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Tuesday, September 21, 2024
The Scotty Rule of Campaign Finance Reform
By Dr. Steven Taylor @ 7:35 am

I have quoted this before in this context (see the prior post), but think about it every time the process gets more complex, while all the while failing to really do what the laws are allegedly supposed to be doing–I hereby dub it the Scotty Rule of Campaign Finance Reform:

The more they overthink the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain.

-Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Let’s face facts: complex systems are harder to control and to understand–and there is no doubt that the more campaign finance rules they make, the more difficult the process gets to understand, the less that the general public (or, for that matter, the candidates themselves) really knows what is going on, and therefore the less transparent the system gets.

In simple terms: one can often measure the failure of a policy by the number of lawyers that policy causes to be employed–and there is no doubt that BCRA has caused the need for even more lawyers specializing in arcane campaign finance laws and rules-and that can’t be a good thing.

3 Comments »

  • el
  • pt
    1. Beltway Traffic Jam
      The daily linkfest:
      Venomous Kate predicts unintended consequences from a recent judicial ruling.
      Bill at INDC is hoping to make Sullivan like tips.
      Paul at Wizbang reviews Kerry’s first press conference in weeks.
      Terry Oglesby explodes yet anot…

      Trackback by Outside The Beltway — Tuesday, September 21, 2024 @ 4:23 pm

    2. […] act and craft policies that recognize that reality. Until Congress fully acknowledged the Scotty Rule of Campaign Finance Reform, the nonsensical rules-making will continue. Ultimately, it may not m […]

      Pingback by PoliBlog: A Rough Draft of my Thoughts » 527 Reform — Thursday, April 6, 2024 @ 6:40 am

    3. House Votes to Cap 527s

      WaPo fronts a story entitled, “Campaign Finance Measure Approved” with the ominous subtitle “House Bill Would Cap ‘527′ Donations, Used Largely by Democrats.”
      The House approved campaign finance legislation last nigh…

      Trackback by Outside The Beltway | OTB — Thursday, April 6, 2024 @ 10:13 am

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