Public Funding Of Elections Is Unconstitutional
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet
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The first thing one must ponder when “considering public funding of elections” is the fact that if democrats REALLY want it as badly as they appear to – then, there must be something in it for them!
Of course there is. They are searching for some way, ANY WAY, to negate corporate donations to the GOP. That’s not all, of course, but the Dems are still P.O.ed over the Supreme Court’s decision concerning those corporate donations.
I suppose, for me, one of the irritants about so-called “voter-owned elections” is the simple fact that I, as a taxpayer, would be paying for the political campaigns of those with whom I am in almost total disagreement on the way this country and my state are run. That alone, is reason enough for me to stand solidly AGAINST public funding of elections.
It is another way for those in power to force Americans support those candidates they oppose. Those who support public funding of elections will swear the blame for the corruption in our government today can be laid at the feet of lobbyists and special interests.
Frankly, I am not so sure of that. You see – I AM A SPECIAL INTEREST! YOU ARE A SPECIAL INTEREST! As such, we sometimes fund lobbyists to go where we cannot, as individuals, to press our politicians for, or against, certain legislation we happen to agree with -- or disagree with. Such is the case with business, education, and even religious organizations. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Understand this: Forcing an American citizen to support something he/she opposes, some say, will corrupt the American political system far more than any lobbyists or special interest group. I tend to agree.
Look, the bottom line is this: Public funding of elections is a violation of the free speech rights of all Americans. It is a restriction on that right and cannot be tolerated.
Not all Americans can take the time away from their jobs to go door to door, hand out pamphlets, put up roadside signs, make telephone calls, etc. But, many CAN spare a few dollars to send to the candidate who most nearly represents their view and philosophy on governing this nation and their state. Why should those hardworking Americans, indeed, ANY American, be forced to also give money to the very candidate they oppose? It is my contention they should not!
Corruption in our government will never be stopped by “voter-owned elections.” Corrupt government will be stopped only when we Americans stop electing corrupted and corruptible men and women to public office.
Ultimately the old saw “We get the government we deserve” is right. The plain fact is – ending corruption in American government will be achievable only when we end corruption in America – period! That begins at the knee of the mommies and daddies all across this land.
The scriptures tell us: “Bring up a child in the way he should go, and when he is grown, he will not depart from it.” Therein lies the answer to ending corruption in our government.
The first thing one must ponder when “considering public funding of elections” is the fact that if democrats REALLY want it as badly as they appear to – then, there must be something in it for them!
Of course there is. They are searching for some way, ANY WAY, to negate corporate donations to the GOP. That’s not all, of course, but the Dems are still P.O.ed over the Supreme Court’s decision concerning those corporate donations.
I suppose, for me, one of the irritants about so-called “voter-owned elections” is the simple fact that I, as a taxpayer, would be paying for the political campaigns of those with whom I am in almost total disagreement on the way this country and my state are run. That alone, is reason enough for me to stand solidly AGAINST public funding of elections.
It is another way for those in power to force Americans support those candidates they oppose. Those who support public funding of elections will swear the blame for the corruption in our government today can be laid at the feet of lobbyists and special interests.
Frankly, I am not so sure of that. You see – I AM A SPECIAL INTEREST! YOU ARE A SPECIAL INTEREST! As such, we sometimes fund lobbyists to go where we cannot, as individuals, to press our politicians for, or against, certain legislation we happen to agree with -- or disagree with. Such is the case with business, education, and even religious organizations. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Understand this: Forcing an American citizen to support something he/she opposes, some say, will corrupt the American political system far more than any lobbyists or special interest group. I tend to agree.
Look, the bottom line is this: Public funding of elections is a violation of the free speech rights of all Americans. It is a restriction on that right and cannot be tolerated.
Not all Americans can take the time away from their jobs to go door to door, hand out pamphlets, put up roadside signs, make telephone calls, etc. But, many CAN spare a few dollars to send to the candidate who most nearly represents their view and philosophy on governing this nation and their state. Why should those hardworking Americans, indeed, ANY American, be forced to also give money to the very candidate they oppose? It is my contention they should not!
Corruption in our government will never be stopped by “voter-owned elections.” Corrupt government will be stopped only when we Americans stop electing corrupted and corruptible men and women to public office.
Ultimately the old saw “We get the government we deserve” is right. The plain fact is – ending corruption in American government will be achievable only when we end corruption in America – period! That begins at the knee of the mommies and daddies all across this land.
The scriptures tell us: “Bring up a child in the way he should go, and when he is grown, he will not depart from it.” Therein lies the answer to ending corruption in our government.
J. D. Longstreet
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