Maybe we’ll have Donald Trump to thank

This presidency is a catastrophe. No reasonable person, no matter where one falls on the political spectrum of Sanders to Santorum, can argue that it is not. Let’s not “waste a good crisis.” If we are truly interested in restoring greatness, we will change how we elect our leaders.
An accepted part of choosing our leaders seems a bit at odds with our brand messaging as “The World’s Greatest Democracy.” I’m speaking, of course, of bribery.
“Bribery” is not used in polite company. We prefer the more refined “Political Action Committee.” Supporters of funneling ungodly sums of money to politicians will argue they are simply exercising their First Amendment rights. The Supreme Court agreed in Citizens United vs. FEC.
The opinion of five black-robed men nominated and confirmed to their lifetime jobs by the recipients of all of this cash notwithstanding, giving money to politicians is not a sacrosanct Constitutional right. The purpose of these “donations” is not to exult in one’s First Amendment right of freedom of expression; it is to purchase politicians so that they will act (or not act) in one’s best interests.
Which brings us to Donald Trump. His victory was akin to a massive earthquake on lightly regarded fault. Many Americans were no longer content to choose between red and blue politicians bought for them by special interests. The release might have come from a thoughtful, articulate person of conscience, connecting with the public and riding a wave of goodwill into the White House. For reasons beyond the scope of this little polemic, we got Donald Trump.
When this disastrous presidency reaches its merciful end, we will emerge from the haze of smoldering “Breaking News” alerts incredulous it all really happened. Realistically, however, it is unlikely anything about our electoral process will change.
Pleasant enough people will run for office on vague but reassuring promises that both politician and voter know won’t be kept. Special interests will be served by innocuous sounding legislation passed with little debate, while tackling critical issues will be studiously avoided, their cans continue to be kicked further down the road.
Alternatively, we could turn this catastrophe into an opportunity. A system based on choosing between the two best fundraisers has failed. We need accomplished problem solvers. If we choose to make all federal and statewide elections, including primaries, publicly funded, we will have a broader — and therefore better — pool of potential candidates who would be free to vote their conscious. Let’s add term limits for good measure.
12 countries have elections that are 100% publicly funded. 6 of those countries placed in the top 10 of the United Nations’ 2017 World Happiness Report. I don’t think that is a coincidence.
