This study answers various questions concerning government, political campaigns, Constitutional limitations on government functions and actions, as well as other such related questions. At particular focus is campaign funding by foreign entities and Constitutional limits placed on the U.S. government, questions on lobbying and voting processes. Questions on Texas government are also addressed in this study.
Government and Elections
Should foreign interest groups be banned from attempting to influence the course of American government? Are foreign interest groups always opposed to the interests of U.S. companies and citizens?
It is reported in the work of Benen (2010) that a speech delivered by President Obama warned of "corporate takeover of our democracy" in the form of "shadowy groups raising millions in secret to help buy elections for Republicans. Benen notes the publication of 'ThinkProgress' which states that the trade association "organized as a 501(c)(6)…the U.S. Chamber of Commerce…that can raise and spend unlimited funds without ever disclosing any of its donors…has promised to spend…" the amount of $75 million to defeat specific candidates including such as "Jack Conway, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Jerry Brown, Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA), and Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA). As of Sept. 15th, the Chamber had aired more than 8,000 ads on behalf of GOP Senate candidates alone, according to a study from the Wesleyan Media Project." (Benen, 2010) The Chamber is reported to funds these political campaign attacks "out of its general account, which solicits foreign funding." (Benen, 2010) The Chamber is like to be "skirting longstanding campaign finance law" which places a ban on foreign corporation being involved in elections in the United States. While it is not clear whether all such foreign involvement in elections in the United States is such that is opposed to the interests of U.S. citizens and companies, the idea of foreign involvement in American politics is contrary to the spirit of the law in this area and foreign involvement in American politics is an idea that to most Americans is a fearful thought.
II. Why is money so important in elections? How do candidates reach potential voters?
The importance of money in elections cannot be overstated because without funding candidates cannot reach potential voters. Potential voters are reached by candidates through television, radio, and printed media ads and as well, the Internet has become a powerful tool in reaching voters. In addition to the funding required to pay for such media advertising, candidates have campaign managers and campaign staff that set up their meetings and schedule their travel. Travel requires funding as well which includes money needed to pay for transportation such as booking flights on jets and renting cars or limousines as well as other modes of transportation so that candidates can reach their destinations to give speeches or take part in debates. Public appearances require a wardrobe so that the candidates can present themselves to the public in an appropriate manner. Campaigning also requires attendance at charity functions and other public events so that candidates can mix, mingle, meet, and greet the public. The monetary expenses of political campaigning are such that require great amounts of funding. In fact, the idea that a candidate can run for political office effectively without great amounts of funding would not even be considered as feasible in today's society. Funding for political campaign is a big business. There was a ban on corporate spending on campaigns however, this ban was blocked by the Supreme Court in 2010 when it ruled that the "government may not ban political spending by corporations in candidate elections." (Liptak, 2010) The report states that the move by the Supreme Court served to overrule "two important precedents about the First Amendment rights of corporations." (Liptak, 2010)
III. How do constitutional restrictions hinder the effective and efficient operation of government?
Constitutional law restricts the President and government's authority to do the following:
(1) abolish or transfer an independent regulatory agency or all its functions;
(2) consolidate two or more independent regulatory agonies or all their functions;
(3) continue an agency or function beyond the period authorized by law;
(4) authorize an agency to exercise a function not expressly authorized by law;
(5) increase the term of an office beyond the period authorized by law; (6) deal with more than one logically consistent subject matter; or (7) abolish enforcement functions or programs established by statues. (FAO, 2010)
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