Many people are concerned about the poor performance of our elected representative. Many point to how campaigns for public office are currently financed as major contributing factor to poor government. These well meaning people support public financing of political campaigns as a solution.

This option brings about increased cost, unqualified candidates (get on the money train) and other various fraud schemes. Additionally the Supreme Court's concern is that any new rules can not limit speech.

The following four simple steps will limit cost and meet the Court's objection. Please support this for a California initiative.

1. No individual may contribute funding and/or services to a political/election campaign of another individual for public office unless he/she is eligible to vote for that individual candidate.

2. Political parties, companies, labor unions, political action committees and groups of individuals cannot vote, and therefore they cannot contribute to the election campaign of an individual for public office.

3. No individual can contribute to election campaign(s) in any one year, an amount exceeding his/her reported federal income tax adjusted gross income for the previous tax year. This includes candidates themselves. Contributions to political campaigns are not tax-deductible.

4. Political parties, companies, labor unions, political action committees and groups of individuals may provide any amount of financial or other support, to educate and inform their employees, membership and the general public on any issue in public discussion. All communications must identify the sponsor. In addition, no mention will be made of any public office holder(s), and /or candidate(s) position(s) on or related to any issue(s) under public discussion.

John Daniels lives in Lakeport.