Campaign Finance Reform
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The Campaign Finance Reforms issues that are in main concern are divided into four separate categories: soft money, hard money, PACs (Political Action Committees) and Issue ads. Soft money is money given to the political parties which is not subject to the contribution and spending limits of the Federal Elections Campaign Act (FECA). It is not subject to those provisions of FECA because it is not used to expressly advocate the election or defeat of specific candidates. Unlimited contributions and spending of soft money have always been lawful in the United States. During the brief period when soft money was not allowed in the system, the results were bad. In the presidential election of 1976 Congress noted a marked drop off in grass roots party campaigning. State, local, and national parties could not spend money for the traditional bumper stickers, yard signs, slate cards, and other grass roots activity, and these traditional aspects of American campaigns suffered. But many felt, and I agree, that this type of grassroots campaigning plays an important role in linking citizens to the political parties and the American system of democratic self-governance. Soft money serves a number of valuable purposes in the political system. Hard money is a set amount of money that a candidate may receive...