Imagine laws, leaders not being influenced

For meaningful health care reform, first achieve meaningful campaign finance reform. The convoluted logic of this health care bill and countless other pieces of legislation is unduly influenced by money that has addicted our politicians to the re-election “fix.”

Imagine a world where politicians could only accept donations from individuals. No PAC money, no funds channeled through political parties or transferred from one politician's war chest to another's and no funds made available by corporations designed solely for the purpose of skirting campaign finance laws. If donations could only be accepted from constituents, the health care bill would look completely different.

Our Founding Fathers didn't envision a free speech amendment evolving into complete control of the legislative process by special interest groups. They didn't envision our elected representatives focusing on re-election from the first day they took office.

Why can't a representative or senator display the guts to shun the power and purse strings of party leadership and refuse to fall in lock step?

Bill Skow

Toledo