The impact of election 2010 goes far deeper than which party controls the House or the Senate. The incivility and tone of the 2010 campaign reached a disturbingly new low in American politics. Not only was this evident in the advertising, but we also saw it in candidate debates and forums and in the public discourse. Voters were overwhelmed by millions of dollars in negative ads but didn't know who paid for many of them.

This election demonstrated the critical need to improve our governmental structures. Because of the failure of Congress to act, there are no disclosure requirements governing the huge amounts of money that the Supreme Court recently turned loose in American politics. Voters don't know if their elected officials are in Washington to serve the public interest or the special interests.

Congress must pass the DISCLOSE Act: , which would restore transparency to U.S. elections by requiring disclosure of corporate and union spending in candidate elections.

Voters, not money, should be at the center of our democracy. The challenges we face together in our towns and in our nation, will require our continued vigilance. As a leader of the League of Women Voters of Kootenai County, I work year-round to safeguard democracy and improve civility at all levels of government. As the League's work continues, I invite others in the community to commit to civic improvement by joining the league. Together we can keep our community strong, healthy and vibrant.

JUDY EDWARDS

League of Women Voters of Kootenai County