Ways to Fix "Insane" Election Spending

February 27, 2007

Dear Editor,

I believe that the amount of money spent on elections generally has become totally insane and that laws can and should govern this amount down to a much more sensible level. Especially since this kind of money could be used for a more beneficial purpose in the community.

A. I suggest that each candidate running in an election in Santa Monica be limited to spending up to a specific amount of money and no higher for his or her campaign. This would give good, capable citizens who would normally be muscled out of elections by heavily moneyed opposition, a fair chance in elections. Santa Monica would only benefit greatly from this. (I would love to see this happen in all California elections, in all elections across the USA -- especially in USA Presidential elections.)

B. That all opponents of candidates and/or issues similarly be limited to a
COMBINED and TOTAL amount that can be spent for in a campaign
against each candidate and/or issue. I believe this would cause people
to choose their campaigns in far more effective ways.

C. That a governing system for monitoring the above expenditures be set up to make all candidates and opposition parties accountable for
expenditures.

D. That a better faster means than law courts be set up to process, expose and press consequences on people who publicly tell untruths for or against candidates and/or issues in elections. Officially sanctioned public exposure of untruths? Fines? Barred from running for public office for a number of years? I believe this would cause people to word their distaste for people and issues in far better (less offensive) ways.

Thank you for hearing my suggestions,

Julia Moosbrugger

Citizen of Santa Monica for years.