The main business of Congress today is income redistribution. Social Security takes from the young and gives to the old. The Export-Import Bank takes from workers and gives to corporations. Obscure environmental regulations and tax changes advantage particular firms and industries. And they have a perfect right to do so.
Public financing denies citizens the basic right of political participation.
It also forces taxpayers to underwrite candidates whom they despise. Any attempt to manipulate the election rules merely aids other participants. The right reform is to drop all rules except full disclosure. Then let citizens take a candidate's fundraising practices into account when they vote. Most important, reformers should work to shrink government.