Simple Campaign Finance Reform in Illinois

There is a fun suggestion going around the internet about how to reform politics in Illinois. It involves establishing a two term limit in Illinois. One in office and one in jail. Being serious for a moment, there is a quite simple solution that would dramatically reduce corruption. When all else fails, stay simple.

NO one may contribute to an Illinois election campaign more than $2,500 per campaign cycle. Only legal residents of the state of Illinois may make such contributions. No contributions to any IL political campaign, whether in-kind, or in cash, may be made by any party, committee, business or any other organization. Any organization may organize and encourage individual contributions of its members.

Now, every current politician and lobbyist in Illinois will suggest dozens of reasons why the simple formula above can't possibly work. But, ask the citizens if it works. Ask actual voters what is wrong with the above? Then listen carefully what voters say and who says it.

Cash for Clunkers and Simple Math

A vehicle at 15 mpg and 12,000 miles per year uses 800 gallons a year of gasoline.
A vehicle at 25 mpg and 12,000 miles per year uses 480 gallons a year.
So, the average clunker transaction will reduce US gasoline consumption by 320 gallons per year.
They claim 700,000 vehicles – so that's 224 million gallons / year.
That equates to a bit over 5 million barrels of oil.
5 million barrels of oil is about ¼ of one day's US consumption.
And, 5 million barrels of oil costs about $350 million dollars at $75/bbl.
So we all contributed to spending $3 billion to save $350 million.

How good a deal was that ???

And these are the same guys wanting to take over health care. Better check their numbers.