Campaign Finance Flashcards
what is the issue with campaign financ e
further reform is needed
what reforms have failed
FECA and BCRA
what did the FECA and BCRA try to do
they treid to limit the spending cap and also banned soft money in an attempt to limit overall spending
what is the issue with the FECA and BCRA
there are endless loopholes within the legislation meaning they are bypassable
what was passed in 2002
bipartisan campaign reform act
how has spending increased
in 2008, spending was $8 per vote, which became $20 per vote in 2012.
how much was spent in the 2020 presidential election
$6.5 billion
what is continually gridlocked and fails to work in a bipartisan manner
the FEC
how does spending enhance democracy
It involves external individuals and groups into the political process, which helps to enhance participation.
why should campaign finance not be limited
America is a society based on freedoms, and the freedom of expression supports the fact that individuals are free to spend as much as they wish at elections; this was the view of the Supreme Court in Citizens United v FEC
what are the overall issues with big spending in elections
it is made by a very select few
what has the supreme court consistently ruled
that spending money is a 1st amendment freedom
what was the ruling made in citizens united v FEC
the SC overturned the BCRA’s ban on “issue ads” in the run-up to the election, opening the way for the emergence of so-called Super PACs.
who is an example of a wealthy donor using super PACs
Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson has donated millions of dollars to pro-Republican Super PACs
what are some big donating super PACs
EMILY’s List, The service employees international unions, trump make America great again and America first
