One of Bernie Sanders’ strongest issues is campaign finance. He speaks on this recurring issue in almost every speech, debate, and tweet he sends. Sanders claims that this is America’s number one issue because it affects all the others. In 2010, the Supreme Court allowed wealthy corporations and families to donate an unlimited amount of money to the candidate of their choice. This means that they could essentially "buy the candidate of their choosing." In order to be successful in a presidential race, you need not only great ideas but a ton of money and donations. Sanders explains how our democracy is “under fierce attack” and that the Koch brothers plan to spend $900 million in the 2016 election on the candidate of their choosing. He speaks strongly on how this is an oligarchy and his hopes for restoring the one person one vote democracy.
How he plans to restore our democracy, in his words, are simple. Bernie Sanders would only appoint Supreme Court justices who will make it a priority to overturn Citizens United. He would also fight to pass an amendment in order to allow states to have the power to regulate money in their elections. Sanders also mentions how he is proud to be a sponsor of such amendments in the Senate and hopes to use those skills in creating more to support the people in this matter. Another obstacle he wants to conquer is a publicly financed system of campaign financing. This system would increase small donations along the lines of the Fair Elections Now Act. Sanders wants to fight to eliminate super PACs and other outside spending abuses like the Koch brothers. He strives towards a Communication Commission in which an executive order would be made requiring the government disclose their political spendings.
Statistics have shown that Sanders has a lot of support for his campaign finance plan although he is not as heavy on it as before. What do you think?
