the realization of our founding fathers dream, as Lincoln said, of a country that is of the people, by the people and for the people( Citizens at Work, 2003). There are many factors thatRead MoreThe Destruction Of Our Democracy2328 Words   |  10 PagesThe Destruction of Our Democracy â€Å"All contributions by corporations to any political committee or for any political purpose should be forbidden by law†. This quote from Theodore Roosevelt illustrates how corporate money can be disastrous when entangled in elections. Unfortunately, the United States continues to grant large corporations the ability to donate to campaigns, leading to a corrupt campaign system. The Supreme Court decided in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission that companiesRead MoreThe Problem Of Prison Facilities Essay1362 Words   |  6 Pagesfollow the restrictions and demands of probation and parole. With more and more inmates imprisoned each year, American citizens have to put more money to taxes to support the systems and and inmates within. Campaigns have been made to lessen sentencing for non-violent offenders and campaigns have been made to decriminalize weed as it would keep such drug offenders away from doing time. As I am in full support of such ideas, I intend to set up a couple new plans that can help benefit inmates and societyRead MoreCampaign Contributions Of The Federal Election Campaign Act2255 Words   |  10 PagesCampaign contributions destroy the marketplace by expelling the views of average citizens in exchange for the views of corporate donors that don’t have the opportunity to have their views scrutinized by the public. Their views are safe from criticism because they are able to shield their views through backdoor talks with candidates. According Samuel Issacharoff, a professor of Constitutional Law at the New York University of Law, in reference to political corruption, â€Å"the source of corruption wasRead MoreThe s Favorite Flea Markets2772 Words   |  12 Pagesanticipating the next â€Å"break the internet† phenomenon, with the â€Å"announcement of the century†: Hillary Clinton is running for President in 2016. â€Å"I want to be the champion of everyday Americans,† she boasts alongside smili ng actors in her premiere campaign video. Everyday Americans do not know, however, that Goldman Sachs bank, a major player in the past devastating economic collapse that forced many middle class families into sudden poverty, is her campaign’s second biggest donor, and she has alignedRead MoreThe s Favorite Flea Markets2772 Words   |  12 Pagesanticipating the next â€Å"break the internet† phenomenon, with the â€Å"announcement of the century†: Hillary Clinton is running for President in 2016. â€Å"I want to be the champion of everyday Americans,† she boasts alongside smiling actors in her premiere campaign video. Everyday Americans do not know, however, that Goldman Sachs bank, a major player in the past devastating economic collapse that forced many middle class families into sudden poverty, is her campaign’s second biggest donor, and she has aligned