The American Political Reform Act

Never heard of it? Well your about to, it is my three part solution to give power back to the people. We are supposed to be a democracy, sadly that definition hasn't applied for some time. So here are three common sense ideas to give the government back to the people.

First, Total reform of the way money currently influences our political system. Legislation is needed to destroy the impact of the "Citizens United" case. Any business, manufacturing, corporate, or labor organization should not be recognized as "people" and thus be banned from contributing to political campaigns, candidates, or media produced on their behalf. Therefore, lobbying efforts by all those entities listed would also be considered illegal. Any private attempt to promote a campaign, candidate, or party organization by political action committees, would be severely limited to a pre set maximum amount not to exceed 1 million dollars, and be subject to full disclosure of who contributed what, when, where, and how. This would also include but not be limited to trips, air travel, hotel accommodations, or any perks of monetary value given to members of Congress for political favor which would be considered a major breach of ethics and an impeachable offense under the law. Individual citizens political donations would be capped at $1000. Both campaigns would function under equal public funds to be determined and administered by the Federal Elections Committee.

Second, The drawing of Congressional districts every 10 years according to the U.S. Census, and as dictated in the Constitution, would be removed from the state legislatures and given to a politically independent organization. This body would be bound to create as many politically competitive districts as possible within each given state. This body would be totally free of any arbitrary action by the individual state legislatures, or the Governor, and when completed would give their maps to the Federal Election Committee, who would notify the state of its new districts. This undermines the spoils system, and eliminates gerrymandering which has allowed the same people to be elected over and over again.

Third, A cloture vote in the Senate should be changed from 3/5ths or 60 votes, to a simple majority of 51 votes. This rule has been abused by both parties (but most recently Republicans), and is a systemic indictment of the gridlock we currently have in Washington. The intransigence of the Tea Party Republicans has effectively shut down the nations ability to legislate. It has become a political tool that has become initiated in situations that would have been unheard of a just 20 years ago.

Simple enough don't you think? If it was ever introduced you would probably hear the screams at your house from Washington. The point I guess I'm trying to make is this, there is to much dirty money, lack of competition, and hand shackling rules in our political system. While this may fly in the face of some of you political purists who think the founders got it right, I would tend to agree. However, it only works when you have a level of civility in your political discourse, it worked for about 220 years, but the civility is gone now, and I don't see it coming back anytime soon. At any rate I hope this made you think a little bit about what we as citizens are up against, discouraging as it may be. The "Occupy" groups are on to something, lets hope they thrive long enough to effect some positive changes that we as a nation desperately need.