Restricting Individual Contributions is an Infringement of the First Amendment

[Amanda Grove <Lovinit247@juno.com>]

As an 18-year-old high school student discussing individual contributions in my Comparative Government class, I think I differ from the general opinion.  Restricting the amount of money individuals are allowed to contribute infringes the first amendment.  However, this does not mean I think soft money and millionaires running for office should not be restricted.  We must constitutionally find a way to reform all contributions.  Perhaps we cap the amount persons running for office are allowed to spend overall.  I think a huge part of this topic is publicity.  Each candidate should have to make the public aware of large contributions- by whom.  Voters should know.  Court cases infringing upon the first amendment in the past have been deemed constitutional, so there is hope to limit individual's donations.  It also must go hand-in-hand with corporate restrictions.  There may be underdogs in elections, but it should have nothing to do with wealth status.  Individuals running for office must focus on platform and publicizing issues rather than fundraising.