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We have yet to cast a single vote in the 2008
elections, but winners are already being picked. Unfortunately, you’re probably not one of the
pickers, because this is an exclusive, anti-democratic process controlled
by corporate executives, lobbyists, and rich people who make high-dollar
campaign contributions. Less than 1 percent of the American people
participate in this “wealth primary,” yet they have a greater
say in our political choices than the other 99 percent of us. Indeed,
candidates spend most of their political time dialing for dollars and
schmoozing with the rich, rather than discussing issues and talking to the
folks. Well, say those elites who benefit from this
plutocratic system, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that giving a ton of
campaign funds is an exercise in “free” speech, so
there’s nothing anyone can do to stop this money corruption of our
politics and government. Not so fast, Slick. U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Arlen
Specter, joined by a hardy group of fighters for democracy, have come up
with a way that frees the system from dependence on special-interest money.
Called the “Fair Elections Now Act,” S. 1285 sets up an
alternative election fund for candidates who voluntarily agree not to take
private-interest money. These Fair Elections funds would be available to
all qualified congressional candidates in both the primary and general
elections. Modeled on the successful “clean
elections” programs that have been established in seven states and
two cities, the federal law would make ordinary voters count again,
encourage regular people to run for office, and free officeholders from the
grip of big money. And, because it’s voluntary, the Fair Elections
system is constitutional. To achieve America’s democratic ideals, we
must refocus our politics on people, not on money. This vital bill makes
that possible.
Jim Hightower is a national radio commentator,
columnist, and author.
This article appears in Jul 12-18, 2007.
