"No matter what your social issue, if you want to solve it get the money out of politics. Only then will lawmakers vote for their people rather than their pocketbooks." Jack E. Lohman. Money corrupts politics, and when contributions are being made to candidates it is not in the best interest of the American people. Campaign Finance is out of control in today's political races. Candidates are taking money from wherever and whoever they can get it. Soft money is flowing through elections without care or caution. People who make these contributions do not share the views of the average citizen, so politicians end up representing the wrong people. Money decides races, sometimes leaving the better man but lighter spender out of a position. Candidates make decisions based on what will help them financially that what is better for the people. Contributions by industry are made not in the interest of the people, sometimes hurting them in ways they don't even know. No matter what the opposition may say campaign finance reform is needed urgently to keep our democracy as our founders intended it.

People and corporations that make the largest donations to campaigns

do not share views with the general population. Politicians will listen to those who give them money so that they can depend on that money being there again when it is time for reelection. Yet individual donors making a $200 dollar or more contribution make up only .33% of the population. This extremely small percentage of mostly wealthy individuals gain the power to influence politicians to their liking. The idea that these people should have power to affect government more than those with less money goes against the concept of equality for all, which is what made this country great. People who make large donations do not share the same views on most issues as the general population. Robert L. Borosage and Ruy Teixeira report that while 53 percent of voters want stricter regulations on businesses and corporations, to give workers a fair salary and working conditions, 58 percent of campaign donors want to see less control over the businesses and corporations of America. Donors also want less government spending with lower taxes, while the majority of citizens want a larger, more powerful government. A very tiny part of our population is giving money to campaigns telling candidates what they have to do to continue getting campaign contributions, yet these people do not represent the ideology and sentiment of the people as a whole. There must be a change in the way that campaigns are financed if democracy is to survive. If we do not reform campaign finance we will have politicians working only for those who can afford to contribute.

Donations made by corporations often hurt individuals either financially or even medically. Corporations make up a large portion of the groups that give generous donations. These corporations do not care what is good for the people, all they care about is their own bottom line. If this means shipping unsafe or unhealthy products, that is what will be done. Food companies have donated $41 million dollars on the promise by candidates, that once in office, will not make stricter regulations on e-coli protection. E-coli is a deadly bacteria that infects numerous people every year. But as a result of donatoins by food companies, goverment will not regulate these companies to protect Americans. Food companies are not alone, the cotton industry is also at fault. Safety standards that some companies include on night wear voluntarily because of the great risk of burns, are not national law. The cotton industry gives generous contributions to Congress in hopes that any legislation concerning safety standards will be shut down. These are safety standards that have already saved dozens of lives and could save many more. Campaign money from industries stops laws that would help out every American. New drugs are released into the market for public use everyday. The company that originated the drug holds a patent on that drug for an amount of time, after this time any company can make this drug and offer it at a competitive price. Co

Some common words found in the essay are:
Milwaukee WI, Americans Food, Campaign Finance, Robert Reich, American Prospect, Opponents Campaign, America Donors, John Public, Ruy Teixeira, Finance Hurt, campaign finance, corporate welfare, finance reform, share views, safety standards, decisions based, campaign finance reform, food companies, taxes corporate welfare, people represent, soft money, population politicians,
Approximate Word count = 2019
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)