Campaigns too Costly

The Collegian (Fresno State University)
October 15, 2010
By Susan Renfro

The cost of campaigns in America has gone overboard. There is no feasible way anyone who isn’t wealthy or willing to play puppet to large corporations and unions is able to run for public office. The skyrocketing price of campaigns has forced minority parties out and moneymakers in. Do these moneymakers have our best interest in mind or do they want to hold public office as a form of income? The answer to this problem is The Fair Elections Now Act.

The Fair Elections Now Act is a Bill that has passed through committee in the House, and is ready for the full House vote during the lame duck session before January. The bill will allow federal candidates to choose to run for office without relying on financial contributions from businesses, money bundlers or lobbyists. Candidates can choose the traditional way or follow the bill and get funded 4 to 1 with the highest allowed individual contributions of $100.

Today, Meg Whitman has raised $109,932,834 with $91,055,806 coming from “Candidate Contributions” (followthemoney.org). These numbers prove a trend in modern American Democracy that on paper looks like an elitist society with only those who have the financial backing being able to run and hold public office.

Call Jim Costa and ask him to co-sponsor the Fair Elections Now Act! 559-495-1620