Industry Controls
Certain industries and people affiliated with those industries should not be permitted to donate at all. For example, the Real estate industry, and other large industries which are viewed as controlling an economy.
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Wholesale election reform
Voluntary public financing is essential to improving the health of our democratic system. However, public financing alone will accomplish little to return power to its rightful owners, the citizens. We need comprehensive electoral reform if we are to achieve equality of rights and political power for people — excluding corporations despite their legal personhood. The two-party system is fundamentally antidemocratic. ...more »
1 comment for Idea: Wholesale election reformVoluntary public financing is essential to improving the health of our democratic system. However, public financing alone will accomplish little to return power to its rightful owners, the citizens. We need comprehensive electoral reform if we are to achieve equality of rights and political power for people — excluding corporations despite their legal personhood.
The two-party system is fundamentally antidemocratic. The two major parties are essentially two halves of a united oligarchy, and they will continue to act in the general interests of that oligarchy even if we have voluntary public financing of election campaigns. We need to break their stranglehold on power by giving other parties a level playing field on which to compete against Republicans and Democrats.
There are a number of ways to approach this, but I propose that, in addition to public financing, New York State should institute a system of instant-runoff voting for elections at every level, and it should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact to undermine the Electoral College.
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Public financing of elections
Add your comment for Idea: Public financing of electionsI am strongly in favor of public financing for clean elections so that all legislators are more responsive to the needs of the constituents they represent, and not big money corporate lobbyists.
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$1000 Max
3 comments for Idea: $1000 MaxDonors should only be able to give a maximum of $1000.00.
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Too much money in elections
Money should not equal free speech, each individual should have equal free speech as the constitution intended. In New York city, we have a billionaire monopolizing free speech, not because he has the backing of the majority of the people, not because he has the best ideas, but simply because he has the most money to bully his way into winning. There has to be a limit on spending in compaigns. The infestation of money ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Too much money in electionsMoney should not equal free speech, each individual should have equal free speech as the constitution intended. In New York city, we have a billionaire monopolizing free speech, not because he has the backing of the majority of the people, not because he has the best ideas, but simply because he has the most money to bully his way into winning.
There has to be a limit on spending in compaigns. The infestation of money into the political arena has bought our country to its present fiscal ruin. Elected holders has to raise large sums of money to compete. After being elected, these office holders do the bidding of the compaign contributors instead of the majority of the people. This must change.
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Clean Money/ Clean Elections/Clean district lines
Public financing of elections is essential to get pay to play out of New York. Legislators may well care about service to the community of voters but it doesn't look that way from a distance. Make clean money mandatory and while there is a mood for change, change voter registration. Why is public money spent on registering people for a political party? Let people register to vote. Period. No public records of a ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Clean Money/ Clean Elections/Clean district linesPublic financing of elections is essential to get pay to play out of New York. Legislators may well care about service to the community of voters but it doesn't look that way from a distance.
Make clean money mandatory and while there is a mood for change, change voter registration.
Why is public money spent on registering people for a political party? Let people register to vote. Period. No public records of a person's political affiliation and no public money spent of redistricting to draw crazy lines through communities to keep legislative seats safe for incumbents. That's just crazy.
What happens then in primary elections? They can be open as they are in other states or if parties want them to be closed elections then the parties pay the bill. Our tax dollars shouldn't be used to support either political party.
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Review the Wisdom of the Founding Fathers
While Thomas Jefferson and John Adams often disagreed, they frequently exchanged their philosophies of government. On October 8, 1813 Jefferson wrote a letter to Adams since entitled "The Natural Aristocrat." In his note he differentiates the "natural aristocrat", defined by "virtue and talent" from the "artificial aristocrat", defined by wealth and birth. He goes on to make the case that "that form of government is the ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Review the Wisdom of the Founding FathersWhile Thomas Jefferson and John Adams often disagreed, they frequently exchanged their philosophies of government. On October 8, 1813 Jefferson wrote a letter to Adams since entitled "The Natural Aristocrat." In his note he differentiates the "natural aristocrat", defined by "virtue and talent" from the "artificial aristocrat", defined by wealth and birth. He goes on to make the case that "that form of government is the best which provides the most effectually for a pure selection of the natural aristocrat into the offices of government".
