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by GabrielBen 2447 days ago
I much prefer to have private money buying politicians than public money. The latter makes the politicians conspire together against the public: after all, they all win the longer, more expensive and flamboyant campaigns are.

Anecodtally Argentina has public funding, and the biggest two parties ended up keeping all the public money for campaigning, and small parties have no chance. Do you think the Libertarian or Green party or Mormon parties iwll get the same money as the Dems and Reps?
1 comments
gremlinsinc 2447 days ago
This is why the public funding being in hands of American's makes good sense. I like Yang's proposal give all American's $500 in political cash, let them choose who to give it to. If they choose nobody then it goes back into the fund for the next election.

This would also encourage politicians to actually reach out and 'touch' people enough that they give a shit to donate their political cash to that person. It might make more people get out and vote and participate in the election process. When more people vote democracy benefits.

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conanbatt 2447 days ago
I understand the concept, but still wary. First, this means people have a proxy to sell their vote (il give you my 500 dollar boucher for 100 cash), second it spends more money in campaigns than naturally.

There are central premises of democracy at stake here. If monetizing political power is good then we ahouls build a way to sell votes directly.

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gremlinsinc 2447 days ago
500 dollar's isn't gonna go that far... I mean that's 100 billion dollars (assuming 200 million adults who'd all use the voting cash), but that's between ALL candidates across ALL races including congress, senate, presidential, etc... It's also inclusive of 'issues' and 'local' candidates.

The candidate then can raise 0 dollars from sources that is not the public fund. Currently corporations can give 500k or more, unlimited if they pay a Super PAC supporting their candidates/issues.

If we make lobbyists, and political donations illegal EXCEPT for what the people give via the voucher system it makes it more fair than it currently is now.

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