Several things are important in a stable democracy. One, of course, is balance of power, as in “checks and balances.” The framers of the original U.S. Constitution attempted to achieve those, but (as, unfortunately, we’ve seen) they depended far too much on “the good will of good men.”
But, another important element in support of a stable democracy is TRANSPARENCY. As they say (or used to…), “Democracy dies in the darkness.” Transparency allows in the sterilizing light.
“Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” But, also, “Money is power, and power is money.”
There as many corrupting influences as there are people, but the greatest corrupting influence in politics is money. Therefore:
The Transparency of Money Amendment
Any individual or organization that collects, receives, donates, or spends money or other items of value for political purposes, the annual total in excess of ONE QUARTER of the most recent median per capita income, must file publicly available reports with the Federal government, on a calendar quarterly basis, detailing any total amounts received or disbursed in excess of ONE QUARTER of the most recent median per capita income along with the person or organization giving or receiving said total amount. Failure to do so is grounds for impeachment and/or removal from office for office holders, and punishment for any person or organization as law allows or requires. The Federal government MUST make all such reporting publicly accessible no later than three months after having been filed.
No office holder nor candidate for office nor political group subject to the laws of the United States may accept anything of value from non-U.S. persons or groups.
Anyone convicted of violating this amendment or any laws implementing penalties for violation of this amendment may never again hold a governmental office.
No statute of limitations may be applied to this amendment or any laws implementing penalties for violation of this amendment.
This is not a cure-all, but it would be a huge step in the right direction. No more SuperPacs that hide dark money contributions, no more anonymous contributions. There’s probably better wording or structure for this, but large money contributions in any way or fashion is highly corrosive to a functioning democracy. Large money contributions are primarily useful in building oligarchies and monopolies.
-Everett