The measure suggested by Ballot Question 2 is just one more contribution to the muddled landscape of campaign finance regulations. It is objectionable on innumerable grounds. For instance, it does nothing to prevent individuals from personally financing their campaigns at levels far above the cap on public disbursements. And even if all the candidates abided by the conditions that would control the availability of public funds, the resulting equity in spending would merely enhance the already powerful advantage of incumbency.
Further, it compels taxpayers to financially support political perspectives which they may find abhorrent. The only workable solution to the campaign financing quandary is to remove the existing limits on personal contributions that force candidates to devote so much time to fundraising and makes them so dependent on soft money. --Melissa Rose Langsam '00 Noah D. Oppenheim '00
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To the Fly, Our Deepest Sympathies
