This link mentions a “secret voting booth” for voting with dollars. Alternatively, the idea of “patriot dollars” could be used in a more transparent campaign finance program to strategically attempt to curb the amount of campaign finance used in Congressional elections. Here’s how the alternative might work. A candidate for the House of Representatives may opt into the program by agreeing to acquire or spend no more than approximately 99 percent as many dollars as the mean amount spent by nonincumbent winning candidates in the previous election cycle if and only so long as all opposing candidates in his/her current race also refrain from accepting, acquiring or spending that amount. By the time the filing date deadline is reached each candidate in the race must have with his/her filing opted in or out of the program. If at least one candidate opts in, all candidates in the race who have not opted in will nevertheless be have another chance to opt in during the second of possibly three seasons in which opted-in candidates may receive public financing. Only candidates who have opted by the candidacy filing date may receive dollar for dollar matching private/public patriot dollar financing during the first season (primary campaign and beyond). The Federal Election Commission (FEC) will distribute a debit style card to all registered voters in Congressional districts that have opted-in candidates. During the first season, the cards can only be used designated kiosks to release to participating candidates of the district a maximum of $200 in patriot dollars concurrent with contributions of same amount provided by the voters themselves. Outside of the patriot dollar disbursement procedure, citizens residing inside or outside the district also may contribute to one or more participating and or non-participating candidates in the race in $250 or smaller amounts in which case to federal dollar for dollar matching amounts will be disbursed to the specified candidates. During the second season (when at least one candidate who has not opted in but also has surpassed acquisition of at least 90 percent as many dollars as the mean amount spent by nonincumbent winning candidates in the previous election cycle) all candidates not already opted in have the opportunity to do so. The second season will continue until the election unless the FEC finds that at least one candidate, whether opted in or not, has accepted financing beyond 105 percent as many dollars as the mean amount spent by nonincumbent winning candidates in the previous election cycle. Upon learning of the excess FEC will announce the beginning of a third season and the names of the candidates who received and accepted campaign funds that exceeded the 105 percent threshold. Candidates who exceeded the threshold will be ineligible to receive patriot dollars in the third season. During the third season, voters may use the FEC-issued debit cards at designated kiosks to release a maximum of $50 in patriot dollars to opted-in candidates of their choice regardless of whether the voters choose to also concurrently make contributions from their own personal accounts. Paying for patriot dollar financing: On the first year’s tax filings after the program comes into being, each taxpayer would be assessed a surtax of 0.4 percent to cover or help cover the cost. In years subsequent to the first patriot dollar financed election, the total of previous patriot dollar financing for all participating candidates should be calculated as a percentage of the government’s total budget. Each taxpayer would then pay a surtax (a minimum of one dollar from each taxpayer) calculated as the percentage of their taxable income that equals the percentage of the government’s total budget that has previously been used for public funding of the patriot dollars program
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 15:04:33 +0000
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