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Is "Campaign Finance Reform" working?


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Posted

I always thought that McKain-Feingold was bullshit, but that's my opinion. With all these "527" ads cropping up funded by various offshoots of the major lobbying players, is the CFRA working? Groups have found ways around it, more money is being spent checking and re-checking disclosure statements, etc. It seems like it's just made free political speech more expensive. I don't see how it's stopped the supposed corruption or "financial influence" it was purported to correct. Any thoughts?

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Posted

If they couldn't place ads on TV, there would be much less need for all the fundraising and behind closed door handshaking to develop their huge campaign war chests. Seems like many of the problems in politics would be curtailed just by eliminating advertising.

Posted
Seems like many of the problems in politics would be curtailed just by eliminating advertising.

 

Examples, please. I'm for unfettered fundraising and full disclosure. Why not? It seems like there's more of a furor now. How else to voter groups get their messages out other than advertising? The CFRA didn't impact the politicians as much as it impacted voter groups who endorse certain candidates; groups like the Sierra Club, AARP, NRA, UAW, etc. Why shouldn't these groups be able to buy advertising time to put their endorsements out there on behalf of the people they represent?

Posted
Examples, please. I'm for unfettered fundraising and full disclosure. Why not? It seems like there's more of a furor now. How else to voter groups get their messages out other than advertising?

"Full Disclosure" is merely another loophole for groups to slip through. As an example I give Dave's company $1 million on the condition he use it to buy advertising in the Presidential Campaign. Since it's now Dave's money, he's disclosed as the purchaser. Not exactly right to my mind.

Posted
I think the govt should require the networks provide equal, free access to political campaign message spots for each candidate allowed on the ballot.

They do (at least on PBS) It caused quite a stink last election - people didn't like adds interrupting Morning Edition yelrotflmao.gif

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