Why do Republicans oppose campaign finance and lobbying reform?

Question

Could loose campaign and lobbying laws be contributing to all this corruption - - six times more Republicans in trouble with the law than Democrats?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:User_At_Work/Pols_under_investigation

Answer 1

Could it? Of course.
And you've just answered your own question -- THAT is why they oppose reform.
Know what really gets me? Campaign and lobbying laws *are* so loose, yet so many still go beyond them and do stupid things for MORE money...and get caught! How dumb is that?? :)

Answer 2

Because each 'reform' only seems to entrench the corruption and harms our 1st Amendment free speech rights. And the 'reforms' never eliminate lobbyists or Congressional acceptance of substantial gifts.

What conservatives would like is to eliminate all limitations on political speech and funding, but make it all transparent - all information on donations to campaigns must be made available to the public. Our presidents and congressmen have better things to do with their time than having to attend 100's or 1000's of fundraisers so they can collect $2000 a pop, to fund a mega-million dollar campaign.

And I would advocate a 'Straight Arrow' program for Congress. In the military, we could not even accept a cup of coffee from a contractor. No reason our high & mighty congresscriminals shouldn't be required to display the same level of integrity and honesty.

You see, it isn't that there's money out there, or that Dems are any less corrupt, it's the fact that each 'reform' tends to remove transparency from government and steals the peoples' voice. Why are you so unconcerned with this assault on our rights?

Answer 3

Well obviously they will never do anything to fix it no politician would. If there were truly a fair and honest election process. Corporations would not be allowed to donate money like they do. All donations should be put into one general fund and every candidate, liberatarian, green party, concerned citizens, all get an equal amount of money to campaign with. If an individual wants to donate above and beyond that to their party, there should be a cap on what they can donate and it should all be very traceable. If people had more choice in elections maybe some change would finally come in this country.

Answer 4

I would think that by this time, all the attempts at campaign finance reform and lobbying reform have proven that each time we "reform" it, the process gets more corrupt. Look at the elections since CFR passed.

Answer 5

Technically, I think the argument is that lobbying and showering politicians with cash is a form of free speech and falls under the first amendment, though you certainly have a point.

Answer 6

Because Republicans, and movement conservatives in general, oppose excessive government regulation, and because they regard finance spending as a protected form of free speech.

Answer 7

How else will they get all that money from huge corporations to spend on their campaigns?

Answer 8

Well, probably because it would derail their multi-million dollar lobbying income.

FP