The McCain-Feingold Bill Is the campaign finance system an important issue or just another made up problem. Well, it is an important issue and must be dealt with. Many groups have tried to set up proposals to alleviate the increase spending on campaigns. The latest shot was introduced by Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, and Senator Russell D. Feingold, Democrat of Wisconsin called the McCain-Feingold Bill. This bill was oriented to stop the influences of money in politics. The bill was focusing on banning “soft money” which is the unregulated and unlimited donations which are given by private investors and persons to the different political parties. The intention is a good one, one that would help the common man run for office not having the millions of dollars needed for running. These campaign finance advocates have been awaiting a surge of public demand for change for quite some time but with no avail. A poll was taken on October 8-10 of 976 adults, 60 percent said overhauling campaign finance law should be a low priority or not a priority at all, while 39 percent rated the issue as either a high priority or the most important issue before congers (Doherty, 2507). This clearly expresses that the public is not outcrying for reform. As the cliché goes, money also is the “mother’s milk of politics”, shows the heavy involvement of money as a deciding factor in politics. This is a view by many who support the McCain-Feingold Bill. McCain said that he introduced this bill because he believes “the system is broken” and “the influence of money in politics inordinately affects legislation.” This again brings us back to the cliché that money is the “mothers milk of politics.” ... ... middle of paper ... ...deals, morals and future plans for this great nation? I get they will have to be put to the side. This to me is a problem. And action taken by those such as McCain and Feingold are important, but we as the public must help these “crusaders” in their efforts. How do we help them? Well as citizens, we must vote for those who advocate for these stands and in that maybe we will get some where. In that, the power resides in us. Bibliography: Berlau, John. Spending Limits A Good Idea Whose Time May Not Come. Insight on the News.; March 10, 1997. v13 n9 p16(2) Doherty, Carol J. Campaign Finance Crusaders Regroup After Latest Defeat. Congressional Quarterly.;October 23,1999. v57 n28 p2507(9) Mitchell, Allison. McCain-Feingold Bill Is “Dead For the Year,” Senator Lott Says. New York Times.; October 19,1999. pA1
A political party is a group of people who seek to win elections and hold public office in order to shape government policy and programs. George Washington warned the nation against creating political parties in his famous “Farewell Address”. He feared political parties would divide the country and weaken support for the Constitution (Doc 4). The first major political parties, the Federalists and the Republicans, were created during the term of President George Washington. Despite President Washington’s warning, the rise of the two political parties, in the years after his term, was inevitable.
credible candidates. It may still be possible to engage in democracy in a meaningful way;
As a majority, we do not act; we are complacent. We do not take a stand; we fear failure and humiliation. We do not lead; we follow. Society has increasingly grown passive, tired, and complacent. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s idea of the "appalling silence of the good people" is as poignant today as it was in the 1960s.
PR, N. (2011, January 18). ACLJ: More Than 70,000 Americans Urge Congress to Appeal Obamacare. PR Newswire US.
Campaign finance reform has a broad history in America. In particular, campaign finance has developed extensively in the past forty years, as the courts have attempted to create federal elections that best sustain the ideals of a representative democracy. In the most recent Supreme Court decision concerning campaign finance, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the Court essentially decided to treat corporations like individuals by allowing corporations to spend money on federal elections through unlimited independent expenditures. In order to understand how the Supreme Court justified this decision, however, the history of campaign finance in regards to individuals must be examined. At the crux of these campaign finance laws is the balancing of two democratic ideals: the ability of individuals to exercise their right to free speech, and the avoidance of corrupt practices by contributors and candidates. An examination of these ideals, as well as the effectiveness of the current campaign finance system in upholding these ideas, will provide a basic framework for the decision of Citizens United v. FEC.
