The Case for Clean Money

By Rene' Rushin, Letter to the Editor

I completely agree with Dick Spotswood's column "How voters, candidates can fight dirty tactics" (IJ, Oct. 21).

I also would like to point out that "well-heeled" individuals also can use large campaign contributions to political candidates and incumbents to advance their "own special interest agenda." These contributions buy undue influence and political power, which many of us can't afford. This is not only unfair, it's undemocratic.

An example of such influence is the proposed Canal area pedestrian bridge. This bridge will cost tens of millions of dollars and provide little benefit to the Canal area while causing it great harm. Yet politicians who have received campaign contributions from a wealthy individual who wants it are lining up to support it.

What we need is campaign funding reform like that proposed by Clean Money. This group proposes a plan similar to one that has been enacted in Arizona and tested for many years now. While being highly successful and transforming politics and political campaigns there, it has injected fairness and true democracy in to Arizona.

The only solution to such corrupt, irrational, undue political influence is campaign reform such as Clean Money, which limits public financing to candidates who must demonstrate support from a number of registered voters, not just a single, wealthy individual.

Rene' Rushin, San Rafael

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