On Tuesday, Californians have a rare chance to cut Big Money's influence in government by passing Proposition 15, the Fair Elections Act. It's been under the radar, but the impact is potentially huge: Changing the way we finance campaigns, making politicians responsive to voters, not Big Money contributors -- because with Prop. 15 they can win elections without ANY Big Money contributors.
Proposition 15 has national implications, because its passage would help Congress pass the Fair Elections Now Act. That bill, supported by President Obama and Nancy Pelosi, would make public financing available to candidates for Congress and the Senate who take ZERO money from big contributors.
Under our existing dysfunctional campaign finance system, winning elections -- and governing -- is all about the money.
Meg Whitman's $100 million primary campaign is just one example. Big Money campaign contributions have wrecked the economy (Wall Street meltdown), the Gulf of Mexico (BP oil disaster), and health care (on the way if you live long enough, but it'll cost an arm and a leg).
Proposition 15 is based on public campaign financing that already works in seven states. With Prop. 15, Secretary of State candidates qualify for public financing if they can get $5 contributions from 7,500 voters, and take ZERO money from large contributors. And it's tough: Candidates are subject to fines and jail time if they raise money beyond the limited public financing.
Prop. 15 pays for itself with increased registration fees on lobbyists and their clients -- not taxes.
Backers include the CA League of Women Voters, AARP, Common Cause, Sierra Club, and hundreds of other groups.
If you're tired of California's broken government, and the all-pervasive influence of Big Money lobbyists in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., Vote Yes on 15.