by James R. Olsen, Hamilton
Abraham Lincoln said, “this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Once again, the country is in trouble. This time the root cause is not war; it is money. If we are to save this great nation, we must add the Lincoln’s great speech and Gettysburg, “people vote, dollars don’t.”
Last summer, I stopped by the Ravalli County Republican Women’s Club booth. They had a “complaint” desk. My complaint was decisive politics. Asked why, I responded, “Too much money in politics.” How would you fix it? I found this a refreshing approach to politics. The Democratic and Republican parties are addicted to money — as was the RFK Jr. campaign. I believe that big money in politics has gotten so bad that it has stolen the voice of the voter.
So, I responded with a longer version of the following. I gave one to the Republican Women’s Club and a copy to the Ravalli County Democratic Central Committee.
Limited Liability is a grant, not a right:
While the United Supreme Court decided that corporations were assemblies of people under the First Amendment and the money was essential for free speech, the owners and operators of a corporation have simple and accessible means to assemble themselves as a Political Action Committee or similar assembly.
The people of Montana, through their legislature, have granted the owners and operators of Corporations limited liability — it is a grant, not a right — and is done by the people of Montana to further the efficiency of doing business with the state and purpose of engaging in election politics. It is in the best interest of the people of Montana to only grant limited liability to corporations or other entities solely for the purpose of doing business.
AMENDMENT
Modify the Montana Constitution, Article XIII, Section 1, Nonmunicipal Corporations to add.
Limited liability protection shall not be granted or applied for any corporation, domestic, foreign, or unregistered with the state, which uses corporate funds, directly or indirectly, to contribute to candidates, political action committees, or other organizations engaged in influencing elections for public office in the State of Montana, leaving unfettered the right for a corporation, foreign, or unregistered to speak in its own name.
Self Determination:
The citizens of Montana have the right to self-determination regarding the governance of their own state. Given that substantial amounts of money have been spent from outside the state to unduly influence elections, this amendment insists the Montanans are the only ones who may fund candidates for public office for Montana or its political subdivisions. The amendment provides for issue organizations, such as the National Rifle Association and the Sierra Club 501 c4 originations, to influence elections to the extent Montana residents fund them.
AMENDMENT
Modify the Montana Constitution, Article III, to add.
Self-determination in elections and ballot initiatives
1. Only residents of Montana who are citizens of the United States may contribute to a candidate for public office for Montana or its political subdivision or ballot initiative.
2. Only persons or entity funding entirely by residents of Montana who are citizens of the United States may contribute funds or other resources to a political action committee of any kind seeking to influence the election of a candidate for public office for Montana or its political subdivision.
3. A political party registered in the State of Montana may only be funded by residents of Montana who are citizens of the United States.
4. National issue organizations and business or labor associations which seek to affect the election of a Montana candidate or passage of a voter initiative may expend funds or resources to the extent and limited by the contributions of residents of Montana who are citizens of the United States.
One Person One Vote:
This amendment somewhat levels the playing field for the use of money to influence elections. It leaves the wealthy with an advantage over wage earners but not an unlimited advantage. While the Supreme Court has found limiting expenditures by associations to be an unconstitutional limitation of speech, it has accepted limitations on individual contributions.
AMENDMENT
Modify the Montana Constitution, Article III, to add.
The maximum amount any person may contribute to candidates for public office in the State of Montana and its political subdivisions and voter initiations is 50% of the average annual earned income in Montana; this average is to be determined by law passed by the Montana legislature.