Of IEs And Campaign Contribution Limits
Posted by: Jubal | 04/01/2008 3:57 PM
I came across this arresting statistic on the California Fair Political Practices Commission website (H/T to Total Buzz for the post that prompted my visit):
This is just more evidence that contribution limits do not get money out of politics -- they simply re-direct campaign spending away from the control of candidates and into the hands of IE committees. They diffuse accountability and make it more difficult for candidates to communicate with voters.
Not that die-hard advocates of campaign limits will be deterred. If anything, they'll take it as evidence government regulation of political speech isn't pervasive enough. Fairy tales die hard.
In 2000 -- when there were no state contribution limits -- total independent expenditure committee spending on legislative races was $376,000.Here are the total IE spending stats for statewide candidates:
In 2006 -- with contribution limits -- total IE spending on legislative races exploded to $23.8 million.
2002 (no contribution limits): $526,00Boy, contribution limits sure go the money out of politics, huh?
2006 (with limits): $29.47 million
This is just more evidence that contribution limits do not get money out of politics -- they simply re-direct campaign spending away from the control of candidates and into the hands of IE committees. They diffuse accountability and make it more difficult for candidates to communicate with voters.
Not that die-hard advocates of campaign limits will be deterred. If anything, they'll take it as evidence government regulation of political speech isn't pervasive enough. Fairy tales die hard.
CATEGORY:
Liberty
