[WITHDRAWN] Campaign Finance Reform Act,

[The Princehood of Lithonia]

Since this is my first attempt at a proposal, I pray that you all will help me out (even if you think it is a load of phooey). Just so you know, if someone debates me in a disrespectful manner, I will not reply. So, without further ado:

Second Draft
Campaign Finance Reform Act

Category: Furtherment of Democracy
Strength: Significant

RECOGNIZING that democracy rests upon free and proper elections carried out by a citizenry that is free from election-buying,

CONCERNED that large amounts of wealth circulating in the electoral system often lead to election-buying,

RECOGNIZING that many political parties lose elections because they have less money than other parties,

RECOGNIZING that this often leads to elections being decided based upon the amount of money a party has rather than the merits of its members and principles.

RESOLVED that each nation shall prohibit personal financial contributions to political parties, and shall work to make their nation's elections more fair through the following,

Sec. 1. The National, federal, or confederal government shall set aside at least ___ percent of its total revenue in order to establish a Common Party Campaign Finance Fund (CPCFF),
A. The funds in the CPCFF shall be distributed equally to the qualifying parties,
A1. The Nations shall reserve the right to determine the requirements for the CPCFF.
B. Taxpayers may voluntarily give extra money to the CPCFF. Such funds shall be distributed according to Clause A of Section 1.

Sec. 2. Member nations must ensure that all funds held in the CPCFF are used solely for party campaigning. All unused funds after the election must be returned by the parties to the government.
A. Member nations are strongly encouraged to give this money back to their citizens as a tax refund.

Sec. 3. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as to require elections in nations where no elections are currently held. Furthermore, nothing in this act shall be construed as to require either a multi-party, or a two-party electoral system.

Is this slightly better?

Note: Previously named the Purist Democracy Act. However, it seems that Campaign Finance Reform Act is a better name for it.

[Hirota]

RESOLVED that each nation shall place a limit of _____ per person for financial contributions to political parties.

This is your biggest problem. Whatever value you place here will receive criticism for being too high/too low/ too inflexible.

Otherwise it's reasonably well-written for a first attempt, and the preamble is well presented.

[Tribes Republic]

In The Colony of Tribes Republic Businesses are not allowed to give any monies to political parties so this proposed resolution will have no effect on Tribes Republic

[Cvtopia]

The people and government of Cvtopia oppose this totalitarian legislation.

[Of the Quendi]

"Perhaps moral decency would be a better category for this proposal by the Lithonian embassy, it seems to have the air of condescending superiority of moral decency proposals about it." Lady Malréd, acting WA Delegate for Pardes, spoke coldly. She was not entirely unbiased as she had been receiving a steady stream of phone calls from major contributors to her various campaigns roaring against the proposal.

"The Lithonian embassy implies that voters are lacking the ability to form an enlightened and coherent oppinion on issues by suggesting that they can be bought by the candidates with the largest financial backing. That is an abhorently low oppinion of the intelligence of voters, in fact I would go as far as calling it insulting. The Quendi WA Embassy and the Pardesi WA Delegation will oppose this proposal in whatever way they can. Thank you." The SMFAWA roared herself.

[The Sea Territory]

You can't force democracy on anyone.

[Hirota]

You can't force democracy on anyone.

Can i suggest the ambassador reads the last clause of this draft before commenting.

I have managed to discuss this matter with a member of our upper house - whilst non-binding and not indicative of the final decision of the government, she indicated that it was unlikely the Hirotan government would move to vote for this proposal. Until such time as a final decision is communicated by my government, I inform the delegation from Lithonia that our vote will be likely to be to abstain.

[Three Weasels]

The amount of money spent is not always a determining factor in the outcome of an election. This proposal is needless as there are other factors other than money which determine the outcome of a democratic election.

[The Princehood of Lithonia]

The amount of money spent is not always a determining factor in the outcome of an election. This proposal is needless as there are other factors other than money which determine the outcome of a democratic election.

I understand. There are many factors which hinder the pure functioning of democracy, including the fact that the voters are not perfect beings (well, some may declare that elves and some other sentient beings are perfect, but that is debatable). Nevertheless, I believe that campaign finance reform is a step in the right direction. Moreover, I cannot deal with every single factor with one proposal (nor with an infinite number of proposals for that matter).

