I think an easy way to lessen financial influence from political campaigns would be to make donations to campaign funds unable to be known by the candidate. Campaign would be set up with a ‘blind’ account where people, business, organizations and even PACs could still donate as much as they wanted, but the candidate and his inner circle would not be able to know who or how much each group gave.

This would solve a couple of problems in campaigns. First, there’s the obvious benefit that the candidate won’t vote to support big oil or medicine or some concern just because they gave him money. I think candidates would appreciate not feeling obligated or goaded too, so they can vote what they really believe will work.

Next, it will lessen the amount of money donated/wasted in elections. With less overall money in the election, donations from people that really care about the issue or candidate will be more effective. Because right now, many groups donate not only to the candidate that they want to win or whom they believe will support their issues more accurately, but instead, they give large amounts to both sides. The result is a win-win situation regarding influence, because both candidates are tainted and feel they have to support that group with their votes. In my new scenario, people and groups would only give to the candidate they actually agree with.

Finally, we could end a confusopoly of campaign laws that right now can be a gauntlet to run just to give and get money. Even honest people can’t seem to figure out campaign laws.

I realize that a political campaign needs to keep close tabs on how much money so some people in the campaign will figure out who gave and I realize this whole system can be derailed by a PAC head whispering “I gave five million” into the ear of the candidate while in a receiving line, but just pretend for a minute that those problems can be solved. Would this lead to better government?

What do you think of this idea or comment?
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