One solution to big money donations is really rather simple

[hootinholler]

A new law that says "You cannot donate to a candidate unless you will be a constituent" seems to me like it would go pretty far is reining in big donor politician purchases.

At least the Koch Bros or Bill Gates would only be able to buy 3 seats in congress.

[el_bryanto]

1. that makes sense

But of course you might also have the issue of corporations who might operate pretty much in every district. So I think if we are going to do this we should abolish the principal of corporate person-hood as well.

Bryant

[PoliticAverse]

2. That idea is kind of what was overruled in the court's decision today. n/t

[hootinholler]

4. Not at all.

What was overturned was a cap on overall spending on campaigns. This would place no cap (existing caps would remain) on spending, but limit who you can donate to, to people who will directly represent you if they win.

[PoliticAverse]

7. But if you look at the reasoning for eliminating the cap, it was because it limited the number

of candidates a person could contribute to. The per-candidate cap was not overturned but
an overall cap limiting the number of candidates you could give to was. I don't see the same
court that overruled this cap agreeing to limiting donations to constituents only. I could also
see a rich business person arguing that they counted as a constituent in any state which
they did business.

[SoCalNative]

8. If they're not registered to vote

in that state or district then no, they are not a constituent. Period.

[Maedhros]

3. Public financing [n/t]

[polichick]

5. That's what would happen in a democracy.

[elfin]

6. Or be required to donate an equal amount to the general treasury of the entity

You are trying to influence. I would LOVE to have the Kochs dump money into Wisconsin to actually be used for the running (as opposed to ruining) Wisconsin.

Tricky in some places, but I like the general idea right down to school board elections.

[Laelth]

9. Interesting idea. n/t

-Laelth

[Walk away]

10. I'm sure the Republican Congress will send that up right away.

Maybe we should call them and tell them about it.

The only way this shit is going to be changed is if someone with a lot of money and power cleans the Republicans clocks in 2016. That means the White House, Senate and Congress. And after today that is going to take billions of dollars and the ability to go for the throat.

[spanone]

11. 'sense' has no place in today's political scenario

[n2doc]

12. How about if all contributions were divided equally among those running?

With any leftovers going to the Treasury. It would certainly frost the Koch's to have their money going to a pro labor democrat….