Are you tired of politicians who talk so much but do so little about improving schools, cleaning up the environment, and making our streets safe?
Too many politicians say one thing, then do something else. Why? Because they serve the special interests and people who give them big campaign contributions, not the voters back home in their district.
PROPOSITION 212 WILL BREAK SPECIAL INTEREST CONTROL
Prop. 212 is the only initiative on the ballot that effectively breaks the special interest stranglehold on government. Another well-intentioned measure, Prop. 208, doesn't take the tough steps necessary to get the job done.
PROPOSITION 212 MAKES POLITICIANS ACCOUNTABLE TO ALL VOTERS, NOT SPECIAL INTERESTS
Prop. 212 requires politicians to raise at least 75% of their campaign funds inside their district. Prop. 208 has no such limit, allowing up to 100% of money from outsiders.
Prop. 212 bans money from corporations and unions. Prop. 208 allows tobacco companies, insurance companies, and other corporations to each contribute a total of $25,000 to state candidates, and unlimited total contributions to local candidates.
Prop. 212 bans corporate tax deductions for lobbying, saving taxpayers money. Prop. 208 allows corporations to keep this special tax break.
PROPOSITION 212 IMPOSES TOUGH LIMITS ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND SPENDING
Prop. 212 prohibits politicians from taking contributions over $100 from wealthy individuals ($200 for the Governor's race and other statewide elections). Prop. 208 allows five times more: $1,000 for statewide candidates, $500 for legislators.
Prop. 212 encourages average Californians who contribute $25 or less to band together, allowing them to make larger joint contributions to candidates and thereby compete with the powerful special interests. Prop. 208 discourages this, leaving politicians to raise funds from donors who can write $500 or $1,000 checks.
Prop. 212 sets tough, low, mandatory limits on campaign spending to stop rich candidates trying to buy their way into public office. Prop. 208 only offers much higher, voluntary limits.
PROPOSITION 212 IS TOUGH. PROPOSITION 208 IS A HALFWAY MEASURE
California's state legislators raise an average of 8 out of 10 campaign dollars from outside the districts they represent. Why let this continue?
Why give corporations tax breaks for lobbying for their special interests?
Why continue allowing 97% of the money donated to California politicians to come in amounts of more than $100 from the wealthiest 1% of individuals, corporations, and PACs?
Why expect politicians to voluntarily limit campaign spending? They'll just continue the flood of negative TV ads and junk mail.
Only Prop. 212 puts a stop to all this. It's a no-nonsense initiative written by citizens fed up with business as usual. 208 is a well-intentioned halfway measure that won't work.
VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 212
Only Prop. 212 strictly limits out-of-district contributions. It bans corporate and union contributions. It bans tax breaks for corporate lobbying. It sets $100 contribution limits and low, mandatory spending limits.
Send a tough message to the politicians and special interests. Return our state government to its rightful owners--the citizens of California.
DON VIAL
Former Commissioner, California Fair Political
Practices Commission
ROBERT BENSON
Professor of Law, Loyola Law School