Campaign Finance Reform

It's about time. Connecticut just approved sweeping changes to campaign finance regulation:

In addition to public financing, the bill also bans contributions from special interest groups. Lobbyists, state contractors and prospective state contractors are prohibited from making contributions to candidate committees for legislative and statewide offices, candidate-affiliated political action committees (PACS) and party committees. It further closes business PAC contribution loopholes and makes contribution limits for business and labor PACs equal.

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If I had my way, all campaigns would be financed solely by a set amount (per candidate) of state or federal dollars. Let's separate some of the money from the politics and get rid of a major component of the "you-scratch-my-back-I'll-scratch-yours" system of political favors. If only we could just remove the reward system of paying back campaign benefactors with favorable legislation...God, I'm such an idealist.