[Iowa-dx] PUBLIC CITIZEN: The Fair Elections Now Act

[Libris Fidelis]

The following alert notification does not talk about the drain on the
treasury due to the present illegal war going on:
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PUBLIC CITIZEN

Cleaning Up Washington

March 20, 2007

Dear Ronald Libris Fidelis,

I'm writing to introduce you to an exciting new bill to clean up Congress.

Today, Senators Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Arlen Specter (R-Pa.)
announced a bill to establish funds for federal elections for the Senate:
the Fair Elections Now Act.  We are celebrating the official unveiling of
this ultimate solution to the problems of money in politics with you - our
closest reform allies. This bold and important bill transforms elections for
the U.S. Senate from a business enterprise into a contest of ideas
focusing on our nation's challenges.

As you are well aware, the cost of campaigns for Senate (and all other
offices) is out-of-sight.  Over the last past three election cycles, the
average cost of the 10 most expensive Senate races has more than
doubled, from $16.9 million in 2002 to $34.9 million in 2006.  This
escalation in costs continues today, and candidates will have to spend
more and more time trying to raise enough money to compete.  We
cannot allow our government to keep spiraling out of the hands of
ordinary Americans.

In contrast, the Fair Elections Now Act would create a voluntary system
through which participating candidates - those who establish their
credibility by collecting enough qualifying contributions and who then
pledge not to accept private contributions - would receive public funds
for the primary and general elections.  Participants would also be eligible
for free media vouchers and discounted commercial advertising rates.
The bill is patterned on successful efforts to reduce the impact of money
on the election process in Arizona, Maine, and elsewhere.

Public funding of congressional elections would be a huge break for the
American taxpayer. It would cost just a fraction of one percent of the
annual federal budget. But it would produce lawmakers who would not
feel obligated to repay donors with costly tax loopholes, special earmarks
and other boondoggles that drain billions of taxpayer dollars from the
Treasury.  This will lower our gas prices, the cost of prescription drugs
and student loans - all inflated by the special corporate giveaways served
up by lobbyists and well-heeled contributors.

The only lasting antidote to the corrupting influence that comes with
privately funded elections is to publicly fund them with a system of fair
and clean elections.

The Fair Elections Now Act will:

Break the nexus between big money and our elected officials that drains
   taxpayer money from the Treasury.
Provide the only constitutional way to address the out-of-control
   spending on campaigns.
Give voters more choice at the polls - allowing good candidates of
   modest means to run to serve in the Senate.
Free candidates from the money chase so that they can focus on talking
   with and working for voters, not fundraisers.
Restore the public trust in elected officials.

Please contact me if you are ready to help get this bill passed at
congress@citizen.org (please use "Fair Elections" in the subject line).  If
you'd like to learn more, visit the Fair Elections section of our website.
Also, please join our online conversation about Fair Elections on our newly
renovated Watchdog Blog.

I hope we can count on your advice, suggestions and potential support.
Together we can clean up Washington and make our Congress more
accountable to us.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Best,

Angela Canterbury

Field and Outreach Director
Public Citizen's Congress Watch
congress@citizen.org

P.S. If you are having trouble viewing the links above, visit: 
http://www.cleanupwashington.org/fairelections/

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