Conflict of Interest

The American politician now seems to care more for re-election than governing. I’m trying to end that. My problem is I am not a constitutional scholar or writer. I’ll try to outline my thoughts.

1. An amendment to the US Constitution would be made.
2. All federally elected or appointed officials would be subject to the amendment.
3. An independent office for enforcement of this amendment would be created. We’ll call it the Dept. of Conflict of Interest. The C.O.I.
4. All individuals or organizations donating, in one calendar year, more than $25,000 to any one candidate, officer or appointee must register with the C.O.I. This amount could grow with some measure.
5. The C.O.I. would investigate each applicant to determine the applicant’s affiliation. If applicant was a labor union in the timber industry, then all their donations of $25,000 and more to one candidate, officer or appointee, would cause the candidate, officer or appointee to recuse1 themselves from voting on or making decisions having an impact on issues the C.O.I. felt applicable; labor, unions, timber, etc.
6. Individuals who are partners or shareholders or investors in a $25,000 and more to one candidate, officer or appointee, would also be studied by the C.O.I.
7. So, every donating individual or group would have affiliation baggage attached before donations could be made.
8. Every candidate, officer or appointee would be informed of this affiliation baggage before accepting donations.
9. The C.O.I. would make available every donor providing donations of $25,000 and more to one candidate, officer or appointee and to whom donations were made.
10. So, the candidate, officer or appointee could still perform their assigned tasks, but would, on occasion, recuse themselves because of conflict of interest.
11. A candidate for any office would be held to the same law.