Shays-Meehan Campaign Finance Reform Bill

Paper Summary:

The author discusses the negative effect of the Shays-Meehan Campaign Finance Reform Bill on the Democratic Party. He evaluates areas of finance, organization, public perception of victory, freedom of speech and the potential court challenge. The Democratic Party is urged to consider changes that would invalidate this legislation.

From the Paper:

"In theory, the bill sounds like a promising idea as well as a noble political cause. This bill would abolish "soft money," the unlimited monetary contributions usually made by unions, corporations, interest groups and wealthy individuals to national, state and local political parties ("Key Provisions of Shays-Meehan"). This money, according to critics, is used to influence elections, buy politicians, and is said to have caused much of the campaign finance scandals of 1996. Many believe that ending this flood of special interest money will restore integrity to decision making in congress (Americans for Reform)."

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