Let’s Fix Campaign Financing
Everyone agrees our political system is totally corrupt. The rich and powerful are buying politicians like cotton candy at a carnival. What’s happening in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Florida, New Jersey and at least 11 other states is proof of that. The solution is obvious: campaign finance reform. Get the money out of politics. Make it illegal for any corporation, union, entity or individual to contribute to a candidate or a political action committee (PAC) in any way whatsoever. Let the government finance each candidate with a sum designated for the particular office being contested. While we’re at it, let’s shorten the campaign period to something reasonable: say six weeks to two months. This would be easy to accomplish if there was the will to do it. But our politicians are so corrupt, so contemptible, it’s unlikely to ever happen. Given that, we will keep ceding power and control to the ruling class.
August 1st, 2011 at 6:16 pm
I agree that campaign finance reform will never happen. What concerns me even more as a citizen is the deranged religious far-right fanatics who are willing to sacrifice this country so that it can be made over in their image. These people are scary and receive support from untaxed PACs founded in churches. I’m sure this country is going to hell, and it’s one of the psuedo-Christian design.
August 1st, 2011 at 11:28 pm
:Religion is the opiat of the masses: Karl Marx
August 2nd, 2011 at 12:33 pm
The possibility of becoming a career politician should also be removed. The longer in power, the more corrupt they become….increasing their circle of friends and victims.
August 5th, 2011 at 7:23 pm
Personally concerning the campaign period, it depend of what one call a campaign but from what I read the essential of it presently is around three month, in my opinion that seem correct, here in Canada federal campaigns are 1 month but the situation of the country is less complex here, there are less peoples involved… What is questionnable for me would be the fact the some media talk only of politics for almost a years before the election, how could the average person make herself an idea with that quatity of information? Concerning the financing, I’m not much informed about politics but if I remember correctly according to the Michael Moore movie “Capitalism: A Love Story”, the problem is not really the financing but the fact that powerful entities like Goldman Sach have persons representing their interest work in important position in the goverment, making laws regulating financing from the average citizen would certainly not help them defend their interest… Beside the PAC is an interesting thing, some of them are equivocally managed but some like the Colbert one are an excellent way of expression for the peoples..
August 6th, 2011 at 1:10 am
I keep mentionning the Michael Moore movie “Capitalism: A Love Story” when it come to some Wall Street malpractice but I should mention the article “The Wall Street Banksters” from this website, altough both cover the same area…
August 6th, 2011 at 10:41 pm
The supreme court ruling that allowed unlimited campaign contributions by corporations legalized this totally corrupt system.
August 7th, 2011 at 12:58 am
If we want to get out of this recession we should have free medical care.Think of all the big corporations that would no longer have to pay for their employees health care.The money that they save can be put back into the company so they can hire more workers .If everybody paid 3% of their income we could do it.Not everybody would have to use it,but everybody would have to pay.Not all of the doctors would have to particapate .
August 14th, 2011 at 10:31 am
I am such a strong believer in the limitations that should be instilled to the PAC is what is needed. I am a former Marine and worked for a Union environment with the Detroit Michigan Automotive Industry (no longer employeed though). I want union “campain dolloars” to go the hard ass workers in the plants, not the Flippin politicians.
Years ago I was around 22 or 23 doing my basic tax return papers and not really knowing much about politics, I came across the box for “donating to Presidential election campaign”. I never liked that little box. I also never donated to it. NEVER will.
I want nothing more to see the corrupt political campaigns to be limited or have SET time guidlines.. I mean, how much shit do we have to hear. It should be direct, self financed, time limited (no more 90 days) and may the best man win!…
Semper Fi!
C.ALLEN – Detroit, Michigan!
August 14th, 2011 at 10:46 am
Larry’s right!! There is so much money involved with politics that we could divert half the money thrown into this JOKE to feed some many people that washington politics have put on the street. All of the special programs with the exception of Medicare, Social Security, and Workers Comp. Need to GO!!!!!!!! People in Europe are rioting because they are being told to go to work, the money is GONE!!!!!!!! Reduce the size of government, do away with the department of Education, the FDA, IRS, and the United Nations. 1/3 of our budget is diverted to the united nations. WHY? Infrastructure, we build other countries before we’ll take care of out own. MICHAEL MOORE. tip of the perverbial iceburg.
