Follow the Money
BY Larry Sutton
We have all often heard the phrase “Follow the Money” used in efforts to unravel a system of unwanted behavior. The reason we often hear it is that it is true.
Politics is a perfect example. If the political system allows outside money to flow to individual politicians (as the current system does in the United States), the result will be that the money becomes a magnet for politicians who either want the money outright, or the power the money can buy, thus making them servants to the sources who are offering it (for their own purposes: political favors).
We all see it happening year in, year out. We all know it’s true. Corporate money, wealthy individuals, PACs, Super PACs. We know it’s a negative influence on our political system. My question is, what steps are necessary to change that system?
In my view, campaign finance reform is the most important single issue to address before anything else can be reformed. If elections were all financed by a public fund, the politicians would be freed of the money shackles, and able to once again act on principles. Only then can we press the politicians to act on other reforms, whether they be left, right or center.
Ever since the Supreme Court’s decision in the Citizens United case, this country has gone down the wrong path as far as elections are concerned. Politicians no longer serve voters, they serve lobbyists. They serve their national party office, whether they are Democrats or Republicans. They serve PACS. They serve the sources of the money that gets them elected, and re-elected.
How do we encourage Congress, who is currently addicted to the money stream, to vote for reforms that end the money stream? I believe the entrance of a credible, independent, third party into the national political stage (with campaign reform as a central goal) would rattle the two existing parties into action. I think the current elected reps would fear the loss of their electorate – who would quickly support finance reform – and they would jump on the bandwagon to keep the votes.
How do we establish a credible, independent third party? I believe a small-but-growing grassroots movement (with campaign reform as a central goal) would attract the attention of enough big players to get a new party off the ground. One key: A few financiers and high level candidates would have to be convinced the support exists to run a successful campaign.
How do you build a grassroots movement? I believe it can happen if more organizations (like the Modern Whig Institute) push the idea, seek out other like-minded support, and use real (not fake) media outlets to amplify the message.
There is a restlessness in America right now that makes it ripe for system reform. Voters in both parties, Republicans and Democrats, are tired of politicians who serve their party before they serve their country. If a third party arrived with a focus on system reform, beginning with shutting the money pipeline, the former Democrats and Republicans would be surprised by how much common ground they share with their fellow citizens.
Larry Sutton is a retired financial executive and military veteran who grew up among small towns in the Appalachians. He is the first generation of his family to not be a farmer since they fought in the American Revolution. Larry has served on community and non-profit boards for 35 years and has a deep appreciation of local politics and the importance of citizen participation in the democratic process.
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The Modern Whig Institute is a 501(c)(3) civic research and education foundation dedicated to the fundamental American principles of representative government, ordered liberty, capitalism, due process and the rule of law.
Opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute or its members.
