2007-03-02 11:27:52 · 8 answers · asked by frank grover jr. 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
Any US citizen can run for any office he wants to. It's takes $$ to get his or her message out.
2007-03-02 11:54:59 · answer #1 · answered by 1st Buzie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In theory, they can all run. Now whether they can win is a different story.
One of the most unfortunate decisions by the United State Supreme Court was Buckley vs. Valeo from 1976 which stated that money equaled free speech. This took away maybe on of the most effective means for more democracy which is spending caps a candidate can spend. If candidates were limited in how much money they could spend, you would have less incumbency and less of a problem with rich people buying political office. Unfortunately, I don't think Buckley will be overturned in my lifetime.
2007-03-03 14:49:03 · answer #2 · answered by Patrick M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm kinda more about how can we get a wider variety of career forms to run for office I'd be thrilled if there were a bunch of engineers running the country
but thats different than the reason I'm replying I'm replying because California just had a statewide ballot thing to make the election process less financially tilted Millions of Californians thought upon that idea
Campaign Public Fund
2,124,728 25.7% liked it
6,132,618 74.3% Nay
You can read vast amounts of for n agaist arguments at
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=california+prop89&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8
http://voterguide.ss.ca.gov/props/prop89/prop89.html
2007-03-02 19:39:51 · answer #3 · answered by treonbarleyverdery 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a good question because all of them are, or will soon be!
That is why 3rd parties can't get funding or put their names on all the ballots in states.
I only know of one 3rd party candidate to really give it a go, but he was rich as well!
2007-03-02 19:36:14 · answer #4 · answered by cantcu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing they could do would be to put spending limits on campaigns.
They could also take away some of the restrictions that make it difficult to get on the ballot.
They could create more elected positions.
2007-03-02 20:18:33 · answer #5 · answered by ♥TootsieRolls♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Run ourselves. It's a very simple answer, and it's one that can help. All that exploratory committe stuff they tout? It's all hogwash anyway. And if they try to stop us, we can always brandish our constitution in their face, and if they're still pigheaded, well... Eh, maybe I'm just feeling ornery tonight. I'd give a better answer, but I can't think straight this evening, sorry.
... I'll try again when my mind's working straight. Again, sorry 'bout this.
2007-03-02 19:31:56 · answer #6 · answered by crimsononice 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Allow them to get an advance from the lobbyists that they can pay back after getting elected.
2007-03-02 19:52:04 · answer #7 · answered by Worried in Bolingbrook 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Quit paying elected officials so much... that way they don't get rich.
2007-03-02 19:46:58 · answer #8 · answered by Al Eatler 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