When you fill out your federal income tax return you have an option to choose whether or not you want to support public financing of elections. Almost forty years ago, Republican President, Richard Nixon, resigned to avoid impeachment for his crimes surrounding the Watergate break-in involving campaign finance irregularities. Public financing of elections was established to help lessen the impact of dirty money influencing politics. The Republican party had decided that Americans do not deserve that freedom. Taxpayer dollars for candidates that are not funded by a huge corporate money machine, thanks to Citizens United, could interfere with Republican intent to establish one party rule.
The Republican-controlled U.S. House voted to eliminate public financing of presidential campaigns almost four decades after the Watergate scandal that led to its adoption.
Today’s 239-160 vote was primarily along party lines. Republicans said the U.S. can’t afford the program in an era of trillion-dollar budget deficits. The legislation would save $617 million over 10 years, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
“In times when government has no choice but to do more with less, voting to end the Presidential Election Campaign Fund should be a no-brainer,” said House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, a Virginia Republican, during debate.
Backers of the campaign finance laws, who include President Barack Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, said the solution is to amend the law rather than eliminate it.
“When enough money is provided, it works,” said Lisa Gilbert, deputy director of Public Citizen’s Congress Watch, an advocacy group that supports public financing of elections. “It makes no sense to do away with one of the few checks on corporate money and corrupting money that we’ve had in place over the years.”
Senate Bill
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, introduced the legislation in his chamber today. “In a time of exploding deficits and record debt, the last thing the American people want right now is to provide what amounts to welfare for politicians,” McConnell said in a statement.
The legislation is unlikely to advance in the Democratic- controlled Senate… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <Business Week>
Republicans say we cannot afford this, but they had no trouble busting the budget to provide billions in tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. Republicans prefer a world where criminal corporations control campaign finance, but the true solution is 100% public financing for federal campaigns. Without true campaign finance reform, we are doomed to have the worst government money has bought.
14 Responses to “Corporate Financed Elections Only?”
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It’s none of their damn business if a citizen who pays taxes wants to throw a buck or two towards that.
Sorry-I forgot we supposed to do it their way or get the “or else” like so many other have gotten.
Actually, Fly, we’re supposed to do it there way AND get the “or else”.
And to add salt to the wound, Mother Jones digs even deeper:
Source:
http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/01/republican-public-financing-cantor-corporation
Great link, Nameless! TYVM!!
Boner needs his head examined – God forbid his doesn’t get his corporate money!
To do so, hold a light nest to one of his ears. Look into the other to see the light. 😉
tactically smart and predictable and horribly wrong – like all Republican policy. I say tactically smart because they like to demagogue and use anecdotal evidence that easily sways those not paying close attention – sadly much of the electorate.
Good post TC.
There’s a word for that, my friend: Machiavellian. Thanks.
Everything is chrystal clear and transparent: Republics want government by, for, and of corporations.
At least for, Vig. They may want to keep the by and of for the Regime.
And here I thought Republicans entire (albeit limited span) attention was going to go towards JOB JOBS JOBS or is that just smoke for the masses huddled in doorways? All of them can blow me.
They are creating JOBS, JOBS, JOBS, all over Asia.
Bad solution. You don’t know where they’ve been.
It’s a “no brainer” all right, because ERIC CANTOR HAS NO BRAINS! It is no surprise that Mitch McConnell, corporatist plutocrat that he is, would immediately introduce this horrible monstrosity into the Senate. Thank God for a Democratic Senate!
If the leg hound doesn’t cave again.