Taking the Lead on Election Reform
Posted by on February 7, 2006 at 01:17 PM
It's one thing to constantly harp on unethical Republicans, and we should continue to shine the light and let all the roaches scatter where they may. But actions speak louder than words, and the Democratic National Committee is taking the lead on the reforms necessary to restore trust in government. From the Associated Press:
In an effort to get the "dirty money out of politics," the Democratic National Committee will ask the U.S. Supreme Court this month to allow states to limit how much is spent on campaigns.
Howard Dean, the chairman of the Democratic Party, announced Monday that the party will file a friend of the court brief with the Supreme Court in support of Vermont's 1997 campaign finance law.
"I feel very, very strongly that the Democratic Party, in this era of this Republican culture of corruption, has to walk the walk and not just talk the talk," said Dean.
"The Democratic Party of the United States has an opportunity to actually do something," said Dean. "I thought it would be hypocritical to be pilloring the Republican Party for their corruption when this opportunity was coming before the Supreme Court."
In 1997, Governor Dean signed a bill into Vermont law that placed limits on individual and political action committee contribution totals, and implements spending caps on campaigns during an election cycle.
The law was contested and a federal appeals court upheld it, for the most part. Now the case is slated to come before the Supreme Court with oral arguments beginning on February 28, 2006.
Comments (13) «
I'm actually first? That's amazing! Anyway, it's being proven time and again that Democrats are taking the lead on this issue regardless of posturing on the other side of the aisle. The petty and childish letter from Senator McCain to Senator Obama is just another example. The Democratic leadership on Capitol Hill and in DNC headquarters is now beginning to show America that Democrats are the only ones who are truly committed to returning political power back where it belongs: in the hands of the American people.
I'm actually first? That's amazing! Anyway, it's being proven time and again that Democrats are taking the lead on this issue regardless of posturing on the other side of the aisle. The petty and childish letter from Senator McCain to Senator Obama is just another example. The Democratic leadership on Capitol Hill and in DNC headquarters is now beginning to show America that Democrats are the only ones who are truly committed to returning political power back where it belongs: in the hands of the American people.
Sorry for the double post. I had a computer glitch.
As usual, Howard is right: By filing an amicus brief, the part will be doing more than just talking about campaign finance reform.
I hope, if successful, Vermont's law will be a watershed for a national campaign finance reform law.
I'm starting to get this gut feeling that something is happening here. For months and months, people who visit and post on this blog have been upset due to the lack of response and leadership our party is suppose to provide.
It has just dawned on me. We are picking our fights where they are the weakest! It's happening folks...little by little Dean and company are going to come through....just give it some time and it's going to happen!
Every hair on my bod is standing up right now...
That's a big step, but only half the battle. The other half is de-privatizing the election system--especially voting machine production, maintenance and operation.
1) Propose a constitutional amendment prohibiting contributions to political campaigns, at local, state and federal levels, by any entity other than an individual. No corporate contributions, no contributions by PACS, by unions, by advocacy groups.
2) Limit, by statute, contributions by individuals to individual candidates to $5,000 per year.
3) Limit, by statute, contributions by individuals to political party committees to $25,000 per person per year.
4) Prohibit, by statute, transfers of unused contributions made to one campaign for office to another campaign for another office by the same individual (Yes, Hillary, you can stop sending me urgent pleas for me to support you in your see-saw battle for Senate against - who is it...Bart Simpson?) Unused campaign dollars should go directly to the US Treasury.
5) Prohibit, by statute, electronic voting of any kind. We get our hamburgers in 20 seconds - we don't need to know who our elected office winners are within 20 minutes of the close of the polls.
6) Endorse, as a party, instant runoff balloting in all campaigns.
If corporate money and PAC money stays in our system, any talk of election reform is a waste of time, and is nothing more than cheap political theater.
Hooray for Dean and all Dems!
We need more INITIATIVES like this!!!!!
Let's keep it coming... next up REAL EDUCATION proposals and REAL HEALTHCARE proposals...
Even more needed: A REAL PLAN STOP TERRORISM (i.e. not just poking a stick in the hornets nest... let's talk about stopping the causes of terrorism).
Not only do we need those initiatives, but we need to get out and tell the people that this is just another issue that shows Democrats are the real party of American values. We support ending corruption among elected officials, not the Republicans. We support health care for all Americans, not the Republicans. We support caring for the environment, God's greatest gift to all mankind, not the Republicans. We support getting our nation away from foreign oil and supporting sustainable energy, not the Republicans. We support ending discrimination, not the Republicans. This is the beginning of a better tomorrow and we are moving forward, together and united, toward that bright new day.
Posted by JSCram on February 7, 2006 at 03:37 PM
....not to mention the fact that Democrats are the only people who can come up with a creditable strategy to end terrorism by stopping its causes.... republicans only know how to swat at terrorists, further inflaming them and making them more dangerous.
Put Democrats in charge, and we'll address the causes of terrorism at ALL levels, not just on the surface.
With Dems in charge, we won't need to be at war in Iraq for twenty or more years!
MANDATORY PUBLIC FINANCING OF POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS
... we also need to make sure the voting machines are fuctional and correct! Go Dems!
Once again I am so PROUD 2B BLUE and I support Gov Dean in his efforts!! His consistent work to make the Dem Party stronger and closer to the will of the people is one of the main reasons the Reps fought so hard to keep him from becoming the DNC Chairman. Remember all their hateful personal remarks and accusations?
We knew the real reasons they were doing it and we were even more certain that Gov Dean was the right person for the job. He has always proven our trust in him was right-on!!
Give 'em hell Howard!!
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