"Perhaps moral decency would be a better category for this proposal by the Lithonian embassy, it seems to have the air of condescending superiority of moral decency proposals about it." Lady Malréd, acting WA Delegate for Pardes, spoke coldly. She was not entirely unbiased as she had been receiving a steady stream of phone calls from major contributors to her various campaigns roaring against the proposal.

"The Lithonian embassy implies that voters are lacking the ability to form an enlightened and coherent oppinion on issues by suggesting that they can be bought by the candidates with the largest financial backing. That is an abhorently low oppinion of the intelligence of voters, in fact I would go as far as calling it insulting. The Quendi WA Embassy and the Pardesi WA Delegation will oppose this proposal in whatever way they can. Thank you." The SMFAWA roared herself.

Prince Fias Vannet, leader of the Princehood of Lithonia, stood up. Looking directly at Lady Malréd, he calmly spoke, "I sincerely thank you for your input, Lady Malréd. I understand your frustration, for this proposal does seem to be an offense to the average populace of a nation. Your compassion is great and I can tell that you hold your people in high esteem. I greatly admire those who care so much for their fellow citizens.

"However," Prince Fias looked around the room, "One of the most important facts of a democracy is that the voters tend to be swayed by money and demagoguery. It is not the merits of a party that gives it power in the government. We see continuous shifts in power between several parties, even though those parties have not actually changed. It seems the voters feelings about the parties change, typically in favor of the party with the most money and the best looking and speaking leaders. Sadly, I do not believe that this will ever completely change. That is a compromise one must make if he wishes to have a democracy. However, it is my duty as leader of my people to do my best to mitigate this issue as much as possible, so that the voices of my citizens are better heard.

"This is why my delegation has proposed to put a limit to individual campaign financial contributions. However, as another delegation has pointed out, it seems that the numbers for such a limit will never be agreed upon. Therefore, my delegation will propose a different kind of limit. At least then people will either completely agree or completely disagree with it based upon its principle and not its practice."

Prince Fias bows to Lady Malréd, "Again, I thank you for your input, and may the stars shine brightly upon your nation."

RESOLVED that each nation shall place a limit of _____ per person for financial contributions to political parties.

This is your biggest problem. Whatever value you place here will receive criticism for being too high/too low/ too inflexible.

Otherwise it's reasonably well-written for a first attempt, and the preamble is well presented.

Good point, and thank you for making it. I am going to try rewording that part so that nations won't criticize the proposal for its practicality, but rather for its principle. Let me know how I might better word the rest of it.

[United Federation of Canada]

AGAINST

NOT AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE!!!

[Of the Quendi]

Prince Fias Vannet, leader of the Princehood of Lithonia, stood up. Looking directly at Lady Malréd, he calmly spoke, "I sincerely thank you for your input, Lady Malréd. I understand your frustration, for this proposal does seem to be an offense to the average populace of a nation. Your compassion is great and I can tell that you hold your people in high esteem. I greatly admire those who care so much for their fellow citizens.

"However," Prince Fias looked around the room, "One of the most important facts of a democracy is that the voters tend to be swayed by money and demagoguery. It is not the merits of a party that gives it power in the government. We see continuous shifts in power between several parties, even though those parties have not actually changed. It seems the voters feelings about the parties change, typically in favor of the party with the most money and the best looking and speaking leaders. Sadly, I do not believe that this will ever completely change. That is a compromise one must make if he wishes to have a democracy. However, it is my duty as leader of my people to do my best to mitigate this issue as much as possible, so that the voices of my citizens are better heard.

"This is why my delegation has proposed to put a limit to individual campaign financial contributions. However, as another delegation has pointed out, it seems that the numbers for such a limit will never be agreed upon. Therefore, my delegation will propose a different kind of limit. At least then people will either completely agree or completely disagree with it based upon its principle and not its practice."

Prince Fias bows to Lady Malréd, "Again, I thank you for your input, and may the stars shine brightly upon your nation."

