"I learned recently that the Voter-Owned
Iowa Clean Elections law has gone to an Iowa House Appropriations
subcommittee with instructions from House Democratic leadership
(Speaker Pat Murphy and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy) to "kill"
the bill. This way, the bill will not come to the House floor for
a vote by all elected representatives...[This measure] needs to
be brought to the floor for a vote by the full House and Senate."
"Clean elections level the playing
field by giving well-qualified people a chance to run for office
regardless of wealth or political connections. Grassroots candidates
have a viable chance against seasoned incumbents and prolific fundraisers.
"Where clean elections have been implemented,
more people from diverse backgrounds are running - and winning.
In the 2006 elections, more than 200 clean-election candidates in
three states - Arizona, Maine and North Carolina - were elected
to serve in legislative, judicial and statewide offices.
Letters to the editor are the most read
section of any newspaper. They are a great and affordable way to
get the message out about Voter-Owned Elections. If you want help
drafting a letter, contact Adam at adam@iowacci.org or call 515/255-0800.
Here are some talking points to help
get your letter started:
* Voter-Owned Elections provides qualifying
candidates - who agree to limit their spending and reject contributions
from private sources - with a set amount of public funds to run
for office.
* Voter-Owned Elections is not an attempt
to patch up the current system. It is instead designed as an alternative
way for candidates to finance their campaigns. It aims to end politicians'
reliance on special interest money by offering in its place a limited
but competitive amount of money from the fund.
* Iowa needs Voter-Owned Elections to help
restore the principle of “one person, one vote” to elections,
reduce the influence of special interest money on candidates, and
restore public confidence in government and elections.
* Voter-Owned Elections is constitutional
as long as the system is voluntary. Candidates do not have to choose
Voter-Owned Elections. They can reject public funds and continue
to finance their campaigns the “old fashioned” way,
by raising private money.
* Poll after poll shows overwhelming support
for Voter-Owned Elections! A poll conducted by The Mellman Group,
Inc. of likely Iowa caucus participants in September of 1999 found
that 72% of Democrats and 63% of Republicans favor a voluntary Voter-Owned
Elections Law based on the successful initiates in Arizona and Maine.
Where to send your letter:
* Des Moines Register, 715 Locust
Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309 or Email to: letters@dmreg.com
* Fort Dodge Messenger, 713 Central P.O. Box 659, Fort Dodge, IA
50501
* Cedar Rapids Gazette, 500 3rd Avenue SE PO Box 511, Cedar Rapids,
IA 52401
* The Daily Nonpareil, 535 West Broadway, Suite 300, Council Bluffs,
IA 51503
* Telegraph Herald, PO Box 688, Dubuque, IA 52004-0688
* The Herald Register, 813 5th Avenue PO Box 360, Grinnell, IA 50112
* Times-Republican, PO Box 1300, Marshalltown, IA 50158-1300
* Sioux Center News, PO Box 238, Sioux City, IA 51101
* Waterloo Courier, PO Box 540, Waterloo, IA 50704-0540
