Bidding for Office: Who Should Pay for Elections?

Does money really equal power? Over 2.8 billion dollars were spent in the 1998 national elections. It's estimated that to be elected to the House, one must spend $675,000; to the Senate, $4 million. These astronomical statistics are just a few of the facts presented in this latest volume in the News Matters series, a set of timely programs designed to explore current headlines in the classroom. This particular installment is geared towards helping students understand the sticky problem of campaign spending. Terms such as "soft money" or "PACs" are explained, and a group of articulate teens are interviewed about their opinions and ideas regarding spending laws and reform. The accompanying materials are useful in helping viewers to draw intelligent conclusions of their own. Recommended. Aud: H, C. (E. Gieschen)