Campaign & Ethics Reform Reports

Despite the recent corruption scandals in Washington, D.C., the most significant problem with money in politics is that large contributions, which only a fraction of the American public can afford to make, unduly influence who runs for office and who wins elections in the United States. Money is a critical, and perhaps decisive, factor in determining election outcomes. Candidates who wish to present their views to the voters must first compete in the "wealth primary." Without personal wealth or the ability to raise large sums of money from well-heeled contributors, many aspiring officeholders are locked out of the process before the first vote is cast. Those voters who wish to express views that are not supported by wealthy donors are left without an outlet.