Clearly Jefferson sought a way to attract the "best and brightest" into elected office. (Isn't this exactly how all enterprises attempt to staff positions of responsibility?). The decisions made by our representatives in Albany are critical to the future health and prosperity of the entire State's population. We want our leaders to be the best and brightest but the fundraising required by our current electoral process discourages most from participation in government. We need a Clean Elections law passed this session. Eliminating the drudgery of the money chase and simultaneously breaking the bonds between moneyed special interests and government would be a giant step towards making Jefferson's vision a reality in New York State.
Key features of a Clean Elections system are:
- Qualification must be based on a measure of popular support, not money raised.
- Public monies awarded must be sufficient to run a competitive campaign.
- The candidate accepting public funding must be shielded from indebtedness to special interests and therefore accountable only to the general public.
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Where Does the Money Go?
Add your comment for Idea: Where Does the Money Go?Let's start with asking the basic question; what are the costs of running a political campaign? I think New Yorkers should understand where the money goes first, before making suggestions as to how to fund these campaigns. Perhaps if New York State offered tax deductions/credits to the television broadcast companies (example), campaign costs would be less expensive to operate.
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campaign financing
Add your comment for Idea: campaign financingGoing on public funding and limiting the total spending is the first step to close the loop holes. The next is to scale down compensation for members of the legislature salaries for as is understood is a part time job. Do not complain. Most of the members are pretty wealthy and no one is twisting their arms to run. Any salary increase must be by the voters.
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clean elections ... now
Add your comment for Idea: clean elections ... nowThe election of Barack Obama has opened a door to reform that can transform our politics. The one area that hasn't received enough attention is the obscene cost of getting elected in the first place. We need public funding of elections to attract a new generation of candidates as well as to empower more people to vote. The time to get this done is yesterday - or in real terms - during this legislative session.
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Full public funding the only way to go
In my humble opinion, Any type of public funding (PF) option, if it is to both work and restore public confidence in NYS government, should be a full PF option (it’s unconstitutional for it to not be an option). It must allow a candidate to opt out of the need to dial for dollars (except when earning the support to become a public funding candidate). A matching funds system is throwing good money after bad. I understand ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Full public funding the only way to goIn my humble opinion, Any type of public funding (PF) option, if it is to both work and restore public confidence in NYS government, should be a full PF option (it’s unconstitutional for it to not be an option). It must allow a candidate to opt out of the need to dial for dollars (except when earning the support to become a public funding candidate). A matching funds system is throwing good money after bad. I understand that the matching fund system in NYC doesn’t eliminate private money. In fact, 2/3 is still private, and 6% of the donors give 40% of the money raised by candidates.
As long as candidates are calling big donors for donations, regardless of how low the threshold is adjusted (IE:$1000 a person), it can have the illusion (if not a reality) of not only the status quo, but welfare for those already entrenched, making it more likely that incumbents will win. The view of educated New Yorkers, of which there are many, will be cynical (see ”bundling”). I certainly don’t want my hard-earned money paying for this.
Also, to truly level the playing field and overcome the “wealth primary” factor, the amount of public funding must be sufficient so that PF candidates who may be the most qualified, have the best ideas, or have ALL of the people’s interests at heart, have an equal chance against those who are the richest or most well connected.
It’s time to give megaphones to ALL the people of New York, not just the ones who can pay for the loudest ones. I’d gladly give my donation to support such a system.
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Safety for the Voters
Add your comment for Idea: Safety for the VotersWe should repeal the law sealing the criminal records for people
who want to become teachers or nannies or bus drivers
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Public funding of elections
Add your comment for Idea: Public funding of electionsI strongly support public funding of elections campaigns. Our legislators know deep down that money buys influence in Albany, and they must hate having to raise all that money.
Please support public funding. It will set you free.
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campaign finance reform
Whether your interest is education, environment, healthcare, animal rights,voting rights, banking, or anything else,your expert knowledge and your sincerity will be of no avail until money is removed from the political agenda. Corporate lobbyists and individuals who have contributed hugely to political campaigns and political organizations are influencing policy, often writing legislation themselves. Until you, our legislators, ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: campaign finance reformWhether your interest is education, environment, healthcare, animal rights,voting rights, banking, or anything else,your expert knowledge and your sincerity will be of no avail until money is removed from the political agenda.
