1. Campaign Finance Reform
Street Law

2. Buying the Vote
Elections in the United States have been privately funded for over 200 years.
There have been many attempts at finance reform but most have failed.
Critics on both sides of the issue have claimed that it is a matter of first amendment rights.
How can this be?

3. Criticisms of Current System
People of low or middle income cannot run for office successfully because they cannot raise huge sums of money.
Special Interest groups receive favors in exchange for donations to campaigns.
Elected officials spend to much time raising money during their time in office and not enough time doing their jobs.

4. Citizens United vs. the Federal Elections Committee (2010)
This was a landmark case decided by the Supreme Court.
They decided that the First Amendment prohibited the government from restricting independent political expenditures by corporations and unions.
This lead to the creation of things called Super PACs, which can receive unlimited money as long as they are independent of the candidate’s campaign.
What do you think?

5. Mediation
Street Law

6. Negotiation Least formal method of solving disputes.
Sometimes people hire lawyers to negotiate for them.
For example, sometimes people hire attorneys to negotiate with insurance companies after an auto accident over payments for injuries and damages.

7. Arbitration
Both parties to a dispute agree to have one or more persons listen to their arguments and make a decision for them.
Most common in contracts
Must follow the arbitrator’s decision.

8. Mediation
A third person helps the disputing parties talk about their problems and settle their differences.
Unlike arbitration, the mediators cannot oppose a decision.
The key is how the disputants will work together after the dispute.
Common in divorces and consumer affairs. (BBB)

9. What method of solving dispute?
Two sisters, share a room. However, they disagree over how the room should be decorated.
A new stereo breaks after two weeks, and the salesperson refuses to fix it.
A landlord will not make needed repairs because he believes the tenant caused the damage.
A labor union and an employer disagree over the wages and conditions of employment.
A married couple wants a divorce
The IRS sends you a letter claiming that you owe another 200 dollars in taxes, you disagree.