August 14th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
For the first time ever, I’m actually embarrassed of our Government, and our country from a worldwide perspective. Bush was an average two-term President, and Obama seems like a “Yes Man” trying to please whoever is kneeling in front of him. Could you imagine Obama in 8th grade trying to decide what to have for lunch? It would be dinner time before the first bite!
I agree that campaign funds need to be on a level playing field. It’s absolutely unfair to get a fair shake at winning your chosen office if the other guy has a few million to almost a billion dollar advertising advantage.
Campaign time definitely needs to be shortened. By the time actual voting takes place, I can’t remember half the bullshit each candidate has been serving to me to choose from.
Sarah Palin – please stop trying to be an actual contender qualified to lead this great Nation. We have enough problems already, focus on your family, and keep driving around the country in a circle on your bus.
p.s. Please pose in Hustler Mrs. Palin as a nice reminder of our freedom to see tits, ass, and polital hole…
August 17th, 2011 at 12:59 am
revised … please use this one … thanks …
Mr. Flynt … sure wish you would run for President again …
I strongly believe … “All of our politicians” are F-en PIGS !!! and that you are the only one in this crazy country who has the balls and knowledge to save it and make it the best it can be …
Why? … cause you are a “Bid-ness Man” !
It was great to meet you at the Grand Opening of the Hustler
Hollywood store here in St. Louis … Thursday, June 14th. 2007 …
Mr. Flynt … You are the BEST !!!
Respectfully Submitted …
BIG Jim – Mid-Missouri Boy …
PS: Thanks for being a Veteran !!!
August 18th, 2011 at 6:18 pm
Dear Mr Flynt,
I enjoyed your article very much and agree on many points so much so thati realized You might be the right person to speak with. I have come up with a workable solution that addresses many of your points and more. There IS a will to do it a WAY to do it and it has the potential to change the structure of campaigning and campaign finance to the extent that i was approached by a DoD partner who wanted to hold all IP. That was a little too Big Brother for me so i had to decline. That made me nervous. I dont want to go to bed with the government just give the people back their voice and show them their vote does count. . My plan minimizes campaign spend, creates transparency, equalizes the playing field, removes the filters creating better access for the general public thereby engaing the public as an active participant in their own future and a giving them back their vote and their voice. I would like very much to tell you about it and you dont have to publish this just join me for a cup of coffee. You have my email.
August 18th, 2011 at 9:56 pm
Hi Larry,
I feel you with the campaign finance situation & corrupt politicians. Of course you make total sense, anybody with minimal intelligence can see that big $$ runs our government. Didn’t Ross Perot say that back in the 90′s, which I’m sure he wasn’t the only one that has pointed that out.
I met you in Springfield, Missouri, in the early 80s. I was an orderly and I cleaned up everything on that floor, even your room a time or two. There were a bunch of old mafia dudes up there dying. I didn’t know it at the time but even Nicholas Civella (one of the mafia guys that was skimming the Stardust casino in Las Vegas) was on the same floor you were. It was cool of you to let us make long distance phone calls through your business phone on Christmas. I was an avid fan of your magazine before I arrived to Springfield and you would bring in extra copies to give away.
Anyway, why haven’t you backed some college kid brainiac to pursue politics that has similar ideals as you? It’s not the president that runs this country, it’s the representatives, senators and advisors. Like the head of the cia or director is appointed by the president but everybody else beneath him has been there for years. The second in command is running things. Your offer to Wiener is too good. He’s a loser Larry don’t offer that punk a dime. What career does he have ahead of him? Does he have any degrees? Not that it helps nowadays. The only thing he was qualified to do he went and messed it up. Using our 1st amendment to scream about the fixes we need isn’t really effective, our whole political system needs an enema. Larry, get out the water hose! Thank you!
