Regarding the Jan. 18 editorial “A less-than-super fix,” on Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s statement that candidates should be allowed to collect unlimited donations:

Mr. Romney is right on this issue. The 1974 campaign finance legislation was a cure that was worse than the disease. The support of campaigns by identified and diverse millionaires (the Pews, the Mellons, Marshall Field, Stewart Mott) was preferable to that by $2,000 contributions solicited in incessant phone calls by legislators or “bundled” by operatives and financiers.

The old system allowed anyone commanding the confidence of one or two wealthy contributors to effectively compete (such as Eugene McCarthy in 1968); the new one limits candidacies to people already well-known and to self-financed megalomaniacs.

The Citizens United v. FEC case mitigated some of these consequences, but the contributions it allows foster hypocrisy, anonymity and irresponsibility, The Post’s suggestions for reform, including “tighter rules on coordination” between candidates and super PACs, are unlikely to be enacted and are not preferable to the system prevailing before 1974.

George W. Liebmann, Baltimore

• + SHARE THIS DEBATE

The Post Most: OpinionsMost-viewed stories, videos and galleries int he past two hours

• Most Popular
  1. Can Romney the turnaround artist do it again?
  2. Newt Gingrich, the man who knows too much
  3. Five myths about Barack Obama
  4. Deciding the president by popular vote is a flawed idea
  5. Why this election is a choice, not a referendum

   

• Top Videos
  1. The Florida GOP debate in under 60 seconds (0:59)
  2. Doctor: Casey Anthony got pregnant after passing out (1:08)
  3. Stephen Colbert: New attack ad targeting Romney
  4. Orca vs. sharks off coast of New Zealand
  5. Sen. Kerry sporting two black eyes (0:24)

   

• Top Galleries
  1. The age of Michelle Obama
  2. Images from space
  3. State of the Union guests
  4. A portrait of black women
  5. Eye on entertainment

   

Today’s Opinions Poll

Join a Discussion

• Earlier Today

  • 11:30 AM	The 2012 Oscar nominations: Who was snubbed and who was surprised
    12:00 PM	Has Michelle Obama changed the image of black women in America?

Weekly schedule, past shows

Voice Your Opinions

Send a letter to the editor

Have a response to a piece in The Post?

 

Submit an op-ed

Make an argument about a topic in the news.

 

Contact the ombudsman

Have questions about Post content or practices?

 

Connect with PostOpinions

 

Facebook: Become a fan of Washington Post Opinions

PostOpinions E-Newsletters

Sign-up for e-mail newsletters and alerts and get the news you need delivered directly to your inbox.

See all Washington Post Newsletters