In American politics is the amount spent by each party during a campaign regula

1. 59

   Gingerrevolutionposted 14 years ago

   In American politics is the amount spent by each party  during a campaign regulated?
   
   Just out of curiosity, I was wondering if each party is only allowed to spend a certain amount or if they are free to spend as much as they like. In Britain our parties must only spend a budgeted amount on their campaigns to ensure that every party has an equal expenditure. Do you think this is a better or  worse system

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2. 80

   Doc Snowposted 14 years ago

   The short answer is "no."  The Supreme Court has ruled that political spending is basically equivalent to free speech, so if one has money, one is free to spend it on politics if desired.
   
   There is public funding for national campaigns, which is limited, and which does attempt to level the playing field a bit.  But if you have the money to compete on your own, you can opt out, as President Obama did in his election campaign.
   
   Moreover, corporations and unions can now spend on issue advertising pretty much as they see fit, thanks to the "Citizens United" decision.
   
   It's unfortunate, in my opinion.  Money always talks; we don't need to hand it a megaphone, too.

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3. 77

   junkoposted 14 years ago

   No. The highest court has declared that a corporation has the same right as an American citizen as for as political contributions to political parties. There is no limits

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4. 69

   onegoodwomanposted 14 years ago

   American politicans are allowed to spend an unregulated amount of money.  There is a check system in place that regulates the donation(s) of where the money came from.
   
   If a politician has billions of their own money to spend, they are allowed to use it.
   
   If I had billons of dollars, WHY would I care to play politics?
   There is a cap on the donations allowed by particular groups........hence the term, " in the back pocket of.."
   
   In our country, it is not the amount of money that one can spend, it is a question of where the money stems from.

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5. 60

   zduckmanposted 14 years ago

   No, and that is a large part of the problem with our political system. Campaign finance reform is what we are talking about here, and Ron Paul is a huge proponent. You can find videos on YouTube.

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6. 0

   jdatwellposted 13 years ago

   Yes some of that money needs to be used for those who need the help. Think carefully about how much money and where is it really going to.

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