CA Secretary of State - Vote96 - Argument in Favor of Proposition 208

| Analysis | This - 208 | Rebuttal to Argument in Favor |

Argument in Favor of Proposition 208

Arguments on this page are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency.

Had enough of SPECIAL INTERESTS and their high-priced LOBBYISTS BUYING POLITICAL INFLUENCE with CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS?

California is one of the few states in the country with ABSOLUTELY NO LIMITS on what special interests can contribute to political candidates in regular state elections!

During the last election season, candidates for state office received a staggering $196 million in campaign contributions! The top ten special interest contributors alone gave $9 million.

One candidate for the Legislature received $125,000 from a tobacco company one week before the election. He won by a mere 597 votes. Big money made the difference. WHEN BIG-MONEYED SPECIAL INTERESTS WIN, THE PEOPLE LOSE:

as consumers, we pay more for goods and services;
our public health and safety are sacrificed;
we end up paying for the special interest tax loopholes campaign contributions buy.

Enough is enough. It's time to end the domination of the political process by big money.

IT'S TIME TO TAKE BACK OUR GOVERNMENT. That's what Proposition 208 will do.

Prop. 208 is a carefully written, comprehensive package designed to fix the political process. It is a practical, workable solution to rampant special interest influence.

Prop. 208 reforms apply to all levels of government, from City Hall to the Governor's office. Here's what it does:

STOPS lobbyists making or arranging campaign contributions,
LIMITS campaign contributions,
SLASHES campaign spending,
BANS non-election year fundraising,
BANS campaign cash transfers between politicians,
REQUIRES full disclosure of those who pay for initiative ads,
INCREASES penalties for violating campaign laws.

PROPOSITION 208 WILL GIVE CALIFORNIA THE TOUGHEST CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAW IN THE NATION!

We need reform NOW!

That's exactly what Prop. 208 will deliver. It was carefully written to meet the Constitutional test so that the courts will enforce it when it passes.

Your YES vote on Prop. 208 will help CLEAN UP POLITICS and insure that our elected officials serve the public's interest rather than the special interests.

Prop. 208 is sponsored by:

League of Women Voters of California
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)--California
Common Cause
United We Stand America

These citizen groups put Prop. 208 on the ballot and urge you to vote YES.

Prop. 208 will make politicians accountable to the people rather than to big campaign contributors.

That's why it's supported by groups across the political spectrum, forming the broadest coalition ever assembled to clean up government. Endorsers include:

American Lung Association of California
Congress of California Seniors
Consumers for Auto Reliability & Safety
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Planning & Conservation League
National Council of Jewish Women
Seniors for Action
United Anglers

PROPOSITION 208 IS THE ONLY GENUINE CAMPAIGN REFORM MEASURE ON THE BALLOT.

Please join with the League of Women Voters, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)--California, Common Cause, United We Stand America, and all of us who want real political reform.

LET'S MAKE THE POLITICIANS RESPONSIVE TO US, NOT BIG CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTORS.

Please Vote Yes on Proposition 208.

: TONY MILLER
Executive Director, Californians for Political Reform,
A Committee Sponsored by League of Women Voters
of California, American Association of Retired
Persons--California (AARP), Common Cause and
United We Stand America

FRAN PACKARD
President, League of Women Voters of California
JEAN CARPENTER
Co-Chair, Political Reform Task Force of the American
Association of Retired Persons--California (AARP)

| Analysis | This - 208 | Rebuttal to Argument in Favor |