[tenn2005]

There is a way that we can clean up our Government once and for all. However, the Congress would never even consider, let alone pass, such a law. The only way would be for the people of America to force it on them by a national referendum. Unfortunately, I doubt that that will happen either. Nevertheless it doesn't hurt to dream that some day America might return to its historical and Constitutional foundation. The legislation of three simple rules would return the power of the government to We The People.

Rule #1. Only people eligible to vote are allowed to give money to a political candidate.

Rule #2. A person can only give money to a political candidate for whom he or she is eligible to vote.

Rule #3. A reasonable limit would be set on the amount of money that an individual could give.

For a complete consideration of the results of these three simple rules see:

http://www.nationalmorality.com/index_files/Page934.htm

[EternalVigilance]

I disagree with all three of your points.

Free Americans should be able to give as much money as they want to any political candidate they want.

The only thing necessary in the way of 'restriction' is public reporting...so that the American people can judge for themselves "who is 'bought' by whom".

[kerryusama04]

There is a way that we can clean up our Government once and for all.

Term limits is the only way. 12 years in Congress, tops. Some of these guys have been in office longer than I have been breathing. If they haven't gotten done whatever they got elected to do by now, they are failures and need to move on.

[Iam1ru1-2]

THREE SIMPLE RULES

[kerryusama04]

Rule #1. Only people eligible to vote are allowed to give money to a political candidate.

Disagree - In a republic we need parties and caucuses in order to move a coherent national agenda.

Rule #2. A person can only give money to a political candidate for whom he or she is eligible to vote.

disagree - lobbying and PACS are constitutional and necessary.

Rule #3. A reasonable limit would be set on the amount of money that an individual could give.

Disagree - Money is not the problem, a lack of character is. Our country is not socialist.

The government was designed with an inheriten chaotic nature. With these fossils sitting in Washington for, in some cases, over 4 decades, the Good 'ol boy network is in full effect. Being a representative was not intended to be a full time job and people were't supposed to want to make a career out of it.

I read your article. It is well thought out, but I reject the premise. Money is not the problem, transparency, attrition, and charachter is.

[Don Joe]

Rule #1. Only people eligible to vote are allowed to give money to a political candidate.

Let's revise that so that only people who are eligible to vote LEGALLY are allowed to give money to a political candidate. (Similar qualification should also apply to item #2 in the list.)

Thanks to the travesty of "Motor-Voter", there are millions of people who are "eligible to vote" who aren't even legally eligible to be in the country!

This is serious stuff!

The "Illegal Bloc" may very well be large enough to funcion as a swing-vote!

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Rule #1. Only people eligible to vote are allowed to give money to a political candidate.

Rule #2. A person can only give money to a political candidate for whom he or she is eligible to vote.

Rule #3. A reasonable limit would be set on the amount of money that an individual could give.

If applied fairly, these rules would have to count newspaper coverage of candidates and campaigns as political donations. And that would repeal the First Amendment.