Proposition 89: Public financing measure an election fix or a bigger mess?

Sacramento Bee ^ | 10/16/6 | Jim Sanders

[SmithL]

For the money spent on candidates and ballot measures thus far this year, California could run its 120-member Legislature with a staff of 2,200 for an entire year -- and have more than $160 million left over.

The campaign money is private, not public, but the amount is staggering, exceeding $400 million, an average of $972 per minute, $58,333 per hour or $1.4 million per day through last Thursday, records show.

If divided equally among California neighborhoods, the massive pot already would mean an extra $31 for every household, with mountains of additional cash expected by Election Day.

Many of the state's political donations come from special interests, prompting a backlash, Proposition 89, on the Nov. 7 ballot.

The measure would provide public financing for state candidates and place new restrictions on ballot-measure campaigns.

"In politics, you get what you pay for -- and until the public pays for elections, they're not going to get an honest government," said Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.

But critics say Proposition 89 would make the election system worse by spending scarce public funds on negative TV advertisements, allocating tax dollars to fringe candidates, and reducing the information that voters receive by restricting corporate spending on ballot measures.

"I don't think anybody is saying that the current system isn't broken, or doesn't have its problems, but Proposition 89 would make an even bigger mess of the situation," said Robin Swanson, spokeswoman for the No on 89 campaign.

The initiative would tilt the playing field to give corporations less clout on ballot issues, thus benefiting the California Nurses Association -- Proposition 89's author -- and tribal governments, trial lawyers and some nonprofit groups, opponents claim.

[SmithL]

Kitty Courcier, a registered nurse from Chico, joined other Proposition 89 supporters on the steps of the Capitol earlier this month. The California Nurses Association is the author of the initiative that the union claims will give corporations less clout on state ballot issues.

[SmithL]

The entire purpose of Prop 89 is to give Unions more power, so that the California Nurses can IMPOSE their version of Universal Health Care on California without any of their opponents being able to speak against it.

[Beagle8U]

I would hope that Calif. voters aren't stupid enough to vote for this.

Who would want to pay taxes to fund barking moonbats that want to force you to pay more in taxes?

[Prime Choice]

"In politics, you get what you pay for -- and until the public pays for elections, they're not going to get an honest government," said Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.

Considering the pervasive culture of corruption among the Dhimmicrat majority in California, passing Prop 89 guarantees that the liberal stranglehold on all matters public and private will be eternal.

[Prime Choice]

I would hope that Calif. voters aren't stupid enough to vote for this.

Considering the way things have gone in this state, I think it's safe to say that your hope is in vain.

[Beagle8U]

I don't live there, but I feel for the conservative voters that do.

I would hate to think that this passes and Mr.Robinson is forced through taxes to fund moonbats pushing ballot issues that guarantee to raise his taxes even further.

Its insane to vote for this.

[GOP_1900AD]

RE: The California Nurses Association is the author of the initiative

Automatic "no" vote.

[Prime Choice]

I don't live there, but I feel for the conservative voters that do.

In sixty days, I'll be leaving the People's Republik of Kalifornia for good. And not a minute too soon, I might add.

[Amerigomag]

The 2006 general election ballot in California is a cinch for conservatives.

Conservatives Yes, liberals and taxes NO.

That leaves only 3 statewide officers to ponder and two, complex initiatives to digest.

If you are a faithful Republican, the process is a slam dunk. The CaGOP has determined all your choices for you. Just sign and direct your blank, absentee ballot to Burbank and they will forward it to the proper county registrar for tabulation.

[CyberAnt]

Tom McClintock is voting against it - and that's good enough for me.