The McCain-Feingold bill has passed the Senate. AARP has long believed that our elected officials should focus on the issues that the voters care most about, not on chasing money from wealthy special interests and individuals.
Democracy is based on the theory that every vote counts.
But when the political parties peddle access and influence to big contributors, voters lose faith in our political system. They feel that our government is being auctioned off to the highest bidder, and that their voices don't count. Our system must ensure that legislators concern themselves with all voters, not just those who can write the biggest checks. AARP is nonpartisan and does not support, oppose, or give money to candidates or any political party. By ridding our system of soft money, the Shays-Meehan bill would put democracy back into the hands of the people, where it belongs.