Stage 3 Blog

A Confederacy of Very Smart Mice
Arnold Garcia Jr., Commentary

      This is a commentary I found on Austin American Statesman regarding the proposed new limitations on campaign contributions in city elections.  The limitations were brought up in 1997 by a group that calls itself "A Little Less Corruption", with the hopes of setting the maximum contribution level to $100 mayoral and council candidates.  In 2006, the council proposed and with voters' approval the contribution amount was raised to $300.  It is currently set at $350.
   
     Garcia says these limitations are what created "bundlers", which he says are typically lobbyists who represent development interests.  These bundlers have all of their friends give the highest amount allowed to present their candidate of choice.  It is a way to abide by the law and still get a decent amount of money to the particular candidate.  The author believes that putting a ceiling on the contributions makes it harder for people that are not already wealthy to get into the political system.
   
     A lobbyist by the name of David Armbrust, who is a known for being an experienced bundler, is not particularly worried about the proposal getting through due to the fact that it has to get passed by the council that got in the same way they would be turning against.  
   
     I think that Garcia is trying to reach an audience that may be unaware of what is happening with these limitations and who it is really harming.  He seems to be very knowledgeable about this topic in particular with having done research regarding the past proposals that surround the same issue, going back more than 10 years.
   
     I agree with the author of the commentary completely.  If we allow this to happen then we will continue to have the rich winning because it will be too hard for the "small fry" of the bunch to raise enough money to compete with the glitz and glamour of a candidate with a bigger personal stash.  The article really opened my eyes to the fact that some of the potential candidates need help to keep up with the wealthy and that we need people like the bundlers to help them achieve their goal of producing a nice campaign.