U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, candidate for the Toledo-Cleveland 9th Congressional District, on Tuesday called for a Constitutional amendment to publicly fund federal election campaigns and prohibit private contributions.
The resolution was introduced last week in the House and Mr. Kucinich is the only sponsor.
Mr. Kucinich, of Cleveland, is embroiled in a tough contest against U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Toledo, for the 9th District nomination.
Over the weekend, Mr. Kucinich won the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party's endorsement - with the exception of the Lakewood city delegation who backed Miss Kaptur. On Sunday, Miss Kaptur nailed the endorsement of the Democratic officials of Lorain city, a key swing district in the five-county district.
Money is going to be an issue in the campaign that ends with the election March 6. Reports are due on Jan. 31 will shed light on whether he will have the money to run an aggressive television advertising campaign against Miss Kaptur - and vice versa. (The last time they reported, Sept. 30, 2011, Miss Kaptur had more than $600,000 in the bank and Mr. Kucinich had about $90,000.)
Here's the Kucinich news release on the high cost of running for office:
Washington D.C. (January 24, 2012) – Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today took the House floor, urging fellow Members of Congress to support a constitutional amendment to rescue American democracy by publicly funding federal elections.
“One of the biggest stumbling blocks to America’s economic recovery is corporations can legally buy elections and then influence policies which move millions of jobs out of America, which escape taxation by off shoring profits, which cash in on wars, which press military industrial spending through the roof.
“While we pledge allegiance to the Red, White, and Blue, corporations, whose only allegiance is to green, are selling out America and they are becoming ever more powerful because of a Supreme Court decision in Citizens United which effectively turns this government into an auction where policies may go to the highest bidder.
“House Joint Resolution 100 is a constitutional amendment which aims at taking all private money out of elections and returning government to the people.
“I urge my colleagues to support H.J.Res. 100 so that we can break the golden shackles which are imprisoning this government right now and get rid of corporate influence once and for all.
“No private money in elections. Support H.J.Res. 100.”
YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzmCmwRLhr4&feature=youtu.be
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