1. How Corrupt Is DC Money? MS. XIQUES, FALL 2015

2. Should Your Vote Count? Lowering the Voting Age Assignment: Do you believe the voting age should be lowered? Provide evidence to support your argument.

3. Where Does the Money Come From? 2012 Election 1. Are there any biases in this article? 2. What does all of it mean? (What is the significance?) 3. Do you believe that campaign finance spending should be regulated? Why? Provide examples.

4. How much is too much?  Individual- unlimited independent expenditure  **must disclose and make no communication or have ties with candidate  $30,800 to a National party Committee  $2,500 to a candidate/election  Political Parties  $10,000 of soft money per source on voter registration, etc.  Individual Campaign Contributions  $2,000  PAC’s  $5,000/campaign  $15,000/year to national party  Individuals can give no more than $5,000/yr to a PAC

5. Where are the loopholes?  Super PAC’s  No ceiling!  HOWEVER, they cannot coordinate with the candidate or campaign  Only TV or radio ads supporting or excoriating a particular candidate  Citizens United v. FEC (2010)  Campaign finance regulation= violation of the 1 st Amendment right to free speech  Citizens United challenged McCain-Feingold Act -- which prohibited corporations and unions from funding TV ads advocating for the victory or defeat of a candidate within 30 days of a primary or 60 days of a general election

7. Does It Matter? 1. Make a pros and cons list for campaign finance reform. 2. Short Answer:  Should there be a ceiling for corporations? Are Super PAC’s a voice for “big oil” that drown out the average American or does campaign finance regulation stifle the 1 st Amendment? Does money talk and if so, what should the government’s role be?