Reforming the Election Process

I n thinking about this week-long non-stop analysis and discussion of the Congressman Foley apparent long-standing homosexual and possible pedophilic behavior I have come to the conclusion that maybe what is needed is some serious reform of our entire election process. I have come to the conclusion that power corrupts. For one thing some our elected officials are in power much too long. Below are a few ideas to consider in reforming our present election system or renewing the system that worked much better in times past.

The following are eight steps or action items or ideas that could be incorporate into an election reform package that might be considered by Congress down the road.

1. INCREASED THIRD PARTY PARTICIPATION

Make it easier, not harder for third parties to participate in the election process. A strong third party or two would provide more choice and make the races more competitive to the electorate. Standardize the requirements for all candidates. Allow at least three primary elections, one for Dems, one for GOP and one for Independents. Perhaps the top 10 parties and their candidates would all appear on the ballot.

More choices are needful. Just look at the two choices we have for the U.S. Senate race in Ohio. One candidate is a Kucinich-Kennedy-Boxer frothing liberal. The Democratic candidate, Sherrod Brown, tows the party line with the likes of Howard Dean, Ted Kennedy, Barbara Boxer and Nancy Pelosi. His voting record shows his extreme liberal positions on abortion, homosexuality, lack of support for the war on terror, very pro-union especially the NEA and its corruption of our schools.

The other candidate, Mike DeWine, is recognized as being a moderate-conservative. However, he is more of a lukewarm conservative, neither hot nor cold. He is one who committed the almost unpardonable sin. He aligned himself with McCain’s “Gang of 14” to block the possible Republican breaking of the filibuster against President Bush’s judicial nominees. He compromised and sold out conservatives on this one. He redeems himself somewhat with a fairly strong stand on such social issues as protecting one-man, one-woman marriage and opposition to abortion. Both candidates stink on the immigration issue, both seem to favor amnesty, which angers me.

But how do you break the two party control of the system? How do you encourage the ability of a third party to obtain ballot access? How do you curtain the tremendous advantage that the Dems and GOP have as far as campaign financing? How do you even the playing field?

2. PUT A CAP ON CAMPAIGN SPENDING

One idea might be to put a limitation on each office. For example:

U.S. Senate - $250,000 maximum per candidate
U.S. Congress - $100,000 maximum per candidate

3. REPEAL THE 17TH AMENDMENT

Repeal of the 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution would allow the state legislatures to vote their Senators. There was a reason our visionary Forefathers chose to set up the Senate this way. I do not think the state legislatures would continue to vote some of our entrenched Senators election after election.

4. STANDARDIZE VOTER IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

In this day and age it is just plain insanity to not require asking for picture I.D.s. They do that at the Bureau of Motor vehicles, making any purchase by check, using the local library, etc. Anyone can obtain a picture I.D. from the state. The picture should match the voter and the address on the identification should match the address listed on the voting record of registered voters. Is it that someone wants to be able to vote multiple times or to have an unregistered voter or a dead voter vote? This is a no-brainer that should be in place across the country by 2008.

5. STOP ABUSES OF MCCAIN CAMPAIGN “REFORM” LAW

Get rid of McCain's Campaign Reform Act of 2002. It has created a loophole for Section 527 political organizations to circumvent the laws and channel wealthy special interests through these organizations for the benefit of a candidate or a party. Let’s get rid of the law and let’s get rid of McCain while we are at it!

6. TERM LIMITS FOR EVERYONE

This would cause a Kennedy, a Byrd, a McCain to have to get real jobs . . . Perhaps the following would be the limit of terms:

* U.S. Senator –one 6 year term *** Personally I would like to see our elected representatives in the state legislatures elect the U.S. Senators.

* U.S. Congressman – three 2 year terms. State Governors – 2 4 year terms.

* Perhaps we should even place a limit of 10 years on appointed Supreme Court justices.

7. LOOKING FOR A COALITION OF LEADERS

Form a bipartisan, across the issues coalition of election reform supporters to move the election reform process forward. How about a coalition of groups, right & left across the issues? Is there any legislator(s) who has made a point of limiting his/her term and feels strongly about term limits that might lead such an effort?

8. ELECTION REFORM LEGISLATION

Identify some group or groups who would be willing to draft a comprehensive election reform bill. Identify some legislator(s) who believe in term limits and various other reform measures and ask them to sponsor the bill and to implement it before the 2008 election.

CONCLUSION

We need to do something about the election process, now.

Every time I see or hear an Arlen “What A” Spectacle or a Ted “Save Myself First, Heck with Mary Jo” Kennedy or a John “I was(am) a P.O.W. (Primarily Obstructing W)” McCain or a John “I was a humble & decorated Vietnam War hero, but you don't believe me” Kerry I think how nice it would be not to have to hear or see these characters drone on and on as if they knew what they were talking about or that they cared about their constituents.