Original intent is not only shown by what was put into the constitution by the “Founding Fathers”—and why, but by what was not, and why!

 One of the proposals that was discussed, but not adopted at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia was that elected officials should serve without pay. The reasoning for rejecting this was that if adopted it would favor wealth, for only people of independent means would be able to serve under such conditions.

 Hitherto the Supreme Court has ruled that personal funds may be expended without limit under the free-speech clause in the First Amendment. And so Mayor Bloomberg bought his reelection for $100 million. This is in direct conflict with the reason for not specifying non-remunerated service. Obviously this is an extreme case, focusing a brilliant light on the contradiction.

 Congress should enact a campaign finance law putting a uniform cap on campaign contributions by all individuals--including candidates. Under the “equal protection” rule this should be made to apply to states as well or else the states will have to be encouraged to enact their own campaign finance laws in the same spirit.