Comments on Advance Indiana™: What About Ethics Reform For Indianapolis?

D.I., shortening the campaign calendar, if that we...

2010-01-19T20:26:17.992-05:00

D.I., shortening the campaign calendar, if that were even possible, would benefit those who have name recognition already (i.e. usually incumbents) or who could buy name recognition in a short period of time by advertising. It does not help the underfunded candidate...just the opposite.

You want to look at something that will help level the playing field, address the franking privilege and other avenues by which elected officials communicate with the public at the public's expense.

That's what I heard, Melyssa. Ballard apparent...

2010-01-19T17:15:59.433-05:00

That's what I heard, Melyssa. Ballard apparently has no shame.

Didn't you report a while back that Ballard wa...

2010-01-19T16:28:42.854-05:00

Didn't you report a while back that Ballard was asking contractors to pony up for fancy $5000 private dinners with him or am I remembering wrong?

What is needed is a shortening of the campaign cyc...

2010-01-19T15:54:46.977-05:00

What is needed is a shortening of the campaign cycle to 30 or maybe 60 days.

As it is, it takes millions of dollars to flood all media for a year (sometimes longer) with a candidate's propaganda. That keeps the little guy from having a fair shake.

Besides, shouldn't a candidate be able to articulate their message in that amount of time?

But to the aspect of campaign financing, I would like for the total amount a candidate can amass in campaign funds to be limited to the salary they'd earn once they complete their term in office.

Oh, I could go with a multiplier of maybe 1.5x to 2x. But it's absurd to have candidates spending $8 million for a position that pays $400k. With their up-front gross financial imbalance, why are we surprised when they foist the same insane imbalances onto our backs through their official duties?

When you look at where we've been headed under...

2010-01-19T13:35:45.744-05:00

When you look at where we've been headed under the current system, you have to look at all avenues to curtail the influence of political contributions on the system. I think that you cannot underestimate the impact of limiting the influence of people who are doing business with the government. No free speech concern as far as I'm concerned.

Patriot Paul - I'd say that 'political exp...

2010-01-19T13:29:57.266-05:00

Patriot Paul - I'd say that 'political expression' and freedom of speech are the arguments some businesses would put forward to the Courts. But the bottom line is that these contributions turn one person, one vote into one dollar, one vote.

I understand and share the thrust of what you'...

2010-01-19T12:14:17.935-05:00

I understand and share the thrust of what you're saying. At the same time, there's something about banning political contributions from targeted groups (state contractors), that goes against the grain of political expression. Thoughts?