After considerable thought,I have come to the conclusion that the only way for America to get back on the right track of cleaning up it’s image both here and abroad and to be responsible to it’s people is through totally clean taxpayer funded elections from the state level up.I suggest that the people running for office each get a set amount of money to run their campaign.That way all running have the same chance of succeeding.As we have seen in the past,the candidate with the most money usually wins,not necessarily the most qualified.Any candidate caught accepting outside finances or services not funded by the initial outlay of taxpayer funds will be terminated from running for office and would receive a mandatory ten year prison sentence.Same for those found to have abetted such activity.Once elected to office,all lobbying with any strings attached would be prohibited with the same prison time served as in the campaign period.The question that comes up next is “what about freedom of speech through lobbying”?To this I say,lobby all you want,but the lobbying had better not have a carrot with it.All people seeking office will do so with the full understanding that no special benefits come with the job.I.E.,no more extremely lucrative healthcare and pension for life.They’ll have to live their retirement on the social security,medicaid and medicare and the resources they’ve been able to save through the years.I’m thinking that if this is instituted,the social security and health issues will disappear within a decade.All of the pork barrel spending will almost cease to exist due to the fact that the elected have no contributors to show gratitude to.It’s way past time for this country to move forward.This country needs to seriously take the steps for the good of it’s people.