Tpmuckraker reports that Senator Durbin will introduce bill for public financing of campaigns

[flpoljunkie]

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/002312.php

Top Dem Wants Public Campaign Financing

By Paul Kiel - January 9, 2007, 5:07 PM

We all knew this was supposed to be a new era of government with the Democratic majority blah blah blah. But public financing for elections? Really?

On the Senate floor today, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), while speaking about the Dems' ethics package, said that the next logical step is public financing, and that he would be introducing such a bill in a matter of weeks. (We're still trying to get a record of Durbin's exact remarks.)

Although the details of the legislation are still being pounded out, David Donnelly of the Public Campaign Action Fund said that Durbin's bill would probably be modeled on the Arizona and Maine laws "which are working very well." In Maine, candidates who participate in the program have to begin by demonstrating community support by "collecting a minimum number of $5 checks or money orders payable to the Maine Clean Election Fund (qualifying contributions). After a candidate begins to receive MCEA funds from the State, he or she cannot accept private contributions," according to the Maine Ethics Commission.

This the sort of thing that often gets laughed off as pie-in-the-sky legislating. But with the Senate's #2 pushing for it, might the story be different this time around?

[MasonJar]

1. What a step forward that would be! Then get back to paper ballots

and the democracy might be saved.

[Vincardog]

2. If we have really taken control of the government it has to happen.

We have to have paper ballots random, audits of the results
and PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTONS.
That way we can kick the parasitic corporations out of our government.

[flpoljunkie]

3. Tell your Representatives you want Clean Elections campaign reform passed now.

Click the link below to send them a message now!

http://ga3.org/campaign/congressontrack?rk=H1M1gSE1R49xE

Dear Member of Congress,

Welcome back to a new session of Congress! I was encouraged to see that you and your fellow members of Congress promise to make ethics reform a top priority in 2007. Cutting ties between lobbyists and lawmakers by banning lobbyist-funded travel and meals is a good first step, but the only way to address the problem of money in politics in Washington is to provide an alternative choice to the chase for campaign cash by passing full public financing of elections.

All together, seven states and two municipalities have passed public financing laws--also known as Clean Elections. Clean Elections makes elections about voters and not how much cash a candidate can raise. Clean Elections provides full public funding to candidates who qualify and agree to forgo private contributions as well as abide by strict spending limits.

It's time to end the campaign money chase and put power in the hands of citizens to elect representatives without interference from special interest lobbyists and big-money donors. I hope you will take a leadership role in the 110th Congress to implement Clean Elections campaign reform.

[AndyA]

4. Oh my goodness! Would this be a dream come true, or what?

This is the first big step toward getting really good people into public service. I sure hope this is true, I think this is very much needed! :thumbsup:

[crickets]

5. K & R nt

[donkeyotay]

6. Now you're talkin!

Corps aren't just buying speech, they're buying legislation. If we can't get this done, nothing will get better.