American Anti Corruption Act [Framework]

Liberty
1

Policy Title: American Anti-Corruption Act
[Framework]

Objective:
To establish robust mechanisms to prevent corruption, enhance transparency, and restore public trust in government by addressing the influence of money in politics.

Policy Summary:

The American Anti-Corruption Act aims to fundamentally reform the way politics works by focusing on three main areas:

  1. Stop Political Bribery:

    • Campaign Finance Reform: Overturn Citizens United and similar rulings to limit the amount of money in politics.
    • Lobbying Regulations: Prohibit politicians from receiving contributions from lobbyists and industries they regulate. Implement a lifetime ban on Congress members becoming lobbyists.

  2. Increase Transparency:

    • Disclosure: Require all political spending to be disclosed in real-time, including “dark money” through Super PACs and other entities.
    • Open Records: Strengthen freedom of information acts at all levels of government to ensure transparency in decision-making processes.

  3. Enforce Accountability:

    • Ethics Enforcement: Establish or empower independent ethics commissions with the authority to investigate and penalize violations by public officials.
    • Whistleblower Protections: Enhance protections and incentives for whistleblowers to report government and corporate corruption without fear of retaliation.

  4. Empower Citizens:

    • Voter Empowerment: Implement policies like ranked-choice voting, automatic voter registration, and public financing of elections to give voters more voice and choice.
    • Public Oversight: Create citizen oversight panels for monitoring government contracts and spending.

Implementation Steps:

  • Legislative Action: Drafting and proposing the Act to Congress, advocating for state-level versions where federal progress is slow.
  • Public Campaign: Launching a nationwide campaign to educate the public about the Act and gather support, potentially including petitions or referendums.
  • Alliance Building: Partner with NGOs, reform groups, and other movements to push for these reforms.

Expected Impact:

  • Reduction in the perceived and actual influence of wealthy donors and special interests in politics.
  • Increased trust in government due to higher transparency and accountability.
  • More equitable political representation and policy outcomes reflecting the will of the people rather than of moneyed interests.

Why This Policy:

Corruption erodes public trust, deters good governance, and hampers economic development. By tackling the root causes of political corruption, we can ensure that government works for all Americans, not just those with the deepest pockets.

Submission Note:
A call to action for users to discuss, vote, or propose amendments to the policy.

10 Likes
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This NEEDS to be enacted, it would drastically change how bills are passed for the better

3 Likes
3

Thanks for the feedback. Which this would get more attention!

2 Likes
4

There must be a way to monitor and verify the income of politicians and their family members. Laws should be written that create a rebuttable presumption that any unexplained income is evidence of corruption. The standard now, proof of a precise quid pro quo, is far too easy for corrupt politicians to evade. The burden should be on the person holding office to prove that their income, and the income of their family members, is legitimate.

1 Like
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Simple. All donations are capped at $500 per year, per individual registered voter. $1,000 per US Corporation, per state they have a brick and mortal presence in that must employ at least 100 Americans in that location or state. Corporate donations must only come from the parent corporation only. Corporations must be registered in the United States.
Corporations must register yearly with the government and publish their donations on their website and in their financial statements in a prominent fashion.
All citizen PACs and any other form of contribution are banned. No other financing for public office will be allowed. Candidates are limited to contributing $500 to their own campaign.
All in-kind and non-monetary donations are banned.