Campaign Finance Reform
To Fix Washington :
Common Sense and Good Citizenship
I am a candidate nominated by petition for the November 8 th 2016 election for the 3rd Congressional District of Louisiana. I am a Prolife Conservative Republican on a campaign finance reform platform. I accept no campaign contributions and I spend no money on a campaign ( not my money or anyone else's ). I will serve with no conflict of interest, no fundraising distractions, and I will not exploit important issues for fundraising. Our country suffers under the burden of bad laws from a corrupt system in Washington. Bribery has been legalized and institutionalized in the form of campaign donations. Every issue is viewed by our congressmen as an "opportunity" for campaign fundraising. Our lawmakers have a very strong incentive to seek campaign donations. Whichever candidate spends the most money on ads will very likely win the election. Large sums of campaign money are spent on crafting an image that is then sold to voters by expensive advertising used to seduce our vote and win elections.
Because we allow these legalized bribes called "campaign donations,” we have created a system of choosing our representatives that is destructive of good government in several ways.
First, campaign money comes with strings attached that creates a conflict of interest. . A donor giving money expects to get something in return for the investment. The congressman who is the recipient of campaign donations receives money with a sense of gratitude and obligation. This creates conflict of interest that undermines the legitimacy of our representation.
Second, constant concern with fundraising causes our congressmen to be distracted from their duty. Their time, energy, and attention is not on the people's business. This too undermines the legitimacy of our representation.
Third, if an issue is good for fundraising, lawmakers may not want to solve that issue. The best fundraising strategy for congressmen is to keep that issue around and to exploit that issue for as much future fundraising as possible while appearing to be "working" on the issue. This further undermines the legitimacy of our representation.
We need representatives who do not take the money. Donors and lobbyists have a constitutional right to give money to congressmen and our congressmen are allowed to take that money and spend it on advertising. But we do not have to vote for congressmen that take the money. In most conventional congressional elections we would not have much choice. Both candidates usually accept and spend large sums of money. We do not need professional candidates, we need representatives who do not take the money.
Two years ago, I ran for congress. We demonstrated very successfully that an ethical and dignified campaign can be conducted without accepting money and without spending money. If elected, I will represent the people of the 3rd District with no conflict of interest. I will serve diligently with no fundraising distractions. Rather than exploit issues for fundraising , we will solve and resolve important issues facing the 3rd District and our entire beloved country.
Electing a congressman in this way will have a major impact in Washington. We show that campaign money is not essential. The value and thus the influence of campaign donations will immediately drop. Others will see what we have accomplished in South Louisiana and will resolve to do the same in their own districts. We could have a Congress made up of dedicated citizens who go to Washington to serve their district and their country instead of engaging in endless campaign fundraising. Then we will have better Government and a Congress that writes better laws, a Congress that observes its constitutional responsibilities. Don’t let our country suffer from the corrupting vice of campaign money! Vote for the guy that doesn't take the money!
Bryan Barrilleaux M.D.
Candidate
US House of Representatives
Louisiana, District 3
Common Sense and Good Citizenship
I am a candidate nominated by petition for the November 8 th 2016 election for the 3rd Congressional District of Louisiana. I am a Prolife Conservative Republican on a campaign finance reform platform. I accept no campaign contributions and I spend no money on a campaign ( not my money or anyone else's ). I will serve with no conflict of interest, no fundraising distractions, and I will not exploit important issues for fundraising. Our country suffers under the burden of bad laws from a corrupt system in Washington. Bribery has been legalized and institutionalized in the form of campaign donations. Every issue is viewed by our congressmen as an "opportunity" for campaign fundraising. Our lawmakers have a very strong incentive to seek campaign donations. Whichever candidate spends the most money on ads will very likely win the election. Large sums of campaign money are spent on crafting an image that is then sold to voters by expensive advertising used to seduce our vote and win elections.
Because we allow these legalized bribes called "campaign donations,” we have created a system of choosing our representatives that is destructive of good government in several ways.
First, campaign money comes with strings attached that creates a conflict of interest. . A donor giving money expects to get something in return for the investment. The congressman who is the recipient of campaign donations receives money with a sense of gratitude and obligation. This creates conflict of interest that undermines the legitimacy of our representation.
Second, constant concern with fundraising causes our congressmen to be distracted from their duty. Their time, energy, and attention is not on the people's business. This too undermines the legitimacy of our representation.
Third, if an issue is good for fundraising, lawmakers may not want to solve that issue. The best fundraising strategy for congressmen is to keep that issue around and to exploit that issue for as much future fundraising as possible while appearing to be "working" on the issue. This further undermines the legitimacy of our representation.
We need representatives who do not take the money. Donors and lobbyists have a constitutional right to give money to congressmen and our congressmen are allowed to take that money and spend it on advertising. But we do not have to vote for congressmen that take the money. In most conventional congressional elections we would not have much choice. Both candidates usually accept and spend large sums of money. We do not need professional candidates, we need representatives who do not take the money.
Two years ago, I ran for congress. We demonstrated very successfully that an ethical and dignified campaign can be conducted without accepting money and without spending money. If elected, I will represent the people of the 3rd District with no conflict of interest. I will serve diligently with no fundraising distractions. Rather than exploit issues for fundraising , we will solve and resolve important issues facing the 3rd District and our entire beloved country.
Electing a congressman in this way will have a major impact in Washington. We show that campaign money is not essential. The value and thus the influence of campaign donations will immediately drop. Others will see what we have accomplished in South Louisiana and will resolve to do the same in their own districts. We could have a Congress made up of dedicated citizens who go to Washington to serve their district and their country instead of engaging in endless campaign fundraising. Then we will have better Government and a Congress that writes better laws, a Congress that observes its constitutional responsibilities. Don’t let our country suffer from the corrupting vice of campaign money! Vote for the guy that doesn't take the money!
Bryan Barrilleaux M.D.
Candidate
US House of Representatives
Louisiana, District 3