Reply #9: It might be better than you think... [View All]

I would bet a lot of companies would prefer not to waste so much time and money schmoozing with pols, too.

The system has created this symbiotic monster where privately owned companies feel compelled to contribute to pols to defend their interests vis-a-vis their competition. It's a vicious circle where the amounts of money keep spiralling upward. The campaign seasons keep getting longer and longer, and the money just keeps piling up and being wasted.

The one thing about government intervention in something like this. If they can turn the spigot off for everybody, they all save money and none lose any more leverage than any others do.

In the end, we need public financing, with no money available until 6 months before the election. Decrease the primary election cycle to 3 months. Take 2 weeks off to hold the conventions--they are nothing but coronations, anyway. Then do the national election in the time remaining. Countries in Europe don't spend 10 months a year campaigning. We shouldn't have to.