But I can't stop thinking about this idea and how much it could have in impact on the political future of our country.
When it comes to what the job of a politician is, things need to change.
Campaign Financing Reform
Having little to no money shouldn't stop people from wanting to run for office. Large outside sources of money should have no place in political campaigns. Our politicians should not be bought or bribed. The amount of money that is raised and spent on campaigns is too high. That money could be spent in so many other areas that are deeply in need.
My suggestion is a one-time campaign grant that is provided to each individual running for office. I suppose that price could change based on which office, geographical location, etc. If you run for office, you are given this money to campaign. If you win or lose, you don't pay it back. And here's the catch - this is the only money you're allowed to spend on campaigning.
No additional fundraising, no asking for donations, no accepting money from lobbyist organizations. No outside groups would be allowed to do any additional campaigning for you either. No PACs. Your campaign is run by your team alone and alone with this grant money. Any additional fundraising or money spent would mean immediate removal from the ballot.
Campaign Timing Reform
You might ask how could we limit such things as how much money someone spends? Well I believe that the amount of campaigning that takes places has gotten absolutely absurd. We don't need presidential campaigns that happen for 2+ years. We do need any campaigns that happen longer than 6 months! Maybe not even longer than 3 months! Yes, really.
Most people strictly vote by party. Those that are undecided should be making their decision off of the issues and how that politician would respond. Not months of smear campaign ads or nonsense rallies to "drum up support". I'm hesitant to say they should be restricted to only talking about the issues, but enough with the negative ads, the lies, the bashing of your opponent. It does absolutely no good to anyone.
I think we set a time, a certain number of months before the election and it is only during those months, candidates are allowed to campaign. No events outside these dates, no ads, no yard signs, nothing that could be considered campaigning or gathering support. There could be a timeline. By this date, you file to run. On this date you receive your grant and start prepping your campaign. On this date, you campaign becomes active and you can go public. On this date, all campaigning ends. On this date, we vote. Any additional campaigning outside of the set times and dates would result in immediate removal from the ballot.
Discussing the Issues
During this limited campaign time, candidates should make clear their stance on various issues. A website that clearly outlines their thoughts and positions. There should be (depending on the office) a set number of town halls, not for the candidate to rally supports, but to be available to ask questions from potential constituents. There should be at least one (more depending on office again) debate between candidates. This is the information voters want. Truthful answers, no spinning, no bullshit.
Term Limits
Yes, there need to be term limits in place for every office. There is something to be said for experience, but there is also something to be said for new blood. That term limit could again depend on the office, but its long past time to put some term limits in place.
Let's think for a moment how all this could change the political landscape. Politicians wouldn't be forced to spend months on the road campaigning and trying to raise money. They could be in their office, doing the work we elected them to do. With term limits, again, the pressure to campaign for re-election disappears. They can focus on the job they were elected to do. Serving the people. Endless buckets of money would no longer be spent on smear campaign ads. Politicians wouldn't be bought by lobbyists. They can focus on the job they were elected to do and actually do the job in the best interest of those people that elected them. How much of a difference could all of this make?
Additionally, voting is the most important civic duty for Americans. Election Day should be a National Holiday. Everyone should automatically be registered to vote when they turn 18 and there should be no purging of voter registration due to "inactivity". Death, obviously, yes. There should be an adequate number of polling places depending on the area's population. There should be no restrictions in place to prevent people from voting. It is our most important right. Everyone should have the opportunity to vote.
I could also rant about the need to end our two-party system and rigged gerrymandering... but I feel like those could each have a post of their own.
It's time for some sort of change in politics. These are just some of my ideas.
