The Issues, No. 2 - Contributions

Congressmen have to run for office every two years, Senators every six years. To run an effective election campaign requires a lot of money. Congressmen and Senators spend large amounts of time in fund raising activities. They even organize fund raising events and issue invitations to potential contributors with offers of different levels of access to themselves depending upon how large the contribution. Because of their two year terms, Congressmen are almost constantly involved in these activities, so much so that it interferes with their lawmaking responsibilities.

When you think about it, the whole business of campaign contributions is pretty ugly. If it's not legalized bribery, it's the next thing to it. It has a huge effect on how Congressman or Senators act and interferes with their ability to exercise their own judgment and approach issues with an open mind. And, the contribution business is out of control to the point that our Congress is being run by the special interest groups and for the special interest groups that are providing the bulk of the campaign funding. Contributions, for instance, from the interest groups that represent the oil companies are a reason why Congress won't provide increased funding for research on alternative fuel sources or require that all vehicles be powered by hybrid engines in a short period of time. Contributions from the National Rifle Association are a reason why Congress does nothing to tighten our nations gun laws.

The solution to this contribution problem is not simple. Maybe campaign contributions should be made illegal or limited such that no one organization or individual can contribute over a certain amount. Perhaps only the government should funds campaigns. At any rate, Americans should be outraged at the current system that puts the interests of our organizations that fund election campaigns over the interests of all of the American people. Let your Congressman and Senators know that you want them stop the current practice of campaign contributions and find an alternative solution that will not obligate them to anything or anyone other than all of thier constituents and the American people as a whole.