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Why don't we also force everyone to reveal who they voted for? By requiring every single donation to be public we are sacrificing the right to privacy of many voters. The vast majority of citizens donate less then $200 and should be able to keep their chosen candidate a private matter. We live in a digital age and if these records are made public people can search through them at will. Maybe liberal employers will look down upon conservative employees, or the other way around.

According to CFI (http://www.cfinst.org/pr/prRe lease.aspx?ReleaseID=12) 35% of Kerry's donations in 2004 were from donations under $200. Bush had 27% under $200. Because these donations are in the minority, there is little chance someone would try to slip in extra money to commit fraud by this method. By publicizing the small donations we wouldn't be helping to stop fraud, but instead publicizing the common man's candidate of choice.

I don't think a particular candidate isn't thankful for a donation simply because they don't publicly announce their gratitude. The candidates are thankful for every donation they get. I will be more likely to donate to a campaign if I know my candidate of choice won't be available to future employers. I won't worry about whether that candidate puts my name on his webpage and gives thanks.

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