ENHANCE CAMPAIGN FINANCE?
GirlsMatter members came into my room reeling with exhaustion from the middle school election campaign for president. Obviously, involvement in an election was a lot more work than anticipated. But, oh what an investment in their life experience toward adulthood. Em said, "Now this campaign is a believable REALITY SHOW. Better yet, I think we can call it "Survivor" but without all the cool background music and instead of winning money you need a lot of money and friends just to run for the office!"
Campaign financing blurbs began falling from everyone’s lips. "It’s not fair that I couldn’t run because I couldn’t get enough people to give me their money. (The magnificent teacher had to use crowd and time control by requiring every candidate to gather $10K of play money from their supporters. No money…no run!) The girls felt cheated that some of the candidates able to run were more popular, bribed kids to give them money, or promised to do something for them if elected. Or at least it seemed that way to them. " I have better grades and issues that would help the kids at school… not stupid gum chewing!" " I didn’t even try to run because of my Islamic beliefs." Reform and donations were words that came to my mind.
We pulled up the cartoon on WomenMatter (above) The girls all voiced their reactions. They understood how government could set the rules and decide where the money goes about food for the homeless, No Child Left Behind educational testing and cheaper pills for Grandma.
Reforming campaign financing is where the brain disconnection occurred. What they did know was that because of their election experience some felt cheated and didn’t even want to vote, while others liked the way the financing for the candidates had been done. Some girls said that it was a violation of Freedom of Speech if they couldn’t give their own saved school money plus the amount the teacher had given to each student at the beginning of the election to their favorite candidate. If they didn’t have the money to run could they circulate a petition at the dance on Friday to show they had people to support them and donate to their campaign? How else could they get the word out and would the Video Club donate their services to make a commercial or would they have to pay them? Who would make the posters and write the ads for the school newspaper? Suddenly, their concerns about campaign financing became very personal. Click here for the info they found on WomenMatter.
Our election system is based on "one person, one vote" so everyone should have an equal opportunity to run for office and be a part of the political process. But not all citizens have equal amounts of money so how to fairly reform campaign financing continues to be an important topic of debate.
EDUCATE YOURSELF ACTION PLAN
- QUESTION: Read up on the latest MATCH Bill in Congress Click here. Write down questions. Sample: Is the system fair the way it is or do you think it needs to be changed?
Is too much money spent on campaigns?
Would you donate to your favorite candidate even if it were a small amount? $5 or $10? Explain.
- LISTEN: Interview your friends, parents/guardians, if possible talk to a politician in your community, teachers and definitely click on the DISCUSSION FORUM. Ask them to react to the cartoon. LISTEN and record their responses.
- FORM: your opinion now based on facts, feelings and voices.
- ACT: Report back to us on GirlsMatter DISCUSSION FORUM
Posted on: 12/29/2003
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