Let’s not politick like it’s 2004

Electioneering resumes this summer. That means many voters will be deluged with the same kind of mailings and automated calls and ads they endured in 2004 — including over-the-top or flat-wrong information with little or no explanation of its source. So state lawmakers need to hurry up and pass House Bill 2559 or something like it, to require prompt reporting of political expenditures and contributions, and disclosure of the sponsors of taped phone messages and the backers of groups that bankroll election-season third-party “issue” ads. The shadowy tactics of 2004 may have faded from voters’ memories, but the problem only promises to get worse this year. Legislators need to act.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

6 Comments

  1. ProudLib
    Posted March 9, 2006 at 12:59 pm | Permalink

    Heh, great idea, Rhonda, and I mean that sincerely.

    The problem? A lot of the people in office now benefitted from the sleazy tactics of 2004.

    Why should they want to change it?

    Maybe we could have more aggressive reportage on this issue–without the facade of fairness. Let people know who’s doing what, even if that means Republicans get all the “negativity” because they have all the money to do this kind of campaigning.

    Lastly, I’d be surprised if negative campaigning has the success it has enjoyed in the past. The American people give their leaders a lot of leash to do what they (the leaders) think is right.

    But if it fails miserably (like the war in Iraq), woe be upon them.

    Push polling isn’t going to change people’s perceptions of a three year war with no end in sight . . .

  2. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted March 9, 2006 at 1:13 pm | Permalink

    It would be nice to see that pass, but it would also be nice to see full disclosure before election day. As it stands now, groups can just hold their donation until after the last reporting day, and no one will know about it until AFTER the election.

    Incumbents are the problem, not the solution. And in ks, we are dumb enough to send them all back.

    You know what they say about the definition of insanity. It is doing the same things over and over and expecting different results.

  3. J
    Posted March 9, 2006 at 1:25 pm | Permalink

    It would be nice but to think those in office would pass something sensible and appropriate is asking for to much.

  4. Darwin'sDisciple
    Posted March 9, 2006 at 2:20 pm | Permalink

    I just emailed by Representative and asked her to vote for this House Bill. I cut and pasted Rhonda’s comments. I would encourage anyone interested to do the same.

  5. Darwin'sDisciple
    Posted March 9, 2006 at 6:09 pm | Permalink

    I have such a great representative. Below is an email exchange about this Bill/thread.

    Excellent! Thank you for your efforts.

    JoAnn Pottorff wrote:I am actually one of the sponsers of the bill.

    Dear Representative Pottorff:Please vote for House Bill 2559. The note below on this bill is from the Wichita Eagle blog site. Thanks.

    Electioneering resumes this summer… [remainder of post as shown above]Posted by Rhonda Holman

  6. tellitasitis
    Posted March 13, 2006 at 5:58 pm | Permalink

    Would be interesting to see the complete movie/presentation.

    Subject: [Antiwar com] America:From Freedom to Fascism

    See the trailer:

    http://www.freedomtofascism.com/