As Colorado drones toward the Nov. 7 election, it’s clear that campaign-finance reform once again has failed to live up to its enthusiasts’ claims.
Whether on a state or national level, laws limiting campaign giving and spending have not worked. That’s because the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects freedom of speech and judges of all persuasions have held that political contributions fall under that protection.
So-called “527 committees” operate in Colorado as well as nationally, hyping – or, more often, reviling – one candidate or another. Before 527 committees, there were “education” committees that did the same thing. Federal and state laws require these committees to be completely separate from and to avoid any coordination with campaigns.
While this may occur on the surface, both parties have so many overlapping consultants and insiders that some communication is bound to happen.
I’m not particularly bothered about communication among consultants. I find it much more dishonest to proudly proclaim that we’re taking money out of politics by campaign-finance reform when everyone can see that we’re not. In fact, because 527 committees can operate behind the scenes, they haul in huge amounts of money to push one candidate or issue over another.
Politics is a brawl, not a sedate fencing match kept proper by well-accepted rules. Parties or candidates who let the other side pull in big money while proudly declaring their commitment to innocence and honor and campaign-finance reform end up losers. And you don’t go into politics to lose.
None of this is new to American politics. Money and venom have been part of our system since the Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution. Campaign-finance reform simply pushes the money to another vehicle for political influence. That gives candidates less control over their campaigns, particularly when communication with 527 committees is prohibited. While voters can hold candidates accountable for their own sleazy ads, it’s much tougher to take them to task when someone else who can’t talk to them is behind those ads.
Those with money to spend on political influence will always be part of political campaigns. Because if money doesn’t buy influence (which is a silly notion; of course it does), it certainly buys access. If you have access to a policymaker and someone else does not, then you are the one with the opportunity to influence his or her vote.
Maybe we should simply admit that money and politics go hand in hand and look for more effective ways than campaign-finance reform to spread the potential for influence. Both the American Association of Retired People and the National Rifle Association use their members to great effect in influencing public policy. The NRA also puts millions of dollars into campaigns, but its ability to rouse its members is particularly successful. Conservative religious organizations have motivated their voters from pulpits and talk shows for decades. Now, progressive groups are learning how to ignite their base as well.
If children were as organized as all these groups, just imagine how much stronger our schools would be. (If that idea appeals to you, join Mothers Acting Up at www.mothersactingup.org, a Colorado group that organizes moms and kids around the world to pressure politicians into guaranteeing better and safer lives for children.)
Disclosure also has lots of advantages. Voters can learn who supports a particular candidate or cause. Disclosure also discourages some people from donating large amounts of money for fear of getting public scrutiny themselves.
Some voters may be so turned off by the deluge of negative ads produced by 527 committees and candidates that they won’t vote. I hope that doesn’t happen. If you don’t like the continued influence of money in politics, take a careful look behind the negative ads and vote for the candidate you believe best represents your interests.
To have a still bigger impact, join an organization that is using the voices of its members, not just its big bucks, to change the course of political decisions.
Gail Schoettler (gailschoettler@email.msn.com) is a former U.S. ambassador, Colorado lieutenant governor and treasurer, and Democratic nominee for governor.
