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Campaign Finance Reform
A Specific and Detailed Proposal

Shaun Kerry, M.D.

Glancing at the present state of our society, it is evident that we lack good leadership.  Our healthcare and education systems are in serious disrepair.  Pollution and global warming threaten the survival of our planet.  These are merely a few examples drawn from a myriad of instances of social dysfunction. 

This is the second of our two political web sites.  The other site, Political Reform, discuses the root causes of political dysfunction, and should be read first.  The site that you are presently reading explains a plan of action.  These suggestions are preliminary, and will be refined over time, with the aid of discussion and input from many people.  Our forum is an important vehicle for such discussion, so please feel free to let your views and opinions on campaign finance reform be heard. 

In order for the creation of an equitable political selection process, the following criteria should be met:

1.  A candidate must be able to run for office without the requirement of more than a nominal amount of money and campaign support.

2.  Signatures should not be a requirement for a candidate or a proposition to be placed on the ballot.

3.  The candidate should be visible to the public via a web site that candidly presents him without the filtering of a third party or organization.

4.  There must be a screening process to fairly eliminate the great majority of candidates that is realistic and operated by the public.  The final election should not be more burdensome for the voter than the present system. 

5.  The government should not give money directly to any candidate or party, but rather, support the mechanism through which there is a level playing field and ample exposure for all candidates.

6.  There should be no other campaign contributions.

7.  Labor unions, the media, and other organizations should not support any particular candidates.

8.  No matter what system is proposed, there will be objections.  For example, some will argue that banning campaign contributions would give the media an unfair advantage.  But arguably, the media has acted responsibly in recent history, and would have to continue to do that to maintain the public trust.  We cannot have a perfect system, but our present system is outrageous.  Anything better than outrageous is a step in the right direction. 

Remember, the reform must overhaul the entire campaign process, not merely the financing aspect.  What cannot be done through laws must be done through the adoption of a code of ethics.