Thursday, June 25, 2015

Salem News letter to editor


The Salem News, June 22, 2015
Letter to editor from Rod Kessler


Letter: Congressman should support campaign finance reform

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Posted: Monday, June 22, 2015 9:00 pm

To the editor:
Brian Watson’s June 8 column “We Can Remove Money from Politics” rightly suggests that the interests of ordinary citizens are being undermined when the politics of “one person, one vote” are superseded by a “democracy” of dollars. Big money corrupts and distorts the political process — and Americans know it. Polls show that the majority of us oppose unlimited infusions of cash from hidden donors into campaign coffers, yet the problems only worsen.


 Watson sounds a pessimistic note, deeming the situation hopeless. But is it? Several plans before Congress propose the kinds of changes that would limit the size of political donations and restructure the system to otherwise level the playing field. Unfortunately, Congressman Seth Moulton has yet to sign on to any proposal that would fundamentally reform our campaign finance system. But the time to lead is now. It would be! a great start if U.S. Rep. Moulton would co-sponsor the Government By the People Act (H.R.20) and support its Senate counterpart, the Fair Elections Now Act (S. 1538), a set of strong reform bills that have already been introduced in Congress. Cheer up, Brian, maybe there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.
Rod Kessler
Salem

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