No real change until reform in 1) Campaign Finance & 2) Lobbying
BLUF: Campaign Finance & Lobbying Reform are MUST-DO's before any significant changes can/will happen. Elected officials can't manage govt finances honestly for the good of the constituents if 1) They must and can raise significant campaign funds to stay in office and 2) Lobbyists are able to provide them resources (funds, services, products). You can't ban either of these topics-we need campaigning to learn about/compare ...more »
BLUF: Campaign Finance & Lobbying Reform are MUST-DO's before any significant changes can/will happen.
Elected officials can't manage govt finances honestly for the good of the constituents if 1) They must and can raise significant campaign funds to stay in office and 2) Lobbyists are able to provide them resources (funds, services, products). You can't ban either of these topics-we need campaigning to learn about/compare candidates and constituent groups need the ability to communicate with elected officials. But they must be reformed to take the money out of the equation or the money will always drive the legislation and policy.
NO other topic can/should be addressed properly before these 2 topics are addressed. Not Social Security, not taxes, not health care, not environmental, not job creation, not immigration, not "Trade, Exports and Competitiveness"... They will ALL be tainted with money and not focused on the facts and best solution for the constituents unless these 2 topics are reformed first.
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