August 21st, 2011 at 1:47 pm
Larry,
I am admittedly not too familiar with your work but was impressed with how you were depicted in ”The People v Larry Flynt”. I studied politics in college and am a strong believer in free speech, liberty, freedom of expression, and a non-interventionist foreign policy. Needless to say I am a supporter of Dr. Ron Paul. I see you support Democrats but wish you would consider the champion of the Constitution, Ron Paul. Thanks for your time.
August 21st, 2011 at 7:11 pm
Larry, I read you article abut guns.I live in Maryland and have been hunting since I was 11. I have been convicted in conjunction with my 2nd amendment right. The state says I lied but in fact I did not. I guess my next step is federal court .
August 21st, 2011 at 9:27 pm
I happen to like Mr. Larry Flynt, and his online commentary forums. Unfortunately we live in a a new era where individual people with wealth and power can be crashed by the media online. “Anonymous” is a good example. Even though this is not meant as a good example it show’s how our technology can exploit the people and the media outlets which thrive off of exploitation. Seriously if Mr. Flynt were to respond I would like to talk to him and or meet him one-on-one. Larry if you offered that dip shit politician a job that pay’s so damn good Im would wipe your ass, and maintain a branch facility for 4′ grand a month. Jesus construction has gone to shit!!!! If your magazine company could post the tin man lubing dorthys pussy. I would take it to the next level with a tranny on “Jersey Shore” pumping the “situation” into a tight spot. LOL
August 23rd, 2011 at 6:16 am
On a serious note. Things are seriously wrong with America. People no longer matter and they’re willing to do…..nothing…Somber sign. And that is okay, if that is all you want to be. Somehow people lost their sense to protest, likely governmental regulated.
Either my paranoia has kicked in or they’ve somehow managed to drug the water, regardless it is your fucking DUTY to stand up and make a scene, yet nothing happens.
I am outside looking in, I’m a Canadian, we’re doing “okay” though you have every right to be angry, embrace it, get mad, shit on the streets it is your fucking right. You’re living in a Country where the most finite resource is life, if you can’t realize that then were doomed to follow and all hope is lost.
August 25th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
Dear Larry,
I admire your passion and seemingly endless energy. Personally I’m despairing of politics altogether. I live in Madison, Wisconsin and have done some volunteer work for Planned Parenthood recently for the recall elections, and while we did flip two seats and retain the Democrats that were up for recall, the system as a whole is completely flawed, as you say. The amount of money spent on these recall elections was record-breaking. Money spent purely to emotionally sway people into decisions instead of educate.
Anyway, I just want to say I’m glad you’re around and hopefully your passion will rub off. We’re running low on steam here.
Respectfully,
Becky Wheeler
September 23rd, 2011 at 10:12 am
Larry,
You need to set up rewards for any dirt on any memeber of Congress. We need to clean house in the House and Senate. Our country is going down a dangerous path, we have so many problems in government and the same clowns that put us in this mess, we are now asking to fix it!
October 5th, 2011 at 8:52 pm
ATTENTION MR FLYNT, THIS IS NOT A JOKE OR HOAX THIS IS REAL 100%.I was sitting down at lunch break at work talking with a few co-workers and we started talking politics(a big no-no at work).Well anyway,I responded to a person who was saying the President hasn’t done anything in his entire career.I found myself defending Mr Obama mainly because he inherited much of the mess we are currently in.With that said I believe he has made some mistakes like not being more forceful and trying to compromise too much instead of staying with his core beliefs.I really dont understand how politians can cut programs for the needy.Government is supposed to be here to help people who need it period,whether that be during a natural disaster or a man made financial collapse.So it really hurts and embarrass’ me that in the USA the greatest country in the world those in charge turn there back on the people who need the most.Whils the wealthy get wealthier and everyone else works for less and less.Blocking bills in congress because you dont want to vote on an Obama jobs bill is totally unacceptable.That tells me those who do nothing love their donors more than their own country.I hope this reaches you I believe you have the power and finances to get the word out and get all those who do nothing voted out.Democrats and Republicans.Please Mr Flynt make it known get on tv go out to the protest.Talk to John Boehner and Eric Cantor and Mitch McConnell and the President.Tell them from me we want action or there will be stories out there to their wives and family.That is the only way these guys will understand.Sincerely,A concerned citizen in Portland,Oregon