Ohio campaign finance seems so connected to voting issues.

[madfloridian]

As Senator Hagan says below, our government is for sale.

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041217/NEWS24/412170394

Ohio Senate panel OKs campaign-funding plan
Bill would quadruple political-donation limits

By JIM PROVANCE
BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU
COLUMBUS - A Senate committee yesterday set the stage for a full chamber vote on a controversial bill quadrupling how much individuals and political committees may contribute to candidates.
Opponents pointed to several issues they argue could be declared unconstitutional by the courts. The bill contains an unusual clause invalidating the entire law, including more popular provisions requiring extensive reporting of campaign contributions and spending, if a single section is struck down.

"There are some people who don't really care if this bill goes away," said Senate Minority Leader Greg DiDonato (D., Dennison).
The bill would quadruple the current cap on how much an individual or political action committee is allowed to give to a candidate from $2,500 to $10,000 for each primary and general election.

The debate attracted the attention of former Vermont governor and Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean.

"Full disclosure is nice, but the real shame here is the dramatic expansion of the power of the wealthiest corporations in America over ordinary working people's lives ...," he said in a conference call with reporters.

"You can disclose all you want after the fact, but what really matters is will a small group of people be able to pour enormous wealth into somebody's campaign and overcome all grass-roots support that another more qualified candidate might be able to engender," he said."

A full transcript of the interview should be available on the blog later today.

Meanwhile, another Senator from Ohio joins the fray.
http://www.blogforamerica.com/archives/005678.html

SNIP.."GOP Greed
Democracy for America is pleased to welcome several Ohio Senators as guest bloggers on the topic of the Republican-driven campaign finance reform bill in that state. Senator Bob Hagan joins us today from Youngstown, Ohio.

This campaign finance proposal from the Republicans is just about greed. It's unbelievable how much money is already pouring into our political system and corrupting it. I'm sure many of you reading this suspect that your government is for sale to the highest bidder. The Republicans' proposal in Ohio should confirm your worst suspicions...."

I believe more senators will be blogging today. Not sure.
www.blogforamerica.com

[regularjoe]

1. Right on. Expose that corruption. n/t

[regularjoe]

2. Self-deleted Dupe.