The Supreme Court struck down Vermont's strict limits on campaign contributions and spending yesterday, in a splintered ruling that left intact the constitutional basis of current campaign finance laws but may make it difficult to put new curbs on money in politics. . . . Although the court said the government retains the power to restrict contributions, for the first time it declared specific limits to be too low — perhaps opening the way to challenges on some long-standing restrictions, such as the 30-year-old $5,000 contribution limit for political action committees. (Washington Post, Tuesday)
To get money out of our politics, first get politics out of our money.
FEE Timely Classic
Campaign Finance: The Symptom, Not the Problem by John T. Wenders