There’s only so much time in the day.  Roll Call this week ran an article listing campaign debts owed by some incoming members of Congress as they prepare to work with President-elect Barack Obama to address the nation’s fiscal crisis (“Races Leave Members Broke,” Dec. 8, subscription required).  The paper found that “at least a dozen politically vulnerable House Members and Members-elect are beginning the 2010 election cycle” with far more debt than cash on hand, according to a review of candidate filings to the Federal Election Commission covering the period from Oct. 16 to Nov. 24.  I guess the positive is that these officials can better identify with their debt-ridden constituents. Don't forget that the average U.S. House candidate spent $1.1 million to get elected this year, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.  What it comes down to, however, is that many members of Congress must spend their time asking for money from big donors at the same time they work to keep the country from falling into a depression.  There’s a better way and it’s called Clean Elections. Candidates using the system must get a set number of small donations to qualify for public funds, and agree to strict spending limits and to stop accepting private contributions. This reduces the big money donors from campaigns and gives candidates more time to discuss issues with their constituents.