Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Publicly financed elections would give us fair shake

I am convinced that campaign finance reform is the only thing that matters, and I am ready to give any political energy I have left to efforts for public financing of elections.

My ongoing personal efforts for meaningful health care reform are dwarfed, stomped on and almost obliterated by deep-pocketed special interests that can hover in the halls of Congress, fill campaign coffers and twist arms. How does a voter 3,000 miles away from Washington compete with the health care industry, which has six lobbyists for every member of Congress?

I am one of thousands of caring voters across the country who walked neighborhoods, made phone calls and sent small donations, but how can we possibly compete with the special health care interests that contribute millions of dollars?

In addition, anti-choice groups, particularly certain religious groups, are patting themselves on the back for the regressive abortion amendments to the House bill, congratulating themselves for campaign donations that made the difference. The separation of church and state seemed to dissolve on this one, so it might be time for the IRS to take a close look at religious tax exemptions.

Campaign finance reform will level the playing field. Maybe then elected officials will do what is best for the country.

The writer is a registered nurse.

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