Fair Elections Now

One of the most interesting facts I have learned recently is that 47% of members of Congress are millionaires. That is compared to less than 1% of the average Joes that make up the rest America.

No matter how you cut it, money helps you win elections. People with money can not only fund their own campaigns, as exhibited by the recent mayoral race in New York, but they also are privy to networks of people that most people don't have access too. And with those networks of wealthy individuals, come special interests.

Maine has led the nation in creating public financing for state candidates. All the way from the state legislature to governor, a candidate can choose to be funded through public funds - completely void of special interests and promises made while campaigning. To keep the money going to serious candidates you need to prove yourself with "seed" money that is given through $5 donations. How much you need varies by the number of people you would ultimately represent.

All states should incorporate similar funding methods. The executive director of Emerge Maine, Katie Mae Simpson, recently told our class that in Massachusetts a candidate for the state legislature can spend up to $100,000. This time spent fundraising should be time spent doing grassroots organizing, and getting to know the voters. Likewise, those dollars should go to non-profits trying to directly impact people's lives.

There is a bill in Congress right now to make publicly funded campaigns a national program, the Fair Elections Now Act. If enacted, this bill would create a voluntary system that would limit contributions to $100, emphasize grassroots support and bring campaign finance reform into the 21st century. After last week's Supreme Court decision, to allow unlimited corporate contributions that directly affect elections, there has never been a better time to vocally support clean elections.

I would encourage all of you to call your members of Congress and ask them to support the Fair Elections Now Act - HR 1826, in the House, and S. 752 in the Senate.  Clean elections have been very successful in Maine, and are a great model for the rest of the country!

By Erin McGuire, Emerge Maine Class of 2010