04/03/07: Full Public Financing Is Needed - For Democracy
Full Public Financing Is Needed - For Democracy
The Capital Times :: EDITORIAL :: A6
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
JACK E. LOHMAN
It was heartening to hear that government reform is now a major priority of Republicans in the Legislature. I'd have preferred this show of responsibility when they were in control, but if they are now sincere and not just playing political games, it's a welcome sign. Let's see if they really mean it.
This is an extremely serious matter.
It's not just that money in politics results in the transfer of taxpayer assets to the special interests that fund the elections. Nor is it that political money is creating the greatest spread of wealth ownership and inequality in America since the days of the robber barons. These are bad enough.
Far worse is that it is destroying our democracy by transferring power from the voters to a select few wealthy interests. That's a plutocracy, and when it reaches maturity it will destroy our society and create anarchy. Perhaps not in my lifetime or yours, but soon enough.
Our grandchildren will pay a heavy price for today's political corruption, and it won't be just paying off the enormous debt we are creating.
So for the politicians willing to take on this vitally important political change, good for you. For some it is not going to be easy switching gears, from being the problem to becoming part of the solution, but no one knows the system better than the current crop of Republicans and Democrats, both of whom have had their fingers in the money trough.
Those who are really serious should start by supporting the clean-money election bill by Sen. Fred Risser and Rep. Mark Pocan. This bill provides full public funding of statewide campaigns, all at a cost of less than $5 per taxpayer per year. It's an opt-in, to pass constitutional muster, so those candidates who don't want to participate don't have to. And you can still give money to any politician willing to take it.
The argument that the state should not use taxpayer money for political campaigns is hogwash, and the politicians know it. We already have public funding of campaigns, it's just through the back door and at hundreds of times more than if we funded them honestly and upfront. Nor can we argue that money shouldn't be used for candidates we don't agree with, because that too is happening every day through the same back door.
We're talking about funding a political system, just like funding the roads I don't use or the fire department I don't call. We're funding something even more important: our democracy.
Looking at the trade-offs, today's system is costing about $1,300 per taxpayer in political giveaways to the special interests that currently fund the elections. Even if it were one-tenth that, a $5 taxpayer investment is a major bargain. And it doesn't even have to be funded by taxes. Arizona adds a surcharge to criminal fines, so if you don't want to contribute, don't speed.
This excellent system won voter approval in Arizona and Maine, and it has been working beautifully for years. So beautifully, in fact, that the special interests want the laws reversed. They failed in the Arizona courts so they are now trying new voter initiatives. They don't like being on the outside looking in, and they want those doors reopened.
Wisconsin voters saw in 2006 that we have the power to throw out of office those politicians who are unwilling to represent the people. In the 2008 elections, as more voters recognize that even their own politician is blocking critical government reform, even more heads will roll.
But politicians should not be worrying about their jobs, for those are replaceable. They should instead be worrying about our democracy, for it is that which they are selling to the highest bidder.