Editorial - Political donors should be disclosed

United States Senate Democrats are attempting to pass a bill that would disclose big money donors of political campaign advertisements.

The bill, known as the DISCLOSE Act, would require a full disclosure of any donor giving $10,000 or more to any campaign.

Supporters of the bill were unable to gain the 60 votes necessary to overcome a Republican filibuster, which has stopped its progress through the Senate.

This is exactly what is wrong with American politics today. It’s a perfect example of how the money is corrupting our political system.

"During this election, outside spending by GOP shell groups is expected to top $1 billion," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, in a floor speech. "The names of these front groups contain words like ‘freedom’ and ‘prosperity.’ But make no mistake: there is nothing free about an election purchased by a handful of billionaires for their own self-interest."

Many campaign advertisements tell only a portion of the facts and are designed to attack the other candidates instead of giving honest reasons why you should vote for the supported candidate.

If these donations were disclosed there would most likely be less negativity and more accurate information passed to the public.

Regardless of whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, you should want to know who is behind a political advertisement.

Those opposing the bill claim it protects labor unions from disclosure, which is why it lacks their support. But Democrats supporting the bill denounce that claim.

Our government is supposed to be for the people and by the people. But as it stands, it is for big money donors and by big money donors who have our elected officials in their back pockets.

It seems obvious the politicians who oppose the bill are more concerned with upsetting their donors than they are with informing the voters.

Voters should send word to their representatives and express support for the bill. The more we know about our political system and who is influencing it, the better off we will be.