Campaign Faux Sense

[Valin]

Ricochet:

Jonathan Horn

6/19/12

 

The Washington Post recently ran an obituary for the campaign finance regime. Born out of the Watergate scandals, the regime died of natural causes. Money always finds a way through. The more sectors of the U.S. economy that come under Uncle Sam's grasp, the more reason Americans will find to reach into their wallets for candidates and causes.

 

As the political class in Washington mourns for the old campaign finance regime, supporters of the system have cast their eyes toward the future. Last week, columnist George Will wrote about how an elementary school in the Washington suburbs has become a "laboratory" for a new kind of regulated democracy. Here is a preview of what could await America from Will's piece:

 

(snip)The Post says the “constraints” were first imposed “in the 2008 election cycle to keep campaign expenditures from spiraling out of control.” Something uncontrolled? Can’t have that. Otherwise corruption or the appearance thereof — the rationale for adult speech “constraints” emanating from Washington — might become the serpent in the garden that is Bethesda Elementary.