981. An idea whose time has come

The states have taken the lead in trying to remove the undeniable and often corrupting influence of campaign money. Arizona, Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Mexico and North Carolina all have passed legislation on some form of Clean Money campaigns. My own California and other states are on the way.

But these laws only cover state, and possibly local, elections.

I just learned today about a campaign headed up by some very high powered folks to enact meaningful public financing of federal elections. $6 per person per year is what it'll cost. That's it. Full public funding of all federal elections.

Isn't this an idea whose time has come?

From Americans For Campaign Reform (ACR) just6dollars.org:

Congress would only have to spend $6 per citizen per year to publicly fund each and every election for the House, the Senate and the White House. When you consider that "pork barrel" projects cost every one of us more than $200 last year alone, it’s no contest.

Think of it. With public funding, wealthy special interests and their hired lobbyists would no longer have a commanding influence over our politics and government. Instead of begging for campaign donations, candidates would spend their time communicating with voters. Once elected, our leaders would be free to focus on our nation's challenges rather than having to worry about financing their next campaign. And there's no doubt that more of our most able leaders would run for federal office when the ability to finance a campaign isn't such a daunting obstacle.

Americans for Campaign Reform is building a nonpartisan grassroots movement of citizens who support voluntary public funding and want Congress to act now. We can make this happen. Public funding is already working in Arizona and Maine, and was just passed by the Connecticut legislature.

As citizens we can complain about the corrosive influence of our election finance system, or we can do something about it. With your help, we can mobilize citizens across the country and put pressure on Congress to enact real reform.

ACR Honorary Chairs,

Former U.S. Senators Bill Bradley (D, NJ), Bob Kerrey (D, NE), Warren Rudman (R, NH), Alan Simpson (R, WY)