Campaign Funding

A successful election campaign depends on communication, and communication costs money. However, it is believed by some that money has the potential to corrupt a candidate, to drive him or her to serve their own interests or the interests of their campaign donors rather than the public good. In the 2004 U.S. presidential election, George W. Bush and John Kerry raised nearly half a billion dollars in private funding in their bids to win the White House. 

Recent history tells us that the magnitude of big donors' campaign spending rises as their commitment to the public interest shrinks. Mercury Insurance and its founder and chairman, George Joseph, spent a combined $31 million in 2010 and 2012  to pass two almost identical ballot initiatives to remake state auto insurance rules in Mercury's favor and to the public's disadvantage. The spending was so conspicuous that voters recoiled, rejecting both measures.

Big business and political campaigns have become closer in recent history and is driving politicians to appeal to big business and not the public they are meant to serve. With increased funding from corporations it has created corrupt policies and biased voting practices on the part of elected officials. 

Reform is needed and it is needed now!

Take a look at recent articles on the subject

Campaign Reform