Corporate lobbyists and individuals who have contributed hugely to political campaigns and political organizations are influencing policy, often writing legislation themselves.
Until you, our legislators, are free to work for your constituents, it is blasphemy to call our state a democracy. Please act for New Yorkers and pass election law that makes true publicly funded elections a reality in New York State.
This will not outlaw lobbying, but will allow you to hear all sides of an issue without obligation to any group.It will also give you time to pursue the reason you chose to be a public servant.
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We need public funding of campaigns.
Now is the time to pass clean elections in New York State. We need to have public funding of campaigns. Public funding will help NYS because elected officials will not feel they need to write legislation that will benefit the corporations that contributed to their campaigns. Often the businesses that make the largest contributions to campaigns are given very large tax breaks. Those tax breaks take so much money from ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: We need public funding of campaigns.Now is the time to pass clean elections in New York State. We need to have public funding of campaigns. Public funding will help NYS because elected officials will not feel they need to write legislation that will benefit the corporations that contributed to their campaigns. Often the businesses that make the largest contributions to campaigns are given very large tax breaks. Those tax breaks take so much money from New York State which is about to lay off many state workers because of the deficit. If NYS did not give tax breaks to corporations who contribute to campaigns, there would be much more money available to pay state workers and to pay for programs in the budget.
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Full Public Funding only way to go
Wow! Is this REALLY a portal to the halls of political power? Lots to say. There are very rich companies and people who will lose power, pork, and profits if politicians pass progressive legislation, so they pour pounds of political contributions to predetermine passage of propositions that will perpetuate poverty and prevent real reform. Game’s been around a long time. Teddy R. knew : "There can be no effective control ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Full Public Funding only way to goWow! Is this REALLY a portal to the halls of political power? Lots to say.
There are very rich companies and people who will lose power, pork, and profits if politicians pass progressive legislation, so they pour pounds of political contributions to predetermine passage of propositions that will perpetuate poverty and prevent real reform. Game’s been around a long time. Teddy R. knew : "There can be no effective control of corporations while their political activity remains. To put an end to it will be neither a short nor an easy task, but it can be done."
Lincoln knew, too “ "I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country...Corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow. And the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed."
Republic destroyed? Every state in the union is either dealing with a major deficit, or on the brink of bankruptcy. Is there a connection between the above 3 paragraphs? Hmmm…
The answer? The late Paul Wellstone knew, “…we ought to put clean money, clean election reform, at the top of the agenda. Get the big money out, and let the people back in. We ought to seize the clean money, clean elections initiative that passed in Massachusetts and Arizona and take it all around the country and push as long and as hard as we can to restore democracy in America. Make reform a huge issue!”
Shift Happens. We all do better when we ALL do better.
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Imagine that it starts here
Full public funding of campaigns (Clean Elections) has already come to a number of states in the union. Candidates in those states that used to raise $ the old fashioned way, rave about not having to dial for dollars, and love that lobbyists avoid them at gatherings. The system has also brought fresh, new voices and ideas to their legislatures. Unfortunately, this reform has not yet made it to any of the larger states ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Imagine that it starts hereFull public funding of campaigns (Clean Elections) has already come to a number of states in the union. Candidates in those states that used to raise $ the old fashioned way, rave about not having to dial for dollars, and love that lobbyists avoid them at gatherings. The system has also brought fresh, new voices and ideas to their legislatures.
Unfortunately, this reform has not yet made it to any of the larger states that could have an impact on the momentum needed to get it to the Federal level. This is the opportunity, if our elected leaders in this great state have the foresight and courage to make it a reality in NY. Imagine if it sweeps the nation, and it started here.
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Clean elections
We need full public financing of elections to bring true democracy back to the system. Big money interests have too much control over elected officials. Removing the need for candidates to raise money from big donors will free them to address issues that matter to us - the people who elected them. People will become much more involved in the democratic process if they know that politicians are free to decide issues ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Clean electionsWe need full public financing of elections to bring true democracy back to the system. Big money interests have too much control over elected officials. Removing the need for candidates to raise money from big donors will free them to address issues that matter to us - the people who elected them. People will become much more involved in the democratic process if they know that politicians are free to decide issues on their merits and not on the basis of answering to campaign contributors. A Clean Elections system will also enable citizens without millions of dollars to run for office.
