LETTER: Buying power replacing free speech in Wisconsin elections

To Ozaukee Press:

     The state of Wisconsin is under siege by a bunch of outsider billionaires. It’s an attack. Is it any wonder people get disgusted with politics to the point of not bothering to vote?

     Certainly, candidates need to have methods to get their names and messages known, but it is no longer free speech—it’s buying power. If the National Football League can implement a salary cap, why can’t there be spending caps for politics? Probably because politicians like the free ride of unlimited billionaire funding.

     Here’s my start: No outside money allowed for state campaigns. Funding needs to originate from in state, no exceptions. Nationally: Any Super PAC or donor needs to do a 2 to 1 dollar match (let’s call it a campaign tariff). If someone contributes $10 million to a campaign, it will cost them another $10 million for charities and another $10 million toward the national debt and Social Security fund solvency.

     I’m waiting for the executive order to be signed.

Jerry Gundrum

West Bend