What do you think about banning campaign contributions by corporations? Perhaps money could be donated to parties only as a whole to be distributed to candidates afterwards. This might help eliminate corporate America's influence on politicians. Good luck passing such a bill through congress but what of its merit?

How are corporate contributions any less legitimate than union contributions? How about contributions from other organizations, profit and non-profit alike?

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Election 2008 – Addicted to Placebos

or the huge amount of money that the trial lawyers are dumping into the democrats coffers...........

Corporate ownership of our government is the most serious issue we face as a society IMO. Clearly we must find a way to return ownership to the voters while being careful not to deny the rights of americans to band together into advocacy organizations. Maybe the key lies in differentiating between the donation of a living citizen and that of an artificial construct like a corporation. Rather than allowing exxon and the teamsters to make direct contributions, they should be limited to asking their members (stockholders and union members) to make contribution to the politicians chosen by the corporation or union or advocacy group. Or maybe it's time for the clean money movement to be given a chance.

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A nation of slaves is always prepared to applaud the clemency of their master who, in the abuse of absolute power, does not proceed to the utmost extremes of injustice and oppression.
Edward Gibbon

Or you can just stop electing corrupt politicians. I'd say a step in the right direction would be to elect a reasonably honest libertarian, or libertarians, and go from there. A government too small to give subsidies to corporations wouldn't be able to do it no matter how corrupt it becomes at any point. I suggest getting rid of Presidents who support wars of aggression, huge military, any welfare (including corporate welfare), and just leave the basics, like a defensive army, federal police force, government official salaries, judicial salaries and upkeep, etc...

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If a neocon whines about big government wealth redistribution, just ask him what he thinks about the portion of that big government that sends aid to Israel.

I think we need to stop letting politicians keep the damn warchest! Let everyone donate - then any excess goes to pay off the national debt rather then line the pockets of the politician when they leave office. If my job includes raising billions to 'keep' the job - and I get to keep every cent of the money when I leave - yeah, it's hard not to get corrupted. The temptation is to spend all my time raising funds, and none of my time dealing with difficult "third rail' issues.

Which is pretty much what we have right now.

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And there is distrust in Washington. I am surprised, frankly, at the amount of distrust that exists in this town. And I'm sorry it's the case, and I'll work hard to try to elevate it." --George W. Bush, Jan. 29, 2007

The heads of corporations are voters too. If they wanna contribute, it's their prerogative. And if they wanna keep their warchests, let them. It was contributed to them not the U.S.

I think those days are behind us. Americans today have become too dependent on nanny.

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"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."

President George W. Bush, 8-5-2004

Carolina Politics Online

THIS IS REAL HOPE AND CHANGE!

I don't think that's quite what he meant. Yes, corporate executive are voters too and they can contribute their own money, but he was referring to contributions from the company's coffers, not the individual running it.

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"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."

President George W. Bush, 8-5-2004

Carolina Politics Online

THIS IS REAL HOPE AND CHANGE!

Restricting donations is a broad, heavy handed approach. Like I said: stop electing corrupt officials. Corruptions declines when power decline. Just one reason to go Libertarian.

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If a neocon whines about big government wealth redistribution, just ask him what he thinks about the portion of that big government that sends aid to Israel.

I concur. Donations are not the problem, corrupt politicans are. My solution is term limits.

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http://www.fairtax.org

Elminate all taxes on income and replace with a national sales tax.

Proof?

Oh, and don't forget how much money is going to Republicans so we can compare.

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

Why should corporations be allowed to help elect politicians? Perhaps for the same reason that they're allowed to be taxed?

As others have said, the problem isn't corporate money, or even money, it's corruption. Corruption follows power, so the real solution is to remove (or more accurately, severely reduce) the power of the politicians that are elected. The shortest path (that I know of) to that true solution is to elect Libertarians.

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Today's forecast: Government corruption.

Tomorrow's forecast: 100% chance of more 'politics as usual'

Maybe it's finally time to vote Libertarian

campaigns themselves should be outlawed money completely banned. just debates on TV paid for by the government on all news television channels, no comercials or adds for so and so. just perhaps weekly televised debates.
of course that would be impossible but its probably the step in the direction of corruption free government.

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www.myspace.com/crusade7

Who selects the candidates will be allowed on the debates?

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears