Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., will speak on campus today. In his speech, he is expected to reiterate the importance of campaign finance reform.

We could not agree with him more. For that reason, we also would like to repeat the reasons why campaign finance reform is so important. It seems that only through repetition can we continue to build support for the necessary Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2001.

First of all, the Federal Election Commission's limit on campaign contributions means absolutely nothing. Special interests can contribute unlimited amounts of so-called soft money to Political Action Committees, which are set up to benefit a particular candidate. In the most recent campaign, then-candidate George W. Bush raised about $100 million dollars. Not only did Bush raise the most campaign money in history, but he came within one U.S. Supreme Court justice of losing the election anyway.

Under the new McCain-Feingold legislation, PACs would no longer be allowed to accept these unlimited donations.

Issue ads run by corporations and unions go unchecked as of now. You know those ads you see bashing a particular candidate in the name of "Citizens for freedom and adorable babies?" Those are usually run by wealthy individuals, corporations or special interest groups.

Under the new McCain-Feingold legislation, these groups couldn't run ads that mentioned a particular candidate's name within 60 days of an election. The bill would also require disclosure of who really spent what on which ads.

The way it is now, Denise Rich was able to donate over $867,000 to the Democratic party. And when she asked for a pardon for her ex-husband, he got it.

Under the new McCain-Feingold legislation - well, you get the picture.

The McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill will go before the Senate for a vote either March 19 or 26. If you agree with the assessments of McCain or with this editorial, write to your Senators and tell them to vote to pass the bill. Otherwise, America is doomed to more election years dominated by issues that only special interests care about, and more fugitives who buy their way out of justice.


For more information about campaign finance reform, go to www.brook.edu/gs/cf/cf_hp.htm.
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