Positive Goal for this Topic

[DavidMichael]

I believe the only reason that companies have the ability to buy politicians is because within our current political system, politicians can be elected into public office to "serve" us for entire careers.  They then receive a pension for their "work" after they retire.  It is a flaw in our system that politicians can even be re-elected.  There needs to be strict term limits for those that wish to serve the public otherwise the main goal of a politician once in office is to become re-elected.  This is a big part of the problem why politicians can be bought by these companies, leading to the many social ills we currently dealing with.

[DavidMichael]

And I like where Criscolu is going with the post.  Those are some well thought out solutions.

[criscoluv]

Criscoluv said:

http://www.americanselect.org/

I know I posted this link and I was excited about it and also curious what others had to say. BEWARE, read the privacy policy first! Why they need to collect the site that referred you as well as the site you visit after their site is very suspicious.

[gshain]

I would like to suggest that the only way to change the money/finance issue and Candidates is to stop voting for candidates if they raise too much money. I think that setting limits makes a great deal of sense. A congressmen, for example, would only be able to raise $5.00 per voter, a senator, $3.00 per voter, President $2.00. This type of system, I think, will also assist 3rd or 4th party candidates be heard in this country. If enough people sign a pledge that they will not vote for candidates who raise or spend more than this than "we the people" have a chance to take back government. Trying to change the rules set up by the very people who take the funding will not, in my opinion work, because they believe that raising more money means you can win a race. Legal changes will take a great deal of time and can then be overturned by any new Congress or even worse the Supreme Court. Individual voters need to do this for their own good and the good of a democratic country.

[Green.Attorney]

Two suggestions to get money/greed/corruption (and Chicago-styled friends/family) out of government.

(1) Require/demand that all political parties follow the approach of the Green Party - candidates do not accept corporate or PAC money. Never did, never will. Coupled with a grassroots power base, so that local chapters retain power to vote on all issues (rather than current top down bi-partisan structure).

(2) Instant Runoff Voting.