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Today's Poll: Should campaigns for state office be publicly financed?

By Howard B. Owens
Dave Olsen

No. All this will accomplish is to strengthen the stranglehold the 2 main parties already have on state politics. It will make it darn near impossible for any political parties other than republocrats and demicans to challenge them. This should be named "The Incumbent Protection Act". Transparency and full disclosure is the key, not limits. If Andy wants a new law and he seems to love more laws; how about making candidates wear their sponsor's logos on a jacket, like a NASCAR driver. Also, I don't want a donor's dollar to be matched by 6 dollars of taxpayer money to fund a political campaign. Even if it's someone I support, that is so wrong on so many levels.

The only reason big money is a problem in politics is because there is big money in big government. Reduce government, get rid of the public authority system and stop making so damn many laws that create winners and losers. Let the free market work then corporations and billionaires won't be interested in buying politicians anymore. Reduce taxes, so there isn't as much of the public's money to steal.
It's not that complicated.

Jun 12, 2013, 6:20am Permalink
Dave Olsen

Also, this creates another bureaucracy to manage the money distribution. Don't we have more state agencies than we need deciding how to spend our money already?

Jun 12, 2013, 6:25am Permalink
Robert Brown

I also do not think the public should fund primaries for ANY parties, let alone the two parties who merrily sap the system for themselves. If you form a party, select your candidates however you want and put them up for vote. We have enough theatrics from Hollywood - take care of your political drama on your own dime. And engage ALL candidates in equal time debates.

Jun 12, 2013, 9:00am Permalink
John Roach

Bob,
I agree, primaries should be paid for by the party, not the taxpayer.
Who would pay for the debates and who should decide who gets to debate?

Jun 12, 2013, 9:49am Permalink

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