Would it not be good for our country if we could down on the cost of political elections in America. In our state of North Carolina, in summer months, we seem to have some kind of election every few months.

We have just seen the results of a general election where all of the House of Representatives had to stand for office. This goes on every two years. It costs millions of dollars to run a successful campaign for Congress. As soon as a person is elected is elected to the House, he or she must start soliciting funds for another campaign in two years. This is why our government is the best that money can buy today.

I believe there are better ways to fund and conduct our political campaigns. First we need to consider changing the terms of office of Representatives, Senators, and the president. This would also include all States' offices. To start with, I would propose changing the Representative term to six years. Also, change the president's term to six years. A person could run for one term for office and could not succeed him or herself in office. A person could run for another office. Such as a Congressperson could run for the Senate, but could not run for the House in a back to back term. This prevents a person from making a career of the House or the Senate.

The Constitution would need to be changed to accomplish this major change in the way our politics are conducted today. We also, need to move to clean elections. This means that the public or tax funds pay for the elections. A person would be given web pages their State's website. They would also be given a specific amount of money from the election fund for their campaign. A candidate would not be permitted to collect or spend private funds.

This is one way, we, the citizen can take our country. For too long we have sat back and let the rich and powerful, big business, mega-corporations, and organized crime to sponger our elections. The citizens of America have become so lazy and unconcerned about the leadership of our country until we have become a nation that is ruled by the elite. Only about thirty three to thirty seven percent bother to vote anymore no longer governed by our government, they do what their bosses tell them to do. The press is no better, they too, do what the “special interests” tell them to write and report. That is, don't say anything bad about the “rulers” our President, Congress, and Senate are owned and controlled by their backers, the big money contributers, and lobbyists. You the American citizen are no longer represented by the person you voted into office.

If this is what you, the citizen, want to continue, then, do nothing, just like you have been doing. Otherwise, do something, such start calling on your state legislature to call for a constitutional convention. This is the only way we have of bypassing the “do nothing Congress” With a citizen called Constitutional Convention, we can change the way things are done in our country. At least three things need to be changed in the Constitution. 1. Change the terms of the House of Representatives to six years. This will need to be phased in so that no more than of the representatives are replaced at one time. 2. Elect the President by popular vote. Change the term of office to six years. One can hold the office for six years only. One can skip one term and then run again. 3. Establish a change in the constitution for the public to pay for all elections. There would one national primary election. The  winners of the primaries would then run in the national general election. Elections would then be run every six years instead of every four. This will give new candidates an opportunity to run for national office. It would also break the back of moneyed interests owning our government. Qualifying minor parties would have equal listing on all ballots as the two major political parties.

This is a starting point for citizens to take back our government and our country. If you think this is something we should do, join our group of concerned citizens and let your voice be heard.

This is an opinion,

By: Bob Fowler