Whether you are Democrat or Republican, Independent or other, it is hard to be against clean elections. Private contributions have embedded themselves so deeply into our politics that they have, in the opinions of many, perverted our wonderful system. What can be done about it? You ask. Well, the most obvious solution is taking the money right back out. That is what Arizona and Maine have done and that is what many other states, including California are hoping to do as well.

Democracy is defined as, a government for the people and by the people. Each of our representatives and senators are voted into office by the voters in their respective districts and are expected to be responsive to their needs and their needs only. It is not the responsibility of a representative from Utah to bring up issues and fight for a cause only important to Californians, for example, especially if that cause were to cause unwanted repercussions in Utah. Would it be wrong then for someone running for California Governor to take campaign contributions from the state of Utah, or let’s say Nevada, a state with which California has constant quarrels over water rights with? Would that present a conflict of interest?

Instead of responsive officials who fight for the rights and needs of their constituents, we have a government that is made up of officials who fight for the rights and needs of their donors. The people who helped them get elected, which makes perfect sense.

If I was struggling to pay for my college education, and someone came in and offered to pay for everything, how can I not go work for him upon graduation if requested? If someone gave me the money to buy a car, how can I not give them a ride if needed, or even lend them the keys if they ask? This isn’t about bribery; it is about a system of quid pro quo, that is, something for something; I scratch your back, you scratch mine. This is human nature and it is not about to change anytime soon.

Instead of trying to change the system, which is based on habits embedded deep in our human nature, why not simply change the donors? If elected officials will only respond to their donors, than let’s make their constituents the donors. That is what the California Clean Money Campaign is working to do and that is what Arizona and Maine have already done. “Both states now have Clean Money Clean Elections systems in which qualified candidates may run for office using public financing. That gives all candidates a fighting chance to win. It also gives citizens a chance to vote for candidates who don't owe their campaign funds to big private interests.” (1)

There have also been some immediate and noticeable results in the elections in these two states as well, for example,

~ More than 60 percent more candidates ran for statewide office than in 1998 in Arizona, the election without Clean Money and the number of minority candidates tripled.
~ 80% of Maine's legislature was elected “clean” in 2004.
~ Maine became the first state in the nation to pass a form of universal health care.
~ Voter turnout at the polls increased by more than 20 percent.
~ Arizona elected “clean” candidates to ten of eleven statewide offices -- including Janet Napolitano, the first publicly financed governor ever elected.

The best thing about what Arizona and Maine have accomplished is that they have shown the rest of the country that it is possible and they have provided a framework for how to do so. Here is a great video, example, called “The Road to Clean Elections” with Bill Moyer that highlights what was accomplished in these two states.

Here in California, the California Clean Money Campaign is working vigorously to establish this more logical system. On the Get Involved section of their web site, they also provide a few simple steps you can take to help bring clean elections to California,

1) Sign their petition
2) Write letters to your Representatives
3) Stay informed on new action items made available on their web site
4) Tell a friend about Clean Money and your support for it
5) Become a Clean Money Campaign member by contributing to the cause
6) Volunteer to help spread the word
7) Watch for and join in the next event in your area
8) Help disseminate materials from their web site such as flyers and bumper stickers

Whether you can do all of these or not, remember, that in today’s world of democracy and freedom, people get the government they deserve. At the very least, learn the basics, sign their petition, and let your Representatives know that you think.

If you are in the Los Angeles area, consider joining Los Angeles City Councilmembers Wendy Greuel, Eri Garcetti and Bill Rosendahl, at the Town Hall meeting on Clean Money Tuesday, May 9, 2006 at Colfax Elementary School at 6:30 p.m. More information about this and other events throughout the state can be found here.

Hopefully, with your help, we can turn our governments into the type of political systems they should be, for the people, by the people.

(1) California Clean Money Campaign, Learn the Basics: http://www.caclean.org/faq/basics.php