By Rachel Goldfarb, originally published on Next New Deal
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Big Money Can’t Buy Elections – Influence is Something Else (Reuters)
Roosevelt Institute Senior Fellow Jonathan Soros suggests stronger small-donor matching funds and reforms to the Federal Election Commission to work around Citizens United.
To make citizen-funding work, rules must be implemented and enforced effectively enough to keep up with the lawyers and political operatives who will inevitably seek to skirt them. At the federal level, that means redesigning the Federal Election Commission.The commission is now composed of three Democrats and three Republicans, with the consent of four members required to take any action. Experts offer a laundry list of reforms, but just changing it to a seven-member panel with no more than two of them affiliated with a political party, would dramatically alter its function.
The selective secrecy in election spending also must end. This could be easily accomplished under existing statutory authority by either the Federal Election Commission or the Internal Revenue Service. They could ensure that the sources of all political funds were disclosed to the public — not just to the politicians who benefit. Obviously, congressional legislation could help.
Follow below the fold for more.
A Better Way to Help the Long-Term Unemployed (The Atlantic)
Alana Semuels asks whether one successful – but relatively expensive – workforce program can be scaled up beyond its current pilots. The high costs make it a tougher sell for federal funding.
Unfriend the Fed: Rand Paul’s Attack Re-examined (WSJ)
Pedro da Costa, with help from some economists, fact-checks a Rand Paul speech on the Federal Reserve and finds the senator's understanding of the Fed and its workings limited.
The Parent Agenda, the Emerging Democratic Focus (NYT)
Nate Cohn sees a theme in the proposals that Democrats are focusing on: childcare, preschool, parental leave, free community college. It's a family-centric agenda that appeals to the middle class.
Will the Recovery Finally Translate into Better Wages? (TAP)
Robert Kuttner looks at the questions that are still in play despite a strong jobs report, including wage growth and when the Fed will decide to raise interest rates.
New on Next New Deal
Building a Better Community: MacArthur-Winning Campus Network Looks to the Future
The Campus Network's members are what earned them a MacArthur Award, writes National Director Joelle Gamble, and the award creates new opportunities to invest in those people.
What Happens if Europe Cuts Off the Greek Banks?
Roosevelt Institute Fellow J.W. Mason argues Greek banks won't collapse without the European Central Bank's support, since Greece's own central bank can maintain internal payments.