Certainly the Journal is disappointed Virginia Foxx was re-elected yesterday. That said, you’d think the fact that Democrats now control the House and may yet take over the Senate indicates that the system works.

But noooooo…..

There is a better way, and both North Carolina legislators and members of Congress will get a chance to address it next year. Campaigns don’t have to be this expensive. They don’t have to be this negative. And they certainly can be run on the issues that directly concern voters.

Publicly financed campaigns are the answer. They can lead to more candidates, more competitive races and to campaigns focusing on the concerns of individual voters, not special interests….

Here’s how it works: Candidates who want public financing must first enlist the support of a large number of individuals who contribute something on the order of $5 each. They then qualify for public funds roughly equal to the average campaign treasury for their district and office and accept limits on their spending. If their opponents refuse public financing, then the candidate with public financing has access to extra emergency funds to help counter unlimited spending from the opposition.

Spread the wealth. The theme for the next two years, at least.