Public Campaign Financing a Focus for Catholic Women

OVECs Faith-Based Liaison Carol Warren was part of a panel at the June 21 Annual Conference for the WV Council of Catholic Women.

The focus of the gathering, attended by about 50 women, was Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.

This is a program of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops during election years that encourages people to think carefully about various issues in our national life and to exercise their right to vote.

Public campaign financing fit into the discussion extremely well, because it would allow more people with good ideas to run for office. It would give voters more choices and require more accountability from their legislators. And, Warren noted, people will have greater input into policy decisions that directly affect their lives.

Many participants at the conference heard about our states public campaign financing proposal for the first time and considered it to be an important vehicle for encouraging and strengthening democratic participation.

Sister Ellen Dunn, O.P., noted that she was appalled by the amounts of money being spent on political campaigns this year.

She believes that flooding campaigns with money is an injustice, both in terms of individuals who wish to run for office and the real needs of people.

"I would like to see that much money spent to provide for the people," she says. "And the money involved directly influences who is able to run for office. I would like the government to fund campaigns appropriately for all elections, in ways that are more focused and contained and that allow more people to participate."

Let the people say, "Amen!"