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The money comes from two sources. They are donations for the individual campaign as well as donations to the individual parties.

The rules call for disclosing individual campaign funding for the candidates. However, the parties money [sometimes called Political Action Committee (P.A.C.)] may be spent without guidelines. Often, negative ads or "issue" type ads are used which don't "directly" contribute to the candidates campaign.

I've tried to explain campaign financing as best I can so therefore you can understand why it should be reformed.

In its present state the elections have turned into "Who ever has the most money wins" or "Who ever pays the media the most wins". This is not democratic and puts too much power in the hands of the wealthy.

There has been talk for many years about Campaign Finance Reform. How it should be done is always the sticky point. (The Devil is in the details)

Recently, it was again rejected by the legislative arm of our government. (Congress) This arm is divided into two parts, the House and the Senate.

In consecutive years the bill has:

1. Passed the House, failed the Senate (2000)

2. Passed the Senate, failed the House (2001)

Now, I know there are details which cause these problems but it seems the " Legislative Arm" or "Congress " is just placating the voters by acting like they want reform when in reality they are fearful that the cutting of these campaign funds will affect their ability to get re-elected.

In other words, they are less fearful of voter backlash from not doing anything to change Campaign Financing than they are of actually competing on a level field with candidates which are not incumbents.

To summarize then,

Campaign Finance Reform will not take place until people (voters) start to vote out incumbents who refuse to change the system.

In 1992, I bought a T-Shirt in Vermont which said

"I've got what it takes to take what you've got "

( with a picture of Uncle Sam)

and under that

- RE-ELECT NO-ONE IN 1992 -

All you've got to do is change the years.

Get the word out

Miami Cracker

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