New York Times Carries Commentary on Whether U.S. Would Benefit from a Multi-Party System

Posted on by September 9, 2015
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The electronic New York Times has commentary from five individuals on whether the U.S. would benefit from strong political parties other than the Democratic and Republican Parties. Three of the writers say “yes”; two of them say “no.” The material does not appear in the print edition of the Times.

It is ironic that the piece by a Canadian law professor, Gregoire Webber, thinks the United States is better off with only two strong political parties. Canada is in the middle of an election campaign with three major parties, any one of which could potentially elect the next Prime Minister, yet Webber makes no mention of this. Thanks to Theresa Amato for the link.

Hillary Clinton Supports Public Funding for Candidates for Congress

Posted on by September 9, 2015
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On September 8, Hillary Clinton released these recommendations for campaign finance law changes. She favors public funding for candidates for federal office.

The statement does not acknowledge that the U.S. already has public funding for presidential candidates. The statement seems to hint that it is too easy now for candidates to get primary season matching funds. The statement says, “Qualifying contribution thresholds. To qualify for matching funds, candidates must first demonstrate that they have sufficient public support for a viable campaign by raising a minimum number of small donations from their constituents.”

Current law says candidates qualify for primary season matching funds by raising at least $5,000 in small donations in each of at least twenty states.

Conservative Party Minister in British House of Lords Joined Labour Party So She Could Vote for Labour Party Leader

Posted on by September 8, 2015
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Baroness Ros Altmann, a member of the British House of Lords and a minister in the Conservative government, was recently exposed as someone who had joined the Labour Party last year. All dues-paying members of the Labour Party received a postal ballot to vote on who the Labour Party leader should be. In Britain, party leaders become Prime Minister if that party wins the election.

The Labour Party combed through its membership list last month and expelled persons who are active members of other parties, but the process missed Baroness Altmann. See this story. She received a ballot, but the story does not say if she used that ballot. The votes are being counted now and the winner’s identity will be announced this week.