[upchuck]

I have preferred for a long time a preset amount of money, given to the politico by the government to spend anyway they want to get elected. ie, the money must be spent on stuff directly tied to their getting elected.

$50K for Rep or Senate seat
$100K for VP
$150K for Pres

Those amounts would be given out for both the primaries and the actual election. And that is the only cash they get. For a Rep or Senator, all the cash must be spent within their district. Any left over after the election goes back to the government.

And no loans. If I've got a very safe seat, I can't take some of my money and give it to another candidate.

The amounts have been kept low on purpose to encourage quick, effective campaigns.

Consider: No more DNC, RNC, moveon,org, no more meddling in local campaigns, etc.

This will never happen as the "big money" donors would squash it like a bug. But it is food for thought.

And while we're at it, let's pass term limits also.

[muawiyah]

The second you put limits on donors and donations you end up with nothing but the big money boys running everything.

Remember, they hire folks who figure out how to get around the law. A poor man doesn't have such resources.