Money and Politics - Remedies
- davidcogd
- Sep 13, 2024
- 3 min read
This Cogport Series on Money and Politics has covered the excess of Money that influences Political Parties and Government Policy.
It has led to Division in our country. The Power of Wealth is controlling the agendas.
Our Country was founded on the rejection of a system of Royalty in favor of Democracy.
However, Democracy can be undermined by Wealth controlling the agenda of politicians.
It does not differ much from a Royal government.
Stopping the influence of Money requires a major change in income/benefits for holders of office in Government. The holders of office currently receive a pittance in salary. No wonder they look to outside money to improve their position.
A large part of this problem arises from public disapproval of raises for office holders. It is one thing to which they can vocally object.
The politicians say Okay because they will find bigger paydays from the system of Money Influence. This has corroded the management of Government.
How can we expect to attract quality leaders to government when smart people can work in the private sector for much better compensation.
As of 2024, here are the salaries for the following U.S. federal officials:
President of the United States: $400,000 per year, plus an additional expense allowance of $50,000 annually.
U.S. Senators and U.S. House Representatives (Congress members): $174,000 per year for most rank-and-file members.
Speaker of the House: $223,500 per year.
Senate Majority Leader and House Majority and Minority Leaders: $193,400 per year.
These salaries have been frozen since 2009 – 15 Years. Except the President’s salary has been frozen since 2001.
Who can live like that unless they have some other source of income ? That opens the door for the Money of Influence.
How do we fix it ?
· Elimination of PACS.
· Limit on individual contributions and spending.
· Reform of compensation for Public Officeholders.
PACS
PACS have been approved by the U.S. Supreme Court. The PAC issue is hard to fix without a Constitutional Amendment.
Nonetheless, a distinction must be made between Freedom and the ability to use money to influence government.
There can be no “Right” to use wealth this way in a Democracy.
The only practical avenue now available is Public Pressure. Use your voice as a Citizen to speak out. Know what practices your public representatives are using. Give them feedback, and vote accordingly.
Cogport advocates a Constitutional change to address this issue.
Individual Contributions
The existing law is rational and should remain in effect:
To a candidate's campaign committee:
$3,300 per election (Primary and General elections are treated separately, so a total of $6,600 per candidate, per election cycle).
To a national party committee (e.g., DNC, RNC):
$41,300 per year.
The current problem is that the laws allowing PACS are an easy bypass around the restrictions on individual contributions. The law might as well not even exist.
Salary Reform For Federal Office Holders
To attract smart people with leadership ability to public office, the country must provide meaningful compensation that excludes fund raising from outside sources.
Consider that CEO’s of major companies can make Hundreds of $ Millions per year.
Other officers of major companies make $ Millions per year.
To attract Quality People to government who are elected by the Citizens according to their qualifications (and not advertising by their sponsors), here is a proposal, for discussion:
1. Raise President’s Salary to $ 50 Million per year.
2. Raise House and Senate Salary to $ 2.0 Million per year.
SUMMARY:
The U.S. is still the wealthiest country on Earth. We can afford competitive salaries for elected Federal Offices.
Get the Money out of the campaigns, and let the voters select those candidates with the best individual qualities and policies.
Citizens need to become more Pro-Active with an open mind to the alternatives.
David Hollaender September 13, 2024
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