Much appreciation is due Ms. Kathryn Tasto for her initiative to announce a public meeting on the egregious nature of monetary influence in politics. 

 

My interest in this issue was heightened from serving in the legislature and voting against the 1993 campaign finance “reform” bill, which only worsened the influence of legislative campaign funding.

 

The ’93 “reforms” limited contributions each legislator or candidate could receive on an individual basis, but the four political party caucuses with their legislative leaders had no limits (two in each legislative body). If we picture campaign finance as a balloon aired up and squeezed it in all but four places, it’s naturally going to bulge from contributions in those four places where it’s not squeezed with contribution limits. Then making matters worse the four party leaders have tremendous power/influence over their caucuses through the appointment of committees and committee chairs which are allowed to control the political agenda; and so the money to power web legally flows causing gridlock, omnibus bill abuses etc. 

 

It is long past time we eliminate the ability for any member of our legislature and congress to form a group with other legislators that can receive funds to influence elections; and to require the authority structure of the legislature to reflect the will of the people. If the people elect 60% of the legislature to be of one political party, and 40% of another, the committee structure must reflect the representation elected by the people instead of one party control all. We must also eliminate the political party designation in the legislature itself to strengthen the local grass roots parties and mitigate partisanship in the legislature.