this issue that has the potential to pulverise this country is why it is such a
The issue of campaign financing has been discussed for a long time. Running for office especially a higher office is not a cheap event. Candidates must spend much for hiring staff, renting office space, buying ads etc. Where does the money come from? It cannot officially come from corporations or national banks because that has been forbidden since 1907 by Congress. So if the candidate is not extremely rich himself the funding must come from donations from individuals, party committees, and PACs. PACs are political action committees, which raise funds from different sources and can be set up by corporations, labor unions or other organizations. In 1974, the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) requires full disclosure of any federal campaign contributions and expenditures and limits contributions to all federal candidates and political committees influencing federal elections. In 1976 the case Buckley v. Valeo upheld the contribution limits as a measure against bribery. But the Court did not rule against limits on independent expenditures, support which is not coordinated with the candidate. In the newest development, the McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission ruling from April 2014 the supreme court struck down the aggregate limits on the amount an individual may contribute during a two-year period to all federal candidates, parties and political action committees combined. Striking down the restrictions on campaign funding creates a shift in influence and power in politics and therefore endangers democracy. Unlimited campaign funding increases the influence of few rich people on election and politics. On the other side it diminishes the influence of the majority, ordinary (poor) people, the people.
The heart of the problem needs to be addressed in order to resolve the issue and that
After about twelve years of the DREAM Act floating around in congress, many people on both sides of the issue are unsure of what will happen. For some, the fact that it has been around for long without much progress means that the DREAM Act will not pass. On the other side of this issue, the dreamers, continue fighting to keep the DREAM Act alive, so that all the immigrant students can continue to post secondary education, and not have to stop their education at the end of 12th grade. These young immigrants were brought here when they were younger and have lived in the United States most of their life. They are known as dreamers because many of them cannot continue their education due to the barriers placed on them because of their undocumented status. Those who wish to continue to a post secondary education have to pay higher out-of-state tuition rates. The passing of the DREAM Act will provide a path to legalization for educated and dedicated individuals who will continue to contribute a lot to the U.S. economy and in many other ways. The majority of undocumented students were brought to the U.S. when they were small children, and they “should be allowed to have the chance to stay in the country call home” (Bennion).
Money is the main source of power in the world, but in ways it can be viewed as good or bad depending on the situation. It has a negative connotation when mentioned by the word “acts”. “ Acts” means to perform a fictional role. Which shows that most things involving money are fake. Though humans associate being fake with being morally wrong,but its somehow acceptable if there is a greater power involved. Another definition for acts is to take action;do something. In this case to take an action can be either good or bad. There are many ways to come across money, but nobody cares if it is good or bad because it deals with a greater power.
important problem. This problem must be focused on and dealt with or the world is going
The New York Times. The competitive political campaign calls for a lot of money in the United States. Wealth is a requirement to enter into the campaign. Donald Trump was used as an example because his wealth, influence other interest. Which made the voters wonder if they should take in consideration the politician’s personal bankroll to see how they would lead. Wealth plays a big part mostly in personality Hillary Clinton was used as an example. Her and her husband have taken money from wall street the question can she represent the interests of the working class was asked. But the real question is can money predict where the leaders views on policy. The Republicans support lowering taxes and reducing business regulations for the rich. The wealthy Democrats lawmakers agreed with the republican, but the poorer lawmakers supported raising the minimum wage or forgiving student debt. “Wealth also makes the rich feel, reason, choose, and perceive differently from the less privileged” the research
change has to come immediately, however there are too many people in power that are simply
... before power shares a symbiotic relationship with money. When money can be used to bring power, afterwards power’s used to bring in more money. That’s why corrupt politicians are rich and powerful. It is one’s duty of high regard to see that power must be used to the benefit of people rather than using it for self-benefits, as it is the people who give you power and are equally capable of taking it away.
“Money is number and numbers never end if it takes money to be happy your search for happiness will never end.” (Bob Marley). For the majority of people in our modern-capitalist world, money is the first thing, and sometimes the only thing that measures success in life. Money can buy power. Money can buy fame. Money can buy time. Sometimes money can even buy a life. So money has become the first common goal for everybody. There are many different perspectives, and how people view the world, in terms of success, and money. Money is not the root of all evil, but the love of money is the root of all evil.