Malcom Swift Essay, Research Paper

Is the campaign finance system an important issue or just another made up problem. Well,

it is an important issue and must be dealt with. Many groups have tried to set up

proposals to alleviate the increase spending on campaigns. The latest shot was introduced

by Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, and Senator Russell D. Feingold,

Democrat of Wisconsin called the McCain-Feingold Bill. This bill was oriented to stop

the influences of money in politics.

The bill was focusing on banning ?soft money? which is the unregulated and

unlimited donations which are given by private investors and persons to the different

political parties. The intention is a good one, one that would help the common man run

for office not having the millions of dollars needed for running. These campaign finance

advocates have been awaiting a surge of public demand for change for quite some time but

with no avail. A poll was taken on October 8-10 of 976 adults, 60 percent said

overhauling campaign finance law should be a low priority or not a priority at all, while 39

percent rated the issue as either a high priority or the most important issue before congers

(Doherty, 2507). This clearly expresses that the public is not outcrying for reform.

As the clich? goes, money also is the ?mother?s milk of politics?, shows the heavy

involvement of money as a deciding factor in politics. This is a view by many who support

the McCain-Feingold Bill. McCain said that he introduced this bill because he believes

?the system is broken? and ?the influence of money in politics inordinately affects

legislation.? This again brings us back to the clich? that money is the ?mothers milk of

politics.?

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This bill is supported primarily by Democrats and one Republican, which is ironic

because Senator John McCain is a Republican. HE feels that it is his duty to convince his

fellow Republicans to help his reform.

One particular oppositionist is Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky who says ?If

I?m correct and there?s no consensus on the problem they?re trying to solve, it?s a small

wonder that they can?t reach a consensus on the solution.? McConnell is trying to say that

he does not feel that there is even a problem with the money being spent on campaigns so

why solve it. Other opposers say that it limits freedom of speech.

But there are some reasons still to hope. In the Senate there is a small but

increasing number of Republicans that seem to be willing to seriously consider thinking

about the campaign proposals by McCain and Feingold. This shows the shift in the GOP

which can help the bill. Another boost is the factor that McCain will keep the campaign

finance issue on the front-burner as a presidential topic as long as he remains in the race.

His campaign could very well of received a boost when Mrs. Elizabeth Dole announced

her dropping out of the Presidential race because of lacking funds and financial

competitiveness. This should be a help because it is the backbone of the McCain-Feingold

Bill.

I feel that this is an important bill because I feel strongly about too much money is

needed for campaigns. I feel for Mrs. Dole because she probably could make a good run

for president but can?t because of financial lacking. How does the average Joe run for

president? Well in this day and age he can?t. But what if he has good ideals, morals and

future plans for this great nation? I get they will have to be put to the side. This to me is

a problem. And action taken by those such as McCain and Feingold are important, but we

as the public must help these ?crusaders? in their efforts. How do we help them? Well as

citizens, we must vote for those who advocate for these stands and in that maybe we will

get some where. In that, the power resides in us.

Bibliography

Berlau, John. Spending Limits A Good Idea Whose Time May Not Come. Insight on the

News.; March 10, 1997. v13 n9 p16(2)

Doherty, Carol J. Campaign Finance Crusaders Regroup After Latest Defeat.

Congressional Quarterly.;October 23,1999. v57 n28 p2507(9)

Mitchell, Allison. McCain-Feingold Bill Is ?Dead For the Year,? Senator Lott Says. New

York Times.; October 19,1999. pA1