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Clean elections
NYS is famous for its "pay to play" politics. Citizens are aware of this and therefore have a cynical view of "our" legislature and a negative view of our legislators. When I talk to people about clean elections for NY I get a "yeah, right!" response. This needs to change! Clean Elections would free you as legislators from the hold of wealthy donors and the constant quest for money. It would revitalize politics and give ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Clean electionsNYS is famous for its "pay to play" politics. Citizens are aware of this and therefore have a cynical view of "our" legislature and a negative view of our legislators. When I talk to people about clean elections for NY I get a "yeah, right!" response. This needs to change! Clean Elections would free you as legislators from the hold of wealthy donors and the constant quest for money. It would revitalize politics and give your constituents a new belief that they actually have a representative government. The time for clean elections is looooooooong overdue!
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Public financing for election campaigns
Public funding of political campaigns would greatly reduce the influence of large donations, and would help elect people who actually represent the general public interest. Passage of true health care reform, measures to address global warming, etc, would at last be possible. Under such a system candidates are responsible to the voters not to the donors. AND politicians will have more time to address the issues rather ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Public financing for election campaignsPublic funding of political campaigns would greatly reduce the influence of large donations, and would help elect people who actually represent the general public interest. Passage of true health care reform, measures to address global warming, etc, would at last be possible. Under such a system candidates are responsible to the voters not to the donors. AND politicians will have more time to address the issues rather than phoning for dollars. Access to a reasonable allotment of public funds plus a 4:1 matching system for small donations ($100-300) or a full public financing system would both be effective.
Rosemary Faulkner
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Campaign Finance Laws
Add your comment for Idea: Campaign Finance LawsWE need to shut down ALL lobbyist. Just say NO to any of them. Why do we even have them. If it is for information we should get if from someone, anyone who does NOT have a steak it the matter. I know many knowledgable professional would be more than willing to speak to memebers of OUR government about the REAL FACTS without working for some large greedy cooperation.
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Campaign Finance
It is well past time for NY to allow its residents to control the election process..we must put an end to the big money looking to exert power and influence, we must allow voters to choose to vote in any political party primary as blanks or independents...this is the way to open up the election process to the voters and not the political hacks and bosses making the selection and then dictating it to a 'screening committee', ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Campaign FinanceIt is well past time for NY to allow its residents to control the election process..we must put an end to the big money looking to exert power and influence, we must allow voters to choose to vote in any political party primary as blanks or independents...this is the way to open up the election process to the voters and not the political hacks and bosses making the selection and then dictating it to a 'screening committee', we have hadenough of that failed system. Time for real campaign and election reforms.
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campaign finance reform
Public funding for political campaigns would go a long way to reducing the influence of the big money corporations on members of Congressl. The special interests such as insurance firms and oil companies are able to prevent passage of meaningful health care reform, and measures to address global warming, both supported by a majority of the people. Fair elections would allow the people not dollars to have their true ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: campaign finance reformPublic funding for political campaigns would go a long way to reducing the influence of the big money corporations on members of Congressl. The special interests such as insurance firms and oil companies are able to prevent passage of meaningful health care reform, and measures to address global warming, both supported by a majority of the people. Fair elections would allow the people not dollars to have their true voice. And it would allow politicians time to work on the issues rather than dialing for dollars.
A hybrid system including 4:1 matching of small donations or full public financing- either would be a huge improvement in our democracy.
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clean elections
I feel strongly that public funds should be used and corporate money should stay out. Give all candidates, no matter how small of a party, an equal share of funds to use, and not allow corporations to donate any money at all to a political campaign. Radical change needs to happen because this political system we're currently working in... doesn't work for the people, it works now for the corporations and politicians, ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: clean electionsI feel strongly that public funds should be used and corporate money should stay out. Give all candidates, no matter how small of a party, an equal share of funds to use, and not allow corporations to donate any money at all to a political campaign. Radical change needs to happen because this political system we're currently working in... doesn't work for the people, it works now for the corporations and politicians, and that my friend, is not democracy, it's a f*cking sham and everyone knows it. Calling you guys out as slaves to the corporation until you make some fundamental changes.
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Campaign Contributions!
Add your comment for Idea: Campaign Contributions!If Congress is not inclined to accept public financing because of less than honorable intentions, then let them pay an exorbitant income tax on these payoffs!
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