Summary: March 19, 2001

Forum Day 1 Agenda: Introduction: Purpose of the deliberative dialogue; ground rules; defining the problem; personal stake; introduction of choices.

Forum moderator Taylor Willingham asked participants to share their personal stake in the issue - how they have experienced the issue of money and politics in their own lives or why they feel it is important to have this conversation about money and politics.

Over 200 participants from across the country had registered for the 10-day deliberation. By late evening Eastern Time about 40 participants had posted self-introductions, personal stories, concerns, suggestions and questions.

Note: Postings appearing after this summary was written will be included in the next day's summary.

Some personal stories that participants related as their connection to this issue:

• Losing a race against an incumbent for a state representative position and finding little support from PAC's and lobbyists who were only interested in supporting those already in power.
• Finding that an overwhelming money advantage ($500,000 versus $30,000) was not enough to win against a very effective grass-roots campaign that effectively made use of free media via the newspaper and the news.
• Being displeased that union dues were being used to fund candidates and issues with which the member disagreed.
• Being a high school senior who ran for senior class president and finding that "although this endeavor was not extremely costly, the little things did add up."
• Resenting a corporate PAC's "semi-strong arm attempt to compel me to contribute money so the PAC could influence legislators to be favorable to the phone company. The supposed 'volunteer' activity took on overtones of 'join or lose your job' mentality".
• Having the experience of running for an office and toward the end of the race when money was running out, being offered a contribution - "I can't tell you the feelings of gratitude I had for this group... I knew it meant that I would be there when called upon, and was greatly disturbed by that reality. Fortunately, (?!) I lost the general election."
• Serving as a campaign manager for numerous elections and interested in solutions that "do not restrict freedom and liberty".

In addition to personal experiences with the issue, participants repeatedly expressed a number of concerns:

• That politics too often focuses more on money than on values and quality; in candidates and also in legislation.
• That the cost of running for, and winning an office is out of reach of many "good" candidates.
• That special interests are getting undesirable laws passed with money.
• That money is given to get something in return.
• That elected officials are increasingly spending their time on the job raising money.
• That the more money there is in our political system, the more distrust and disillusionment there is on the part of the public.
• That adding more regulations and restricting money in politics might also restrict freedom and important rights.
• That reforms might only address a "symptom; like putting a bandage on a tumor, or treating TB with cough syrup."
• That people want to learn more about this issue and are looking forward to hearing what others have to say.
• That the answer isn't clear but that something should be done.

The intent of each day's summary is to capture the essence of the conversation. It is for the benefit of participants and for others who may be observing the forum, or may be interested in the topic, or in the process. Comments on the 'summaries', as well as on any other aspect of the forum, are as always, more than welcome.

Patty Dineen Online Forum Reporter March 19, 2001