As a Citizen Action activist, I have been promoting the concept of voter-owned elections with public financing for several years. During my 2010 campaign for the NY Assembly, I made it a centerpiece of my reform agenda for Albany. During my many interactions with the public, politicians and the press, I have heard many arguments against the concept. Some of the arguments rest on the wisdom of the US Supreme Court that has recently and consistently allowed the use of private funds, including funds from corporations and other non-individual entities, in political campaigns. Some people oppose the use of tax money from citizens to fund unacceptable candidates. There are also those who oppose more government expenses, especially in these difficult economic times.
This forum gives me the opportunity to examine these opposing ideas, understand them the best that I can, and share my thoughts with the readers. I hope to hear back from you. We can all be enriched by sharing thoughts and ideas that aims to help us better understand why people would oppose a concept that is completely non-partisan and clearly strengthens our democracy.
You can contribute further by commenting on other ideas that you have heard in opposition to voter-owned elections. We’ll take these ideas and churn them over with the purpose of enriching our perspective.
Stay tuned, and I hope to hear from YOU!