The US Voting System is Broken

July 26th, 2004, 05:58 PM

The US election system is broken...and heres why.

Corporate money at the conventions.....UNFREEKIN' BELIVABLE!!

A MUST READ


http://abcnews.go.com/sections/Polit..._040726-1.html

This story just aired on ABC Nightly News....

July 26th, 2004, 06:22 PM

We have a very simple law here in Manitoba...no political contributions by business or unions. The province has done a little better every year since it came into effect.

July 26th, 2004, 06:27 PM

I cant tell you how OUTRAGED I am...

Im just furious....

Campaign reform..what CRAP!

How long has that Manitoba law been in effect? And has it been challenged in court yet?

July 26th, 2004, 06:56 PM

We have something similar here. And the goverment gives a budget to parties, to replace such money. Kinda like the new system Chretien put in place before he left.

July 26th, 2004, 06:57 PM

Even if it is, only the Federal Goverment could overthrow such a law. And interveining in Prrvincial Juristiction in Canada, is suicide.

July 26th, 2004, 07:02 PM

Hmmm

As far as you know, Numure, has there been any court challenges to that law?

Id imagine the free speech argument would be utilized.

July 26th, 2004, 08:39 PM

I believe it's been in place for five or six years here, Researchok. One election, at any rate. Most people like it, so any party that backed a challenge to it would be punished at the polls.

I don't believe it's gone to court yet. The PCs and big business absolutely hate it, but it is politically popular.

July 26th, 2004, 09:52 PM

I wonder if it would work here.

I have my doubts-- big business, unions, etc would be up in arms.

July 27th, 2004, 01:23 AM

Unions here supported such changes. Certainly on the federal level. Big Business have been the one complaining the most. But the happiest people of all, this year, are the green party members. Thx to the new law, they will get goverment funding of around 2 million this year. Compared to their normal 25 000$ budget. The money parties get, is determined by the percentage of the votes that they get. You need a minimum of 2% to be elegible.

July 27th, 2004, 09:22 AM

Hmmmm

Interesting. Political parties here also get govt funding-- unless they choose not to.

July 27th, 2004, 12:26 PM

I like campaign finance reform...

That being said, replacing the currupt system we had with grossly tax payers money is just as stupid. Its bad enough some of the things that we have to pay for...

Now lawn signs, election pamphlets? Thats SUPER

Clearly the US system is over the top in the other direction. I like how most of the major companies donate to both parties. It just screams, "we don't care who wins, just give us preferential treatment!"

July 27th, 2004, 12:31 PM

The problem isnt the corporate class.

Its the political leadership of BOTH parties that dont want reform

July 27th, 2004, 12:36 PM

Well, thats the reason it is not changing....

The corporate class has has much responsibility as anyone else as to why it is broken in the first place.