[EL] "Illegal contributions" from Ami Bera's father

[Thomas J. Cares]

'I have, in fact, done the crime': Rep. Ami Bera's father admits illegal
campaign contributions
http://lat.ms/1sbbYts

I really would have thought constitutional rights to self fund would
include the right of a very close relative, like a parent, to fund a
campaign without restrictions. This feels very wrong. I don't see why such
a restriction would survive any scrutiny - a large contribution from a
parent is highly unlikely to create any conflict of interest that wouldn't
already be there by virtue of them being your parent (especially if they
are the kind of parent who would have made a large contribution, but for a
law prohibiting it - (a parent who has surely otherwise been a supportive
figure to the candidate)).

I am incredibly baffled by the contents of that LA Times story.

Also, I think it's kind of great if a candidate is so lucky to have a
parent to fund them (I was a candidate once, but don't have parents with
those kinds of resources). Much better for society to have candidates
funded by parents than candidates funded by executives whose companies have
business before Congress, albeit in smaller aggregated amounts. (Baffled).

Tom Cares


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