by A.W. Berry

Created on: October 28, 2009   Last Updated: October 30, 2009

Hypothetically, to change the nation's campaign system or its underlying motives without first being more cognizant of the most effective means by which to implement reform and the probable consequences of that reform would be unwise. Being able to collectively verify and corroborate certain aspects of campaign finance reform would be necessary as omitting important details such as the relevance to a massive amount of people's lives and their perception of the Government and its President would be unideal.

If the case were such that 'the best interest' of the people were to be considered, the first step in changing the nation's campaign system might be to define what 'best interest' actually is; and what of the multiple 'best interests' that would likely emerge? Thus, answering this question is answering a loaded question that also ask what do you think America's best interest actually is? The answer to that question alone could, and has filled volumes of books, and has been contemplated since the inception of our nation.

Assuming knowledge is a pre-condition, which might be a leap of faith for the world of politics, the next best thing to do might be to take a look at the nation's campaign finance system, understand it, analyze it and then arrive at alternatives. The act of, and end result of 'knowing' the campaign finance can be as simple or as complicated as one makes it. If one's goal is to obfuscate with complication and bureaucracy, then naturally it should be made difficult to understand.

Politicians who can make the most of limited campaign finances and win are more likely the ones who can really manage money well. Since money is a big part of what currently makes the human economy function, competition among politicians that worry about how much money they have to market themselves shifts agendas and possibly short changes the American people even under a guise of 'the best interest'. Thus, limiting campaign finances might be a good idea in that case.

The details and process of the campaign finance system is elaborate, dynamic, diverse and sometimes logically incongruent. Institutes, organizations, academics and many others weigh in on the campaign finance process regularly. If equal competition among politicians is within the best interest of the American people, then a range of limitations on access to campaign financing may be a good idea. A campaign finance pool from which all candidates equally draw creates equal competition. However, an exact equality

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