Statement by Julia Hutchins, Democracy Advocate
Tomorrow night George W.
Bush, will, for the first time, flex his money muscle for the Republican National
Committee at a black-tie gala held at the D.C. armory. In an economy flush with
funds, there will be no shortage of business tycoons and other wealthy individuals
ready to open their checkbooks to their 2000 presidential hopeful. While Wednesday
night's earnings are expected to surpass all previous one-night fundraising
records, this particular event and next month's DNC fundraiser are only a symbol
of what's wrong with politics today. Although the Democrats will open the doors
of the MCI center to smaller $50 contributors later this summer, both Parties
will still be raising much larger amounts of soft and hard money.
The real problem with these
fundraisers and big money-centered elections is not about access to candidates
or decision-makers, but is about the lack of equity in electoral participation.
Since money heavily influences election outcomes, it is the $1000, $10,000 and
$100,000 donors who have the power to determine which candidates run for office
and which candidates win elections. A fifty-dollar contribution has little impact
in an election where candidates and parties are expected to raise billions.
While it would be difficult
for the Democratic or Republican Party to unilaterally disarm and accept only
small contributions, it would not be unreasonable to ask both Parties to mutually
refuse soft money contributions. Congress should also act to ban the flow of
unlimited soft money contributions from wealthy individuals, corporations, and
labor unions. This money is almost always spent in ways that benefits candidates
and is a flagrant violation of the spirit of current law. More importantly,
Congress should address the greater wholesale corruption that occurs when big
money influences election outcomes. Instead of considering proposals to raise
contribution limits and increase big money in politics, Congress should lower
the contribution limits and open the political process to all citizens.
