Brunswick Beacon, 05.09.24
The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (better known as the McCain-Feingold Act) attempted to curb the influence of soft and dark money in our elections. Less than 10 years later, the court partially overturned it in the Citizens United decision. The bitter fruits of that poison tree are being sown all around us in the proliferation of disinformation, misinformation and lies. The quest for money to build and sustain political power has resulted in a polarized society and a government that largely places the needs of its elected officials over those of the constituents they were elected to serve.
But I come to praise democracy, not to bury it. To that end, I offer the following modest proposal: Term Limits for the elected positions of Chief Executive (e.g. President, Governor), US Senate, US House, and all State Houses and for appointed judges at all federal courts and at the highest state courts. I propose two terms for Chief Executives and US Senators and three terms for elected representatives in the US House and State Houses. For federal judges, I recommend a seven-year limit and for SCOTUS and state equivalents, a limit of 10 years.
Federal Election Administration: The Federal Election Commission (FEC) should fund and run elections for national offices. Candidates who meet requirements will each be given identical funding to spend as they wish, and cannot use any other funds (personal, donated, corporate nor special interest) under penalty of disqualification.
The election “season” would begin on Labor Day and end on Election Day. No campaigning of any type would be permitted outside of those dates. This will end the undue influence of corporations and special interests in our elections, allow more candidates to participate, and take away the money advantage so that candidates will run on their ideas and qualifications.
Traditionally, lawmakers do not enact restrictions on themselves. However, these are measures that need to be given serious consideration.
Janine Sacramone
Leland