WASHINGTON -- In opening the U.S. Senate debate on campaign-finance reform, Republican John McCain asked his colleagues to "take a risk for our country." But his proposals would stifle, not expand, political debate in America. Congress should instead relax election controls, thereby encouraging more -- not less -- participation in the democratic process.
Building on his highly touted but unsuccessful run for the White House, McCain has joined Wisconsin Democrat Sen. Russell Feingold to propose banning "soft money" contributions to political parties and restrict independent issue advertising close to elections. A competing proposal from Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, backed in principle by President George W. Bush, would limit soft money while leaving advertising alone. All would increase the contribution limit for candidates.
Advocates of "reform" regularly assert that there is too much money in politics and that it is corrupting the process. In fact, Americans spend too little on campaigns.