Political Contributions by Employees, Union Members, Foreign Entities. Initiative Statute.
	Argument in Favor of Proposition 226

Proposition 226 is very simple and clear. It will reform California's elections two ways:

• It stops unions and employers from taking money from members or employees paychecks for political purposes without their prior consent.
• It will prohibit contributions to state and local candidates from foreign nationals and foreign corporations.

RANK AND FILE RIGHTS: BOSSES SHOULD NOT
SPEND WORKERS' MONEY WITHOUT CONSENT

IT IS MORALLY WRONG--DEAD WRONG--TO TAKE MONEY FROM YOUR PAYCHECK, WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT, AND SPEND IT TO SUPPORT A POLITICAL CANDIDATE OR ISSUE THAT YOU OPPOSE.

Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the Declaration of Independence, said, "To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves, is sinful and tyrannical."

The United States Supreme Court agrees and has ruled that it is illegal and unconstitutional to do so. But since Washington refuses to implement the court's Beck decision, California must act to end this outrageous violation of fundamental fairness and the rights of California union members.

UNLESS PROPOSITION 226 PASSES, UNION BOSSES--NOT INDIVIDUAL UNION MEMBERS--WILL DECIDE HOW THE MEMBER'S MONEY IS SPENT ON POLITICS. IT'S LIKE LETTING UNION BOSSES GO INTO THE VOTING BOOTH TO MARK THE MEMBER'S BALLOT.

For years, union members have been exploited by union leaders who took their money and spent it for political causes they opposed.

FOR EXAMPLE, UNION MEMBERS SUPPORTED AND VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED THE "THREE STRIKES AND YOU'RE OUT" INITIATIVE FOR HABITUAL CRIMINALS. YET UNION LEADERS SPENT MEMBERS' MONEY TO OPPOSE THREE STRIKES.

No wonder polls show that union members--by a large majority--support Proposition 226. For some union members who don't want to make political contributions, Proposition 226 will save them about $200 a year.

BANNING FOREIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

PROPOSITION 226 WILL ALSO BAN ALL FOREIGN POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO CANDIDATES AND PARTIES.

It will prevent foreign money from buying political influence, ending both the fact and appearance of its corrupting elected officials.

The special interests that oppose Proposition 226 will say and do anything to defeat it. They know it will end their ability to direct tens of millions of dollars to campaigns and candidates that their members do not support.

IT'S BITTER IRONY THAT THE CAMPAIGN TO DEFEAT PROPOSITION 226 WILL BE PAID FOR WITH WAGES OF UNION MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES WHO, BY AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY, STRONGLY SUPPORT IT.

Union bosses attempt to justify extracting these involuntary contributions, claiming they know better than individual rank and file members what's good for them.

What arrogance!

Proposition 226 will end this unfair and unconstitutional shakedown of California union members, protecting their paychecks and their rights. It will end the influence of foreign money on political candidates.

BECAUSE YOU'RE A UNION MEMBER SHOULD NOT MEAN YOU HAVE TO GIVE UP YOUR RIGHTS AS A CITIZEN.

RANK AND FILE UNION MEMBERS DESERVE THE SAME POLITICAL FREEDOM OF CHOICE AS EVERY OTHER CALIFORNIAN. GIVE THEM A FAIR SHAKE INSTEAD OF A SHAKEDOWN.

Please vote yes on Proposition 226.

PETE WILSON
Governor, State of California
ELIZABETH LEE
Member, California Teachers' Association
ROBERT EISENBEISZ
Member, United Electrical Workers--local 99