Public Campaign Money Subsidizes RNC, DNC

Color me amazed: the Democratic and Republican National Convention organizers could count on $16.8 million each from taxpayers to fund their extravaganzas.

The funds are courtesy the Presidential Election Campaign Fund (PECF) ... you know, the $3.00 check-off on your tax form. The public financing pool that Barack Obama said he would use (he he brokered a "financing truce" in March 2007) before he decided not to. The public financing pool that John McCain said he was going to use ... but will he stick with that decision given the boost to coffers that came from adding Governor Palin to the ticket?

According to Congressional Quarterly:

For example, up to $20,000 in public money can be used at each convention to purchase gifts for staff and volunteers of up to $150 each. In addition to basic convention-related expenses, including salaries, the funds can also used for bonuses, entertainment — including alcohol — and even investment of profits that would be used to defray the cost of the convention.

The more I investigate the inner workings of the two parties this year, the more I find that they are incestuously entwined with government largess and regulation. State legislatures should not have any say over when a political party -- a private organization -- holds its primary. Political parties should not be using the apparatus of November elections to select their nominees. The apparatus (polling booths, absentee ballots, etc.) implies that the process is "democratic" and that everyone has a right to vote: it's not and they don't. And voluntary taxpayer donations designed to try to reduce the need to raise advertising dollars should NOT be used to fund a four-day political rally.

I won't be checking that box again anytime soon.