The People News, a free newspaper serving Cleveland Tennessee (TN) and Bradley County Tennessee (Tn).





Of Bradley County Tn.


APRIL  2006

                            The People News, a free newspaper serving Cleveland and Bradley County Tn.

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Going After the Ethically-Minded Vote

by JC Bowman

Campaign finance reform is needed at every level of government, and is particularly critical at the state level. The amount of money pouring into political campaigns has grown exponentially. Reform is essential to keep the costs of running for office affordable for the average citizen. If I were a candidate in 2006, my slogan would be "I am going after the ethically-minded vote."

It is a rare day when you see me quote Bill Moyers, but I agree with his point: "People who have more money should be free to buy more cars, more homes, more vacations, and more gizmos than the rest of us. They should not be able to buy more democracy." Now do not get me wrong, I am not advocating passing a law requiring prosperity to be "equally distributed" nor am I simply a closet Marxist preaching "from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs." I simply think we need to bend over backwards to ensure that all citizens have a government that is as close as possible to their needs and they feel like they are treated fairly by their government.

One of the greatest changes that needs to occur in government is full and immediate disclosure of all political donations. Mandatory disclosure of the amounts and sources of political contributions enables the voters themselves, aided by an alert media, to follow the money and hold their government leaders accountable to excessive influence. Such disclosure is an extremely powerful and accessible tool such as the Internet.

It is beyond time to work and end special interest domination in the Volunteer State's election campaigns--especially at the state and local level. If you are a candidate or elected official you must represent ALL the people, not the select few. We cannot expect ethics reform unless candidates for state and local office voluntarily report and take steps beyond what the law requires while they are seeking office. Voters need to expect higher standards. People understand that politicians only respond. Like Ronald Reagan used to say, "If you cannot make them see the light, make them feel the heat."

It is a heartbreaking testimony to American voters who believe the political system is failing them because special interest money is corrupting the process giving unfair advantages to the wealthy or well-connected. You hear it all the time- that people do not participate in government because they

J C Bowman

-J. C. Bowman, a native of Cleveland, is a well informed and outspoken conservative educator. Is a freelance public policy analyst who resides in Tallahassee, Florida. Prior to this, he was Director for the Center for Education Innovation at Florida State University.  He served as the Director for the Florida Department of Education Choice Office and as the Chief Policy Analyst of the Education Policy Unit for Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

E-mail: flapolicy@hotmail.com


Website: www.policyexperts.net

think the deck is stacked against them. The criticism against wealthy citizens or community officials' spouses/children/relatives is often that they get preferential jobs or are not subjected to the same rules that apply to the rest of us because the system favors them. It angers the general population. Andrew Jackson said: 'to the victor goes the spoils." But there is another side to that issue, I will address at a later date. I just caution elected leaders or those who seek office to go beyond what the law requires to even avoid the appearance of any impropriety. Candidates and officials should strongly consider self-imposing contribution limits and enhance their financial disclosures, before voters demand laws that require them to do it.

We have heard much recently of the Hatch Act. I am no expert in this area, but I do know many government employees are incorrectly told that they cannot engage in any political activity at, or outside, the workplace because of the Hatch Act. Government offices and universities are often obsessed with avoiding "problems," and their over-cautious pronouncements may infringe upon an individuals right as a citizen. A good starting point would be to read http://www.osc.gov/ha_fed.htm


--J. C. Bowman is a public policy analyst who resides in Tallahassee, Florida.
He can be reached by email at:

flapolicy@hotmail.com.
 

Visit his website at:
www.policyexperts.net

.

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