Should we set limits on political donations?

Political Donations refers here to the controversy over the public's right to give money to political campaigns of their choice.

One side says:
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  • The Supreme Court has ruled that campaign donations amount to free speech.

    In its decision, the Court decided that it was better to err on the side of protecting the public's Constitutionally-protected right to free speech, and treat money as speech.

  • Donating money is no different from donating time (volunteering for a campaign).

    Giving money to a campaign is a sign of commitment and belief. We certainly wouldn't want to restrict people's ability to give their time to a campaign.

  • Freedom of Speech: Is Money Free Speech?
  • Is Money Speech?

The other side says:
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  • Money is used to finance things that have nothing to do with speech.

    Campaign donations can be used to pay for rent, travel, even dirty tricks. None of this can remotely be considered "protected speech" according to the First Amendment.

  • Large campaign donations make voters unequal.

    Democracy is supposed to be about one person one vote. Unlimited campaign financing creates huge inequality between voters, and makes it hard to believe in the process.

  • Money is Speech: A Musical History of Campaign Finance
  • Donald Trump: "I love the idea of campaign finance reform"