Good argument for public financing

People who live in glass houses should not throw rocks. Fortunately, that is exactly what’s happening in Washington’s gubernatorial race. Moneyed proponents of both candidates are spending lavishly to reveal the amount of money being spent in behalf of their opposition and the alleged connections between support dollars and subsequent legislation. The Building Industry Association of Washington, a group that expects tax cuts and weakened environmental laws if Dino Rossi is elected, has spent more than $1 million for TV ads implying a connection between Gov. Gregoire’s decision forego as much as $140 million/year in tax revenue from tribal casinos and tribal donations of $650,000 to the state Democratic Party, $49,000 of which went to Gregoire’s campaign treasury. Meanwhile, Gregoire’s campaign is spending money to reveal the connection between BIAW’s money and the political agenda of Dino Rossi, which could mean millions to the BIAW.

What is clear is that the people of Washington state are not bidding in this auction of our political officials and that the cost to the general public, in special interest tax breaks and law changes, vastly exceeds the amount of money being spent on these campaigns. Until the general public, through tax dollars, offers our candidates an alternative to this corrupting process, we will continue to pay a much higher price for these privately funded election campaigns. This is why Washington Public Campaign is working to create a publicly funded path to elected office. And there is hope. Successful systems have been working in other states for years. But it takes public money to break the corrupting stranglehold of special interest private money. Real democracy isn’t free. Please go to Washington Public Campaign on the internet and see what we’ve already accomplished. Then make a donation to yourself by financially supporting WPC’s efforts.

Ken Dammand

Marysville