- Elections and Campaign Finance -
The Pennsylvania Constitution
requires that all elections shall be "free and equal," and election laws
must be reformed to comply with this mandate. I will work to level
the playing field for all candidates of all parties, and to dispel the
myth of the "two-party" system. The nomination process must be identical
for all parties and candidates, and filing fees eliminated.
The Pennsylvania Legislature has created a campaign finance system
designed to make it easy for the two dominant parties to cherry-pick their
candidates, win elections, and ensure incumbency.
The incumbents representing Lebanon County receive campaign
money from political action committees (PACs) in Harrisburg, Allentown,
Pittsburgh; they even receive contributions from unions and PACs in Ohio
and New York City.
This means that People From Outside of Lebanon County and
Outside of Pennsylvania are Influencing OUR Elections with money.
Lots of money. It is legal, but it is most certainly wrong.
I will introduce legislation to prohibit campaign contributions to candidates
from people who are not eligible to vote for the candidate.
This will be a difficult challenge, but it is a necessary
step if you want honest, representative government.
Only Citizens of Pennsylvania
have the right to influence or participate in our elections, and only for
the candidates of their respective districts; therefore all other entities
(including foreigners, trade unions, businesses or corporations) may not
contribute in any way to the electoral process.
Only citizens who are eligible to vote for a candidate, including
the candidate, may contribute to that candidates' campaign, not exceeding
an amount prescribed by law. Citizens may voluntarily organize and
contribute through advocacy groups, as long as the group does not redirect
money from one citizen to any candidate which that contributor is not eligible
to vote for.
There must be no limitation on issue advocacy, including publication
of an office holder's voting record or party platform, or "grass-roots"
activities such as phone banks and pamphlet distribution. A group
with a regular publication may include in that publication, without limitation,
any editorial or voter guide.
Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Congress to establish massive public
funding for political campaigns, but only for major party candidates. This would
be a crime of epic proportions. Rather than publicly financed incentives,
the State should publish and broadcast a series of candidate forums and position
papers, providing equal coverage to candidates of all parties.
2006 Campaign Home
