Getting Funded - Erin McGuire, Class of 2010

One of the most interesting facts I have learned recently is that 47% of Members of Congress are millionaires. That is compared to less than 1% of the average Joes that make up the rest America.

No matter how you cut it, money helps you win elections. People with money not only can fund their own campaign, as exhibited by the recent Mayoral race in New York, but they also are privy to networks of people that many don’t have access too. And with those networks of wealthy individuals, comes special interests.

Maine has led the Nation in creating public financing for state candidates. All the way from a State House seat to Governor, a candidate can choose to be funded through public funds – completely void of special interests and promises made while campaigning. To keep the money going to serious candidates you need to prove yourself with “seed” money that is given through $5 donations. How many you need varies by the amount of people you would ultimately represent.

All states should incorporate similar funding methods. Our Executive Director, Katie Mae Simpson, recently told our class that in Massachusetts a house candidate can spend over one hundred thousand dollars. This time spent fundraising should be time spent doing grassroots organizing, and getting to know the voters. Likewise, those dollars should go to non-profits trying to directly impact people’s lives.

There is a bill in Congress right now to make publicly funded campaigns a national program, the Fair Elections Now Act. If enacted this bill would create a voluntary system that would limit contributions to $100, emphasize grassroots support and bring campaign finance reform into the 21st Century. After last weeks Supreme Court decision , to allow unlimited third party contributions, there has never been a better time to vocally support clean elections.

I would encourage all of you to call your Congressmen and ask them to support the Fair Elections Now Act - HR 1826, in the House, and S. 752 in the Senate.  Clean elections have been very successful in Maine, and are a great model for the rest of the country!

Erin McGuire, Emerge Maine, Class of 2010