Clean Elections: Control How You Pay for Politics

I love it when people tell me, "I dont want my tax dollars paying for politicians campaigns." That means I get to ask them the real question, "Who do you want to pay for them, then?" The response is usually a quizzical stare.

West Virginians dont seem to realize that their tax dollars will pay for the people they elect one way or another. In the 2004 election cycle, less than one percent of West Virginians contributed to any state candidates campaign. Yet millions of dollars were spent. Where does the public think the money came from since it obviously didnt come from them?

The real decision isnt whether citizens pay for campaigns, but how we pay. Maine, Arizona, and Connecticut have taken the high road and are being rewarded by public campaign financing systems. Why should West Virginias public policy be held hostage by big donors to our legislators campaigns?

The recent gambling legislation is a pertinent example. Whatever ones position on the issue, one can marvel at the money that flowed around it. According to the most recent data from the Peoples Election Reform Coalition (PERC), contributions from the gambling industry went up a startling 400 percent during the 2006 election cycle. No surprise that they got their legislation.

And why was the real promise of the 2003 legislation requiring our state to negotiate directly with drug companies for lower prices never realized? Take a look at the open wallets of the pharmaceutical industry and its fleet of lobbyists.

If we want good schools for our children, health care for all, a clean and non-toxic environment, and greater economic diversity, then we must fund our election campaigns differently.

The states well-entrenched special interests argue that it is a public good that we allow them to continue paying for our elections. Why burden ourselves? Why spend the five or six dollars per household it would cost to have the citizens pay for election campaigns?

Weve heard their line: Ridiculous use of taxpayer money welfare for politicians! We shouldnt be surprised by their vehemence. They are profiting nicely from the status quo, thank you. They get access, influence, and special treatment in return for their contributions. And the voters continue to lose, in terms of both policy and accountability. But the monied interests just smile at our disillusionment. They would like nothing better than for us to stay home, shut up, and not even bother to vote.

West Virginians are already paying for our states political campaigns. Wouldnt we be smarter to spend a few million dollars per election cycle for public financing? Or will we continue to spend mega-millions benefiting the few who currently foot the bills?

Versions of this article appeared in the Charleston Gazette and the Pocahontas Times.