Whats not working in America:Elections

This is a continuing post of articles designed to look at what's not working in America.

With Congressional Elections fast approaching what can be done about the election process?

Part Deux of the questions I raised last week about Voting... Last week I asked you if there should be a test to vote. Many of you offered opinions about that. Since voting was being looked at and so many of you seemed to be involved in this election closely I though perhaps we need to also look at the election process.

Here are some of my recommendations for the future election process. Elections are constant, if US Citizens want to affect the near future we need to look closely at the election process... in other words now that we have your attention let's get theirs. In 2010 we are faced with Congressional Elections. While the POTUS holds the final say the direction of legislature comes from Capitol Hill. Are you ready? Will you know what to do? Who to choose?

I think we really need to improve the election process. I also think that doing so we will have better choices and better knowledge. I find it inspiring that so many of you had good ideas. Here are mine.

Campaign Reform:
-Budget Limitations on Campaign Dollars spent. Why? You can't buy the Presidency. When faced with challenges like US is faced with today, I'd like to see the candidates stay within a budget.

-$2 per Federal Tax Return Mandatory Campaign Fund at the Federal Level (for this I'd be willing to pay $5)
-$2 per State Return Mandatory

138,893,908 individual income tax returns were filed in the United States and at $2 each for 4 years would be about 1.1 billion dollars. The money should be divided equally between candidates.

--Each Candidate must submit a budget plan for the election project identifying how they would be using the money. --Each Candidate can raise exactly equal the amount of the US provided campaign fund, no more.

The Campaigns should include the same formats:
-Candidates must declare who is on the Team before we vote.
-Candidates must declare their Top 3 Priorities if elected.
-They must declare what 3 Actions they will take to address the priorities
-They must provide a Timeline to Accomplish the 9 required tasks
-Review at the end of the Timeline for Rating System so we know what goals have been met.

-There should be 3 debates each Candidate must participate
1 at the Primary

2 more after the Primary

Media must present the debates with no commentary. All other media programs should be shut down during the debates; this makes it pretty hard to ignore the election until the vote. The government needs to hold the media responsible for fair reporting. Advertisements for Candidates should be limited to 15 minute infomercials. Each Candidate must be given equal air time. Air time cannot be purchased by candidates. We can make this a weekly show; we can even call it "The Reality, Reality Show."

Voting is Mandatory for every citizen over 18 who is physically able to vote. A doctor's note will excuse an individual from voting, if illness prevents it. Failure to Vote results in a $100 fine (This should be placed in the election fund and used to enhance the Voting Process).

Voting must be converted to 3 methods, mailed ballots for those house bound, Online Voting and ballot voting. Voting should be completed in 2 weeks. How the heck is it I can pay any tax I need to online, but I can't place my vote online. Instead in an era of technology we have humans counting dots on paper.

Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?