Take Money Out of Politics
Your article about the influence of big money in Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration (Page 1A, April 5) strikes the heart of all our problems with California state government.
The sad truth is that all special interest legislation, regulations and appointments that are doled out in return for big contributions come at a huge cost to the treasury and to public trust in government.
The only way to fix the problem is to do what has been so successful in Maine and Arizona: Finance campaigns with public funding, otherwise known as clean money. The cost, about $5 per resident per year, would be the best investment we could ever make.
Joe Ely
Pleasanton
See the article on San Jose Mercury News website
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