by Darrin A Yarbrough

Created on: April 08, 2009   Last Updated: April 09, 2009

Introducing spending limits on political campaigns could be the best equalizing solution for eliminating disparities in candidates running for office. If all political candidates were only allowed to spend a predetermined amount of money on their campaigns, the public could then receive the equivalent degree of exposure presented by each candidate. This should be the real objective, equal exposure by all candidates that is. By insuring that all candidates receive the exact same platform in which to present their political position, the public would then receive the equivalent amount of information about each candidate.

By standardizing campaign platforms, the focus becomes on equal exposure for presentation of issues to the public thereby creating a level playing field for candidates to present their positions on issues. Furthermore, all candidates have this very same opportunity to be exposed to the public creating a greater cross section of leaders to choose from. This will enable the people to determine the best possible leadership for our government chosen from all candidates equally, not merely from those most financially capable of manipulating the system to their advantage despite the will of the people.

For the purposes of representation, free enterprise is not meant to mean manipulation of the system for personal gain despite the wishes of the people. Free enterprise means manipulation of the system for the benefit of profit and/or gain within the guidelines of the system. The only way those guidelines can be equitable and beneficial for the entire commonwealth is by selection of leaders capable of insuring the rules of the republic are representative of the public and not some manifestation manipulated by some individuals experienced in deception.

Placing spending limits on political campaigns really indicates another underlying desire. The desire for equal opportunity for exposure, therefore, along with spending limits is the need for additional regulations dictating and outlining the process in order to insure that every candidate has an equal opportunity to convey information regarding his or her position on specific political issues.

Opponents of such legislation would argue that this type of regulation would be extreme. This would in fact be correct if people would not attempt to test the ethical foundations of the system. This test stems from the unspoken universal double standard that suggests that everything is legal unless you are caught. This

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>