I am scandalized and ashamed by our electoral process.  Our democracy is sold out to special interest groups, corporations, Wall Street and wealthy donors.  Voter suppression laws and pending laws in Republican controlled states are shameful and prove that they are not interested in free, fair and honest elections.  I do not feel that the people are represented by our elected officials.  I have no training in political science, the social sciences or finance.  I feel that special interests groups, fear, ignorance, misinformation and outrage dominate public perception.  Candidates like Trump, Jindall and others appeal to the electorate’s emotions rather then to their reason.  They make scapegoats of the poor, elderly, immigrants and disenfranchised.  The more outrageous claims, the higher the ratings in the polls.  It’s as though the public has gone insane.  But we are all tired of the political posturing on both sides in Washington.  We are tired of gridlock in congress.  We are tired of being lied to, manipulated, discounted and dismissed.  Gone is civility.  Gone is the art of negotiating and compromise.  Gone is working toward the common good.  Now it’s dirty politics, dirty tricks, yellow journalism and personal attacks.  So few people even vote that no party or person can claim to have won a mandate by the people.  I may be naive, but here are some things that I believe should be done to improve our electoral process.

QUALIFICATIONS

1.  All aspirants must prove constitutionals eligibility,

2.  All aspirants must have a published platform of positions on a list of issues with concrete details for funding, strategy and implementation.  This must be made available to the public free upon request and online.

FUNDING

1.  Abolish all fundraising for political purposes and candidates.

2.  No self funding allowed.

3.  Each candidate receives the same fixed amount from the federal general fund paid in monthly installments beginning when he/she declares candidacy and passes the eligibility requirements.

4.  Money to be spent for travel, advertising, media, consultants, staff, events and other expenses and shall conform to IRS guidelines for business expenses.

5.  Strict monthly accounting and auditing would be required by an impartial firm to be selected by GAO or other agency.  Auditing results must be made available to the general public in a timely manner, not to be longer than 30 days in arrears.  Irregularities must be resolved promptly.  Infractions will result in reduction in funding.

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS

1.  Redistrict all congressional districts by a formula by population and geography.

2.  Strict, regular boundaries.  No gerrymandering.

3.  District boundaries may not be adjusted on the basis of income levels, political persuasion, ethnic, ideological, racial, religious, gender identities.

VESTED INTERESTS

1.  Abolish all lobbyists and special interest groups at local, state and federal levels.

MEDIA

1.  All major television, radio and cable outlets must provide blocks of time free and equal to all viable candidates.  Viability to be defined by ad hoc committee made up of representatives from each media outlet.  They may write it off as a business expense.

2.  Additional media time may be purchases at the candidate’s discretion, but must be paid for out of their federal allotment subject to rules and audits as described above.

VOTING

1.  All U.S. citizens must register to vote unless their voting privileges have been revoked.

2.  Voters must be registered using the normal forms of identification that have been required for the past 50 years.  e.g. birth certificate, driver’s license, social security card, passport, ID card

3.  Voters may not be suppressed by imposing unreasonable requirements such as special ID’s.

4.  Registration must not discriminate against any citizen based upon age, income, race, political, ideological, philosophical or religious affiliation.

5.  If a citizen cannot register by reason of health, money or lack of transportation, provision must be made to accommodate them at State expense.

6.  Polling places shall be distributed evenly throughout all congressional districts.

7.  Polling places shall all keep the same hours, adjusted for time zone.

8.  Each voter will receive a $50 income tax deduction.  If the voter does not have sufficient income to require filing an income tax return, they shall receive a check for $50.