How Money Is Corrupting Our System of Government

Much of what follows is based on having read “Republic, Lost” by Lawrence Lessig.  In my opinion, this book is required reading for anyone concerned about the future of our nation and how the money influence can be diminished.

At issue is the amount of time our elected representatives spend raising funds for campaigns (and how much time prospective opponents are doing the same).  Estimates are anywhere from 60% to 80% of a representative's time spent on raising funds.  This means we are not getting the best efforts of governing from them.

The underlying support for this is the "gift economy" (as Lessig describes it)--the mechanism by which money is channeled to influence governing and policy making.  There is no real quid pro quo (I'll do this for you if you do this for me).  That's bribery, and there are already plenty of laws on the books to address that.  In the gift economy the "this" and "that" are separated from each other in relationship and time.  Example: a lobbyist (or any form of “influencer”) tells a representative "We are going to sponsor a fundraiser for you," and does so.  Perhaps a month later, maybe 6 months, the lobbyist comes by the rep's office and offers some "knowledge" or "advice" on a particular piece of legislation to discuss how he (or who he represents) would like to see it work out.  There is no mention of the fundraiser, no direct implication or insinuation about "hey, remember what we did for you...” Subtle. Of course the rep might not vote in the interests of the influencers; the consequence will come later when the influencers sponsor a fundraiser for the rep's opponent in the next primary.  That's how money influence and campaign financing are linked (or at least one way).  This is the corruptive influence of money.

It’s not so much the politicians who are corrupt, it’s the system. The system exists in its seemingly impenetrable form because of how election campaigns are funded.  Money is at the heart of the corruption.

There are two “beneficiary groups” of the money system today: the elected politicians and the money-interests that fund their political campaigns. Even though we have changed politicians on a regular basis, the corruption has grown.

Changing the politicians has proven to be fruitless.  Even if we voted every incumbent out in each election cycle, the newly elected would become victims of the corruption system.  We are not talking about bad people--they are not people who are taking sacks of cash from anyone as a quid pro quo arrangement with some one or some organization interested in influencing the substance of what Congress deliberates or the Congressional agenda in general.  Therefore, rather than change the people we must eliminate the systematic corruption by changing the manner by which political campaigns are financed.

One approach is to amend the Constitution with respect to campaign financing.  With Congress being one of the “beneficiary groups,” a proposed amendment for campaign reform is unlikely to originate there.  The other approach available for amending the Constitution is for the states to set a proposed amendment in motion. It takes approval by three-quarters of the states to pass an amendment to the Constitution.  In these days of instant communication it might not be all that difficult to get this process started (consider how communications nourished the “Arab Spring” movement).  We have to start somewhere, and it must be a grassroots movement.

This is a classic case of the need to rally around an issue, not a candidate. If the grassroots movement is strong enough, it might send a convincing signal to Washington, and both of the system’s “beneficiary groups’ could feel the heat.  

We won’t be able to affect financing for this year’s election, but we can have an effect on elections to come.  If we want to get rid of corruption, it is up to us to say “Enough!” and follow up with action.

To get started, respected voices in local communities (NOT elected officials of any kind) must take the lead.  These voices should be business leaders, community groups such as churches and family centers, and the media (columnists and reporters local newspapers) to list a few. These are the leaders to whom we must express our dissatisfaction for status quo.

I urge readers to make their voices heard.  If you wish, send your contact information to me by email.  I am building a contact list to keep people engaged in bringing about change.  More on that in later posts.  You have my promise that your contact information will only be used for this purpose and no other.  I will not share contact information even with others who provide the same. 

Another blog? Really? Why?

I am dedicating this blog to “politics” in general.  My intent is to post “essays” from time to time.  I will NOT be posting on a daily basis.

Politics is a very general term.  Frankly, I am concerned about the role money is playing in the political arena today, about the influence it is having, and how it is corrupting our system of government.  I expect to have a lot to write about this topic.

Money in politics is a common enemy for every citizen … all of us … “We, the People”.   Our “enemy” is not a person, party, or policy; it’s a “practice”, a condition that has corrupted our system of government.  That practice is how political campaigns are financed.  So my first “essay” will be about how money corrupts politics.