I support public financing, and I also support ending the unfair dominance of the two major parties on American politics. Accordingly, here is a solution, which I am sure is far from original to me, with which to make our elections less dominated by money and the two major parties that depend on large amounts of special interest money. I'll give the easiest example. In a Presidential election, anyone who could get a minimum number of authenticated signatures of American citizens on a petition supporting their candidacy (10,000 seems like a reasonable number) would automatically be on the ballot. All of these candidates would receive an equal amount of public money that they could spend as they chose, with all private contributions being banned. They would also get an equal chance to participate in all debates. I would apply these basic ideas to all federal elections. I appreciate all replies. Thank you very much.

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"I am a Tory Anarchist. I should like every one to go about doing just as he pleased- short of altering any of the things to which I have grown accustomed." (Max Beerbohm)

What do all of you think of the above ideas? Thank you very much.

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"I am a Tory Anarchist. I should like every one to go about doing just as he pleased- short of altering any of the things to which I have grown accustomed." (Max Beerbohm)

Are my ideas that bad?

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"I am a Tory Anarchist. I should like every one to go about doing just as he pleased- short of altering any of the things to which I have grown accustomed." (Max Beerbohm)

I kind off like it... but where's the money going to come from? That's the reason why it will never fly. It would theoretically solve some problems but create some fiscal problems and lead to cuts on other things that we feel are higher priorities.
To get support for such an idea, you need a plan for funding it.
Also to a certain extent, it's good to see interest groups get involved. It's the extent to which they do, the methods they sometimes use, and the lack of balance that make it rough.
This is a toughy.
I think a good plan would be much more complex. I'm stumped.

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"Man lives in the sunlit world of that which he believes to be reality. But unseen by most is an underworld, a place that is just as real... but not as brightly lit... A DARK SIDE!"
-opening from Tales From the Darkside

I don't think it would cost that much. I oppose government involvement in art, so I would take all funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and use it for public financing.

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"I am a Tory Anarchist. I should like every one to go about doing just as he pleased- short of altering any of the things to which I have grown accustomed." (Max Beerbohm)

You'll have a hard time convincing the public that it's a good use of their money though. People get enjoyment out of arts and many feel it's important.
People hate politics.
May not be rational completely, but I don't think this is an easy sell.

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"Man lives in the sunlit world of that which he believes to be reality. But unseen by most is an underworld, a place that is just as real... but not as brightly lit... A DARK SIDE!"
-opening from Tales From the Darkside

I find the financing in US politics baffling.

Can anyone explain to me how it works?

Is there a cap on campaign spending?

Are all donations to political parties openly published?

Can political parties borrow money?

A difficulty that I can envisage is that you would get a lot of single issue applicants who may be able to garner sufficient support for their petition but who no-one would want as a president.

Mr. Stopvivisection or Mrs. Makechurchobligatory or Miss Hangthepornographers

You might end up spending money, intended for potential presidents, on raising the profile of special interest groups.

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Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.
Marx (G.)

There is no cap on total campaign spending as far as I know, but I am not an expert, and again, as far as I know, the answer is yes to the third and fourth questions, though my knowledge of campaigns in general is limited.

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"I am a Tory Anarchist. I should like every one to go about doing just as he pleased- short of altering any of the things to which I have grown accustomed." (Max Beerbohm)

The government allready pays matching campaign funds for presidential and other hopefuls who keep private donations under a certain ammount.

I support banning private donations.

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"I am a Tory Anarchist. I should like every one to go about doing just as he pleased- short of altering any of the things to which I have grown accustomed." (Max Beerbohm)