TITLE

People changing the money & politics equation

AUTHOR(S)

Cain, Becky

PUB. DATE

September 1995

SOURCE

Social Policy;Fall95, Vol. 26 Issue 1, p6

SOURCE TYPE

Academic Journal

DOC. TYPE

Article

ABSTRACT

This article offers views on how to make campaign finance reform in the U.S. a reality as of 1995. According to the author, the failure of the U.S. Congress to pass meaningful reform suggests that it is time for the movement for campaign finance reform in the U.S. to reassess its strategy. She relates that in 1994, the issue of campaign finance reform, unlike term limits or the balanced budget amendment, was not a deciding issue at the ballot box; few voters based their votes for candidates on their position on campaign finance reform. Senators and Representatives have had no reason to alter the system that helped get them into office, and the public's lack of engagement has allowed members of Congress to bury reform measures in unmarked graves. In other words, according to the author, there is no political will for reform. In a developing a news strategy, the author suggests that the movement for campaign finance reform must first acknowledge that unless the public is tuned into the debate and actively engaged, reform efforts are doomed to fail. According to her, what is needed is action is action on two levels: 1) developing campaign finance reform in the crucible of state governments; and 2) articulating a public voice on campaign finance reform.

ACCESSION #

9511075401

Tags: CAMPAIGN funds;  LEGISLATION;  LEGISLATIVE amendments;  SOCIAL movements;  POLITICAL candidates;  STATE governments

 

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