Would you like to contribute $1.00 to your political party?

Question

Is there anyone else out there who gets a little peeved when they read this question on their tax form?

I personally don't want to contribute to any party, Democrat, Republican, Communist or whatever, and it ticks me off that the IRS is given the extra burden and cost of collecting money for political war chests.

Who's paying for the extra people doing this, (most likely an entire department of them, accountants, bookeepers and clerks by the score)....?... I mean, who's paying their salaries and insurance, vacations and health care benefits --- and who's contributing to their retirement funds? I suspect that we are.! Grrrrrr....!

Shouldn't the political parties be made to be responsible for footing the bill and doing the work of collecting their own donation money.

Answer 1

I think the question on our tax forms is inappropriate, also.
And I always say "No". And yes, it would be good to have an audit for the American people of what actually happens to those $1.00 bills, and yes, the parties should be responsible themseles.

I'm with you all the way on this one.

Answer 2

We need serious campaign reform. Almost all of the money is spent on TV ads. In order to raise the money they have to take money from special interest groups (who mostly represent big corporations). Even if that contribution does not come with a specific quid pro quo, it opens doors and provides access—and access is the key to policy-making. In the 2000 election, tobacco companies gave more than $10 million to the parties. Later, the companies successfully blocked anti-tobacco legislation aimed at protecting children.
What we really need is free airtime for candidates to debate issues and to make political ads illegal during campaigns. The spectrum of airwaves was public property, but the FCC gave away $70 Billion in licenses to broadcasters. As the only means to reach most Americans and with that giant subsidy, it should be in service of democracy, not just commercial interests.

Answer 3

Yeah I'd be peeved as hell. I'm not a US citizen, but I know where you're coming from. Considering that in the US, only the Dems and Reps ever get in and they're pretty much a mirror image of eachother anyway, what the hell is the point of funding them at all? You're only going to end up with an embarrassing moron like the one you have now, or a walking cadaver like John Kerry.

Answer 4

It is done to make campaigns "fairer" It comes through a process called federal matching dollars. candidates can get the government to match what they get in donations dollar for dollar. If the socialist left in this country get their way we will go th the next step 100% government funded campaigns. So no candidate has more money than another. This will have the effect of putting the government in charge of deciding who gets to run since they will control all the funding.

Answer 5

Go away Shriner. You know the guys with the ferz hats that drive the little cars. Nothing to do with politics. But I could be really wrong.....

Answer 6

You don't have to give it. I do every year since 1966. I am a citizen of this country and I like helping out.

Answer 7

I agree

Answer 8

no they should pay me to vote for those A$$ holes

Answer 9

no