“Hey Mom, she started it; No I didn’t, he started it!”
Political back and fourths
By Arnie Sherr http://sherrent.info/AskArnie.php

How many of us with brothers and/or sisters or even really close friends remember saying the above after our parents or even an adult other than a parent (a teacher, etc) stepped-in to break-up arguments. “He started it; No she did, I swear!”

Earlier today Barack Obama recanted an earlier statement that he along with McCain would accept public financing to fund his run in the general election. Of course, McCain is pouting angrily about his worthy opponent’s tactical decision to do what he thinks will advantage his stakes in the months leading up to December 9, 2008. The pundits, well they are doin’ the “he started it; no he started routine for both candidates. Barack spoke too soon about using public funding, but McCain said one thing and voted another, but Barack’s team attacked Cindy for turning over incomplete tax returns, but the McCain campaign scolded Michelle for her misstatement about being proud of this country, and the list goes on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and so one.

Just like a couple a juveniles, they banter back and forth; only the pundits are keeping score much the same as the announcers that spout obscure stats and theories about strategy at every Ray’s game at Tropicana Field and elsewhere. But you know there is a bigger picture about campaign financing.

Of this campaign and at this point however, each of the two candidate’s proceeds funding-wise and because it is not this one segment of public financing that by itself will revamp campaign finance Barack’s change of mind doesn’t matter. It must start before the primaries.

Over my entire lifetime (65 years, keep it a secret?), I can not remember when most I spoke to about their election choices that their reasoning was not that they were selecting the lesser of however many evils are running in the primary and the lesser of two in the general election. Why do you suppose that is? Perhaps the reason is because the way the system is set up average Americans who may in fact be much better qualified can not (1) accumulate the needed numbers of signatures in each of the primary states to get on the respective state’s ballot and (2) even if they were to get on the ballot they probably can not raise enough money to compete in the respective primary effectively. I submit, until campaign finance reform attends the entire process, inclusive of the primaries the playing field will never be level.

The way in which the funding system is designed the average well-qualified “Joe” has no way to participate. In order for the playing field to be “Fair and Balanced” (no sarcasm intended), qualifying criteria for each state’s ballot must be attainable to all, who by other more logical criteria are permitted to compete. It is at this point that campaign funding reform is needed.
Campaign donations on federal tax returns must be mandatory – at present it is optional – and on state returns as well. Federal for the general election and the state for its primary. An example might be $1.50 per federal return and $15.00 per state return because as in this past primary there were more than 20 combined candidates.

This is where the Playin’ field gets leveled. In the primary the states shall divide equally the state return election fund. Every candidate campaigns with the same amount of money, no personal funding or outside donations permitted. There are many leadership and economic transparencies that voters will be witness of and may consider when going to the polls - money management, fiscal responsibility, and more.

For the general campaign the federal election fund shall be divided equally between the two nominees; would this be the case now, Barack would not be dealing with the scolding’s he must tolerate for his flip-flop.

I firmly believe, under this campaign funding ethic, American’s would actually be voting for the “better of the two good’s.”

Just as of other challenges the Congress makes them complicated, therefore difficult debates append; vetoes, filibusters and then angry and frustrated citizens. Immigration is another example; simply take away the jobs and those here illegally will self-deport. I went fishing for bass once; I tried fishing without baiting the hook – you fill in the rest.

To summarize, do I really care whether or not Obama uses public funding? NO. Do I give-a-hoot whether Cindy McCain shows her complete tax returns or not? NO. Could I care less, about the “McCain started it, no it was Obama, he did it first,” routines? You can bet your bippy (dating myself) I don’t.

What I am passionate about is that every American who genuinely feels qualified and believes he or she will benefit “We the People,” has an equal opportunity not only to run, but also to be President of the United States of America.