Do not make the mistake of thinking that because my conclusion is the same as another person's that my reasoning is the same
Schwarzenegger Woos the Special Interests
November 7, 2003
When I read "1st Benefit Is Set for New Gov." (Nov. 4) I was appalled by the spin and outright lies put forward by Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger and his spokesman, Rob Stutzman. First the candidate lied by stating he would take no special-interest money, then he did exactly that. Now Stutzman tells us that "voters know they have sent a man to Sacramento who cannot be bought" while that man is busy selling access for dollars to repay the $4.5 million in low-interest loans he used to bombard us with television advertising.
If the independently wealthy, well-funded and famous Schwarzenegger has to borrow millions to run for governor, what chance does an ordinary, idealistic candidate have? Some call it fund-raising, but I call it bribery on layaway. We need public financing of elections, as in Maine and Arizona, which has increased voter participation and candidate diversity in state elections. Clean-money candidates don't owe anyone except voters and the thousands of people who gave $5 to get their candidate qualified for public financing. Do you think Schwarzenegger feels he owes favors to those who give him $21,200 a pop? You bet!
Nick Gleiter
Sherman Oaks
Posted by P6 at November 7, 2003 04:20 AM | Trackback URL: http://www.prometheus6.org/mt/mt-tb.cgi/2215