Your Sept. 28 editorial “The once and future money game” obfuscates the campaign finance issue and distorts the goals of reformers who seek to address it.
Reformers, like most Americans, want their candid-ates and elected officials to devote time and energy to governance and public policy formulation, not fundraising. But we also want to level the playing field between the candidates who do and those who do not have access to big-money contributors.
In Illinois, where just about anything goes, it is time for the public to seriously examine how money flows through our political system. Sensible contribution limits, though far from a panacea, may offer an incremental step in the right direction. Placing limits on contributions and restricting the transfer of funds from one political committee to another would wrest control from Illinois’ legislative leadership and help open up the playing field.
Giving time and money to the candidate of your choice is an American tradition. It is a legitimate way for citizens to participate in the electoral process. But under the current system, people with money and power can use our democratic process to add to their power and wealth, while those without large sums of money increasingly feel left out and under-represented by the system. Recognizing and addressing the impact of money in politics is an essential first step in restoring public confidence in government.
