'Clean Money'

By Lynn Davidson, Letter to the Editor

While there is a lot of talk in the national media about various election reforms that could require greater scrutiny of lobbying activities and political contributions, only the system of full public financing of elections proposed by AB 583 (Clean Money) really gives politicians and voters a clear alternative to the current pay-for-play system.

With voluntary full public financing, candidates can choose whether they want to run with private or public money, and voters then get a clear choice among different kinds of candidates.

Even if the most egregious violations are addressed by lobbying reform, elected officials will always be beholden to whomever finances their election campaigns, be it the usual special interests or the people of California.

Lynn Davidson

Berkeley

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