Local Democrats, including terminally corrupt Irvine Councilman Larry Agran, are getting behind an effort to make us pay for their political campaigns.
I don’t like this ballot measure. I understand the sentiment behind it, but I don’t want my tax dollars paying for Agran’s political campaigns. And to launch this attempt to take more of our tax money, to give to wealthy politicians, when so many Americans are out of work and hurting seems ridiculous and insulting.
Below is a press release explaining what they’re up to and publicizing an event they are holding on January 30:
MEDIA ADVISORY FOR: Saturday, January 30, 2010
CONTACT: Heidi Pickman 310-392-0211
Elected Officials Join the Orange County Community in Support of elections that money can’t buy!
Assembly Member Hector De La Torre, Fullerton City Councilmember Sharon Quirk-Silva, and Irvine Mayor Pro Tem Larry Agran join community leaders to Kick-Off the Campaign for California Fair Elections Act on June ballot
Buena Park, Irvine– On Saturday, January 30th, Assembly Member Hector De La Torre (D- South Gate), Fullerton City Councilmember Sharon Quirk-Silva, and Irvine Mayor Pro Tem Larry Agran will join community leaders in two campaign kick-off events for the California Fair Elections Act which will be on the June 2010 ballot.
At both events, Fair Elections Campaign Chairman Trent Lange will give participants an overview of the California Fair Elections Act and the Orange County–area officials will voice their support for the ballot initiative that will change the way elections are financed so elected officials can focus their time on governing, not raising money for their next election. Leaders will also engage community members in building local support for the measure.
All are welcome at the events, which will highlight the majority support the Act enjoys throughout the State from registered Republicans, Democrats and Independent voters. The Campaign Kick-Off is open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
What: North Orange County Campaign Kick-Off for California Fair Elections Act Ballot Measure
Where: Walter D. Elhers Community Recreation Center, Veterans Hall, 8150 Knott Avenue, Buena Park
When: Saturday January 30th, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
OR
What: Irvine Campaign Kick-Off for California Fair Elections Act Ballot Measure
Where: Irvine United Congregational Church, Plummer Hall, 4915 Alton Parkway, Irvine
When: Saturday January 30th, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Why: Californians are outraged by the amount of money in politics and registered California voters agree by nearly a two-thirds majority that our elected officials need to spend time legislating, not fundraising to become re-elected.
The California Fair Elections Act changes the way we finance election campaigns so politicians stay focused on the job we sent them to accomplish. From schools, to water, to health care, California has many serious problems to fix. The California Fair Elections Act will enable elected officials to stay focused on our priorities, rather than spending all their time fundraising.
Written by Sen. Loni Hancock (D – Oakland) and signed by Governor Schwarzenegger, the California Fair Elections Act would create a voluntary pilot program for Secretary of State campaigns in 2014 and 2018.
# # #
www.YesFairElections.org
Written by Sen. Loni Hancock (D – Oakland) and signed by Governor Schwarzenegger, the California Fair Elections Act would create a voluntary pilot program for Secretary of State campaigns in 2014 and 2018.
Where does this give Agran any money?
Under the proposal all candidates would recieve equal public funds running for Secertary of State in 2014 and 2018.
I would support this being appied to all candidates for all offices, including all ballot qualified parties and independants. I may not vote for the person or have donated to them, but it would help to reduce the impact of large donors and special interests.
Jim, rather it is a foot in the door for future expansion of the program. And while you may be fine with your tax dollars being spent for political campaigns, it is not right to compel others to do the same as you. Public financing is not the answer!!
Since as of the recent court ruling there is no controls on what a wealthy person company or union can spend on political advetising, what would be your answer to assure that the people we elect are responsible to the voters rather than a wealthy person company or union?
Or do you think that it is fine that big money interests on both the right and left control the government at all levels and the interests on the everyday people are just to be set aside and ignored?
I would not be likey to contribute to a republican, I assume you would not be likley to contribute to someone not in your party or who disagrees with you.
But I would rather have them in a position where I felt that because they were not soley supported by wealthy person, company or union,that they might just have a chance they would listen to and really respond to my conserns.
It’s true that we’re thinking of this “pilot program” for funding the Secretary of State race as “a foot in the door” for future campaign finance reform (after the failure of the over-ambitious fair elections initiative back in I think ’08.) But even if it doesn’t lead to more reform it will be worthwhile in its own right.
I don’t see mentioned in the press release that the funding would all come from fees from professional lobbyists.
We need a lot of constitutionally-defensible reforms like this as quickly as possible before the floodgates of corporate and union money let loose by the Citizens United decision really hits us.