by Greg Dunn

Created on: June 09, 2009   Last Updated: July 09, 2009

To take back our government, so it represents the people it is elected to represent rather than the politicians own self interests, two things must occur. First, there must be a massive overhaul and reform of campaign finance laws. Second, nationally elected offices must have term limits. Without these two changes, politicians will stay very self-interested to preserve their office and financial gains.

Every election year, with Congress approval around 30% or below, you will hear the call across the Nation to "Throw the bums out!" Yet, the incumbent will be reelected 92 to 96 percent of the time. It seems everyone wants to throw everyone else's bums out, but not theirs. This is because of the financial power of the incumbent. Their election treasure chest grows via corporations, special interests groups and lobbyists during their elected term. The politician has to guard his/her self-interests by protecting those who "donate" to them. In return for their political influence or vote, the receive much needed funds to support a reelection campaign.

The average spent per race in the 2008 elections in the House of Representatives was over 1.3 million dollars. For each Senate seat, the average cost was over 11 million dollars. The amount of money to be raised by a challenger to be competitive is almost incomprehensible and unsurmountable. Especially considering in 2008, over 15,000 lobbyists spent 3.27 billion dollars lobbying Congress and Federal Agencies. For the 2008 elections, direct financial contributions from lobbyists, their employers and Political Action Committees were $169.9 million to incumbents, $33.4 million, to open seats and $16.1 million went to challengers. This is a 10 - 1 financial edge to the incumbent.

It is a given now-a-days, that for someone to run for a national office, they have to be wealthy. Very wealthy. Once in office, the wealthy usually looks out for the wealthy and their interests. It is really common sense. Are you going to be influenced to vote on an upcoming pharmaceutical bill by a voter who donates $25 or a PAC who donated $100,000? Or who might be offering you a multi-million dollar job once you leave office.

The only way to fight this is to put candidates on a more equal financial pedestal. First, the incumbent will always have an edge due to name recognition. By putting them on a more equal financial footing, it will take the incentive out of the elected individual of having their vote bought. The elections would become an election of issues, rather than who has the most money. A massive overhaul for campaign finance is needed for federal elected offices.

Another way to address this issue is through term limits. There is no reason why anyone should hold the same elected office for over 20 years. This allows for powerful kingdoms to be built. It encourages long time ties with groups that want to influence votes. Individuals who serve decades in an office, tend to forget the original reason of why they were called to serve. Term limits would force lobbyist to find new blood to donate and takeaway the appearance of their influence.

Our founding fathers did not foresee the power of the corporation or the federal government. It is time; we bring back America to its rightful owner, its CITIZENS!

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