Who says so? Money or your vote?

Everyone wants to feel that their votes do count but sadly a great portion of this country has grown skeptical and believe their vote is overshadowed by dirty politics or corporate sponsorship through donations that require favors in return.   Others feel that "special interest" lobbying and funding controls the way our leaders are elected . They have lost their taste for getting off their butts and wasting gas to go vote.

Then along comes a special election in the state of California where the replacement Governor of California said, "Any of those kinds of real big, powerful special interests, if you take money from them, you owe them something."

Once elected, he went back on his promises and began taking millions of dollars from special interest sponsors to get some of his initiatives passed which all favored, guess who...his sponsors.  See the below link.

 California Clean Money Campaign Problems: Sacramento Bee, August 28th, 2005     http://www.caclean.org/problem/sacbee_2005-08-28.php

Most of us who believe our vote doesn't count are ready to make the case for the Popular Vote in National Elections but I say that still isn't enough.  This is supposed to be a government of the people for the people and by the people.  If this were the case, we must ask ourselves why it is that most of our elected officals serving at the federal level are wealthy.  If you follow the money, you see that they accept donations up to $21,000 from each doner.  How many of us have that kind of money to send to those we believe in?  Campaign caps should be lowered to a more reasonable amount that will disempower the corporations and special interest groups and favor the individual constituents.  Still, this is not enough.

Arizona and Maine found a more viable solution.  See these links.

http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/cleanelections.html

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec02/arizona_10-30.html

Even Marc Spitzer (R Arizona) strongly opposed their move to block the Clean Money Campaign.  The people of Arizona got the measure passed and Marc Spitzer realized that Clean Money Campaigning is the only way to go.  He cited that in past years prior to the Act passing, he spent time at country clubs and anywhere the wealthy were throwing bashes in his name to garnish donations for his campaign.  Now he is relieved to get to the grass-roots issues of his constituents rather than have to sweat it out trying to pass policy the corporate and special interest groups expected him too.  He now has joy in his political career.

This is echoed throughout other states who have Clean Money Campaigning. In California at the beginning of next year a measure titled AB 583 will be decided on.  Please write your assemblymen now. 

For more information, call (800) 566-3780 and visit www.CAclean.org

For all others, check in your area.  Several states are gearing up for Clean Money Campaignings to help the people have a fair chance at representation and having their votes count.  If there aren't any such things started and you want to start one in your state, contact the above number or web site.

Thank you so much for reading.  Empowerment=Transformation. Let us be active in such matters-together.