2006 Democratic Party U.S. House candidate Gary Trauner writes a column for New West every two weeks. His April 25 column, "In politics, it's money that matters," addressed the depradations of private-sector money in political campaigns.
Writes Trauner:
"...the answer is to remove big money influence through public financing of campaigns and opening the public airwaves to candidates."
"For many who oppose public financing, the main argument is that it would increase government spending. However, I think we would actually reduce spending and taxes if we had the courage and foresight to remove special interest money from the system. Just look at the Medicare Part D bill, a spending boondoggle that put the interest of insurance companies and drug companies in front of our senior citizens and federal budget. Or let’s look at the most recent energy bill, where fiscal responsibility took a back seat to billions of dollars of giveaways to the most profitable companies in the history of civilization. These bills were made possible by huge donations from special interests. Without having to cater to these groups, lawmakers could actually pass laws that focus on fiscal responsibility and helping people instead of breaking the bank. Spending less than an additional $800 million per election cycle might save us from shelling out billions and billions in recurring pork and special interest projects every year."
Read the entuire column at New West. On the sidebar, click on "politics" or "Jackson Hole."
Kudos to the New West headline writer who borrowed the title of the satiric Randy Newman song, "It's Money that Matters."
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