For a moment the Quendë diplomat contemplated the words of the Lithonian prince finding herself almost in concert with the Prince. Despite her kind words about the intelligence of voters the entire Amanitte Democracy was a case study of how a completely democratic regime could fall under the influence of a non-elected elite. But still if Malréd supported the proposal that non-elected elite would not be pleased, why her opinion had to remain fixed. ”I must say that I like the idea of having parties pay a percentage of their income to a shared campaign fund better than the previous one. Still I fear that such a solution, apart from being highly intervening into affairs that I consider a national prerogative, is somewhat country specific. In my own country where all campaign funds comes from parties themselves it would perhaps make sense, but what about countries where government funding is the main source of campaign funding? Section 1. A. also strikes me as problematic. If the very smallest party can receive campaign funding then we will risk seeing a myriad of parties spring up simply for the people behind them to enrich themselves, their friends and family without ever having any intention of partaking in any elections. No I must remain opposed to this proposal. This issue can best be handled by the member states themselves, or in my country’s case by the confederated realms.” The ambassador-turned-delegate, creed.

AGAINST

NOT AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE!!!

The first time Lady Malréd had heard the Canadian Ambassador shout his NatSov war cry from the top of his lungs at a civilized and calm debate she had not taken much notice. An overly enthusiastic ambassador from a new member state was hardly unusual. The second time she had found it mildly annoying but had none the less discarded it as an infantile disorder likely soon to pass. But it went on, and it went on, and now the WA delegate for Pardes had had enough with the yelling. ”Perhaps the right honorable ambassador for Canada would be so kind as to enlighten this most august assembly on his reasons for perceiving this issue not to be international rather than simply shout it as loudly as he possibly can?” The SMFAWA requested politely.

[Transnapastain]

AGAINST

NOT AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE!!!

So yeah, this, and your other garish postings earned you an informal warning for spamming and garish posting

Another misstep will lead to more punitive actions.

[Paper Flowers]

Otherwise it's reasonably well-written for a first attempt, and the preamble is well presented.

OOC: Agreed, it's nice to see a new author with a reasonably flushed out idea and who has come to the forums before submitting it.

IC: As with the other draft currently presented by the author, there seems to be sufficient loopholes provided to avoid and/or abuse this legislation to the point of meaninglessness. Take for example clause A1, what is there to stop a member nation from setting requirements on political parties in such a way that only the ruling party is able to make use of this funding?

I am curious as to the reasoning behind specifying only 3 types of government in Section 1, does this mean that any government which does not define itself as one of these is therefore exempt from the whole proposal?

Overall we are opposed to this legislation at this time.

Ambassador Saunders

[Leutria]

Hmm, as for the loop hole mentioned by Paper Flowers perhaps it could be filled by making it something like "Qualifying parties defined as those who gained at least 5% of the popular vote in the last election"?

[Three Weasels]

We remain inadequately convinced that campaign finance reform is necessary let alone an international issue.

Hmm, as for the loop hole mentioned by Paper Flowers perhaps it could be filled by making it something like "Qualifying parties defined as those who gained at least 5% of the popular vote in the last election"?

Then a nation could force enough political parties that no one party could ever get more than 4.9%. Genius!

[The Maynard Islands]

Sec. 1. The National, federal, or confederal government shall set aside at least ___ percent of its total revenue in order to establish a Common Party Campaign Finance Fund (CPCFF),

I understand the sentiment the Act is aiming to bring, and I support the sentiment. But I also don't believe this is an international issue.
The main sticking point for me is this clause. Is it the Government's role to finance political parties? Isn't this like giving the fox the keys to the hen house? The government should be focusing on its key areas of spending such as Law and Order and the Economy, not the elections which dictate who would be in power to make those decisions.

Saying that distributed equally to qualifying parties allows this to be gerrymandered. In a country which uses the MMP proportional system like mine, smaller parties often dictate how governments are formed. So if a barrier of say 10% of the party vote is put in place, this would benefit the reigning party as only it and it's nearest competitor would receive funding. It's much easier to try and win against one party than it is against five or six. What about Independents? They would not qualify for funding as they are not a "party".

Taxpayers may voluntarily give extra money to the CPCFF. Such funds shall be distributed according to Clause A of Section 1.

Also, I don't like the idea of allowing tax payers to donate money to the fund, yet not being able to say which party they want to give money to. Currently, a person can donate to what every party they wish, under this clause however, a Conservatives donation might end up being given to a Liberal party despite there wishes to donate to their respective party.

It is for these reasons I will not be supporting the Act, but congratulate the member who drafted it.

[The Princehood of Lithonia]

I wish to apologize to all of you for my short absence. I thank all of you for your help and thoughts on this proposal. Although I believe strongly in reform such as this, I must change my mind and agree with many of the delegates in saying that this should be a national issue. Therefore, I am withdrawing the proposal.