my humble thoughts on Choice 1

[Devon Mattys <dmattys@pamunkeylibrary.org>]

I suppose I support Choice 1 to some extent.  For instance, I think that often the candidates with more money are more likely to be elected, that incumbents frequently control funding efforts and remain in power that way, that there is too much fundraising going on while the officials are in office, and that there is sometimes too much corporate influence over the candidates (as least I feel like there is at times).  However, I think some of the supporters of Choice 1 are willing to go too far in their endeavors to stop the above from happening.  For instance, I don't know about public funding...  I mean, perhaps I'm misunderstanding what that phrase means, but I was filing my taxes last night and was asked if I wanted to give money to political candidates...  That was annoying.  I don't know if that's considered public funding, but I know that I don't want MY money going to someone that I don't necessarily want to see put in office; if public funding means taking from the average people on a regular basis, and putting the money towards any candidate, I disagree with it.  Other than that, I think those who support Choice 1 are dead-on with their solutions...

As to how this will work... heck if I know.

Also, though, on the issue of First Amendment infringements, keep in mind that in the past we've limited First Amendment rights; not all free speech is allowed (keep in mind obscenities).