Re: [ManisteeDems 9853] Digest for manisteedems@googlegroups.com - 2 updates in 1 topic

[Rick Schrock]

The practical thing about this kind of public financing is that it can be done at the state level.  We don't need Congress.  We don't need the Supreme Court.  We don't need ultra wealthy donors.  Free elections are the foundation that democracy rests on.  It is time for reform.  Democrats should be leading the way on election financing reform.

On Wed, Feb 4, 2026 at 11:07 AM <manist...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

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• How Can We Defeat Big Money? - 2 Updates

How Can We Defeat Big Money?

Sandra Turk <dstu...@gmail.com>: Feb 03 11:13PM Hi all, I just watched this Robert Reich video about public funding for campaigns. I see Michigan is not one of the states that have this. He says Mamdani won partly due to NY public funding. This made me more curious about why Michigan doesn’t do this, or if there’s a reason it hasn’t been pursued. Inquiring minds… Thanks! Sandy   https://youtu.be/SA9_guRnKes

Raini Gilmore <rainig...@gmail.com>: Feb 03 06:21PM -0500 That is really interesting, it lessens the power of the oligarchs and gives more power to the people!

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[John Helge]

I agree that the Michigan legislature should take this on and work to get money out of politics.  The citizen's ballot petition initiative "Money Out of Politics/MOP" is a good first start as it would change the Michigan constitution to prohibit state regulated utilities and large state contractors (>$250,000/year) from contributing to any candidate for state house, senate, or executive offices.  

One good reason to understand why Michigan has not done this already is to remember that the Republican Party has held the majority in both the house and senate and the governor's office for the 40 years leading up to the 2022-24 legislative election cycle.  During the two year period when the Democrats had the trifecta more meaningful legislation was passed for the benefit of all Michigan residents.  Public funding for elections was one of the issues that was on the table, but did not get acted upon.  When the Democrats lost the majority in the house virtually nothing get done in Lansing!  We can and we must change that in November!  

John M. Helge

johnm...@gmail.com

616-915-2403

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From: manist...@googlegroups.com <manist...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Rick Schrock <wild...@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 4, 2026 11:21 AM
To: manist...@googlegroups.com <manist...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [ManisteeDems 9853] Digest for manist...@googlegroups.com - 2 updates in 1 topic

 

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[Sandra Turk]

Thank you all for your thoughts and knowledge on this issue.  I hope to see a day when big money doesn't have power in politics.

Sandy

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[Schindler]

Dear everyone;

Here are just some alternative thoughts.  While the campaign finance ballot is not a bad thing -- it really does not accomplish much.  The big and obvious loophole is for the government contractor to give money to a PAC who in turn gives it to the candidate.   Candidate will know who the "bribe" is from, but the public reports will simply list the PAC.

Public financing of elections is the ideal world. (I would love it.) Maybe someday.  But until Citizens United is reversed we have a system where "money is speech" and campaign contributions will have to be allowed.

The workable (for now) solution is to put strict caps on the amount that can be individually donated, received, and a cap of the gross amounts that can be received.  Make the cap low enough that a meaningful donation is within reach of most economic classes ---- so that donations resemble something closer to one person one vote. 

This past fall I proposed one possible workable solution on the Manistee Democrats Private Group FaceBook page -- but was surprised how little interest/support it got.   I'm open to some other proposal.  But in the meantime attached is what was proposed.

------kurt

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Kurt H. Schindler, FAICP
Pine Knolls

schi...@kaltelnet.net

231 VIking 8 4784

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From: "Sandra Turk" <dstu...@gmail.com>
To: "John Helge" <johnm...@gmail.com>
Cc: "Rick Schrock" <wild...@gmail.com>, manist...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 4, 2026 8:13:30 PM
Subject: Re: [ManisteeDems 9859] Digest for manist...@googlegroups.com - 2 updates in 1 topic

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