Comments on: It’s time to take the next step to end pay to play

By: Dr. J

Dr. J — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:54:57 +0000

Absolutely wedum59.

By: qofdisks

qofdisks — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 04:57:25 +0000

Amen Wedum59.

By: wedum59

wedum59 — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:14:31 +0000

It sounds like this kind of legislation would have to be carefully worded to keep from violating the contractors’ “personhood” rights. I think we need our state legislature to introduce a US Constitutional amendment to remove ALL organizations, for-profit and non-profit, from the “personhood” category.

By: Dr. J

Dr. J — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:20:01 +0000

Good points qofdisks. However, if all those things really happened, no one would want to run, who would want a job like that? Not sure that kind of person could be trusted to run government.

By: qofdisks

qofdisks — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:30:16 +0000

We need to change the nature of political campaigns so that they are not so expensive. There has to be better criteria for choosing our leaders than raising (begging for and taking) money. This relationship between have a ton of money and qualifying for elective office must be severed.

Our political campaigns have become a circus engaging no critical thought on the part of the public.

We need standard rules restricting the format of the campaigns themselves and not just the funding of campaigns. Campaigns to sift out our public servants should not be privately funded at all. They could take on a more serious and somber atmosphere of applying for a job and looking for a qualified candidate. The cost of campaigns are escalating beyond reason and we are wasting too much time and resources on these circuses. Campaigns must purposely be made boring, serious and somber.
I suggest our media publish the candidate’s resume, a photo, a quick bio, and one written essay each week addressing an issue or two. This could appear in every newspaper in the state with a special dedicated section and on the internet. Perhaps there could be a blog for public input and commentary as well as feedback from the candidate to the public. The candidate may publish their opponent’s factual record only.
No debates, no speeches, no parties, no political travel, no radio or TV, no gimmicks, no slogans, no bumper stickers, no signs, no ads. The political parties may throw matanzas, and get out the vote drives for one week only.
At the level of governor, senator or representative, they may have one small office from which they may generate and distribute only the publications above. Depending on the level of office they may be publicly financed for a few personnel no more. Other “smaller” campaigns could be conducted from a common office run by the respective party that will operate under the same restrictions.

Campaigns need to be restricted and made to operate within standardized budgets. While there would not be restriction on meaningful political speech, there would be restriction of circus and graft.

By: Astute Observer

Astute Observer — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:55:54 +0000

Worthing hearing … but these are the guys that helped bring about removing the GRT on food, which only INCREASED the tax burden on the poor, not help it – and screwed up the finance stream of every village, town and city in the State. Beware – having some vision that goes beyond the next corner is important here and I don’t think these guys have it. Having said that – as Michael Douglas said in the movie “An American President” .. it is ALL about character and we need leaders that have it, not leaders who are characters. We should try and legislate it … but we need leaders who go beyond what the law requires … we need men and women with character to lead this State. They exist – a couple of them are running for governor … but not all of the gubenatorial candidates fall into that category. Our form of government requires an educated electorate … oops …

By: Joseph Cummins

Joseph Cummins — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:00:47 +0000

This article sounds good, especially Restoring Trust and controlling the corruptive behavior of special interests.

Questions: Aren’t NGO’s with 501(c)(3) tax exemption status — Special Interests? And, isn’t wanting your tax dollars to fund baby sittin (Full Day Kindergarten) and the Green “Strategic River Reserve” merely socialistic causes that have proven throughout history to create impoverishment and eventually total societal failure.

Perhaps, we all should start doing our own THINKING instead of allowing others to do our thinking?

By: Dr. J

Dr. J — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:15:28 +0000

Bravo! You have my support and the support of every politiician who truly wants to end corruption and pay for play. But alas I think there are few who would dare challenge La Politica and introdcue and vote for this excellent bill.