Jim Wahlbrink: Parties also control legislators

Ned Barnett’s March 13 column “In today’s politics, voters don’t rule” was on track as to what is happening on the political front. One major thing was omitted, and that is the power the Republican and Democratic parties have over their members of Congress.

The political parties can receive unlimited funds from donors. Without the parties’ funding of candidates, many could not raise enough money on their own to run for office. Both parties run ads against their candidates’ opponents, as well as fund their campaigns. They have a much larger hold over their members of Congress than any Super PAC, independent expenditure PAC or large donor.

If the politician does not toe the party line, donors will find someone else to run against them and fund that person. Renee Ellmers got the wrath of the Republican Party because she did not toe the tea party line. So the party found someone to run against her.

I agree the Super PACs are not good for our political system, but they are the only way business can counteract the power of the political parties. The whole system on how we fund our elections needs to change.

This story was originally published April 2, 2016 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Jim Wahlbrink: Parties also control legislators."