Cuomo's reform to give politics back to voters

If you are sick of the rising cost of college, the burden of huge student loans, cuts in education and other social services, poor environmental laws, and an economy that continues to struggle, you need to pay attention to what is happening now in New York State. Governor Cuomo has called on the legislature to change Albany's business as usual by creating a political process that would be accountable to the citizens of New York—including its students—and responsive to their needs.

Cuomo is responding to the legacy of corruption and money scandals in Albany and to the anger of New Yorkers at the political dominance of big money campaign contributors. By giving ordinary citizens the resources to run for office—independent of special interest money, Cuomo believes we can break the stranglehold that big donors now have on our democracy.

The reform he seeks is the voluntary public financing of election campaigns. Why? Because with a public financing option for candidates —similar to that which has worked successfully in other states and New York City for over two decades—we can create a practical, constitutional and effective way to make elected officials listen to us.

Maybe politicians will spend time talking with their constituents and solving problems, instead of using precious hours each day to raise campaign money from wealthy contributors. Maybe highly paid corporate lobbyists will lose their clout! Maybe if you have good ideas, you can run for office even without millions in your bank account!

And the fact is—especially with Governor Cuomo's strong endorsement—that this is almost within our grasp. By adopting the optional public financing of election campaigns, we can restore the belief in both government and democracy that has been so badly eroded.

Powerful corporate donors will fight to retain their grip on the political process. That's why it is of the utmost importance that students join the call to fair elections at the state level. Students can have an important voice in deciding what kind of future we have. If you want your representatives in Albany to listen to you, join Democracy Matters in urging the legislature to pass public campaign financing reform. We want a New York state government of, by and for the people of New York, not one bought and paid for with big campaign checks.

—Tim McCormick '12 is a political science major. He is president of Democracy Matters.