You will know us by our enemies

Steven Harmon in the Contra Costa Times:

Foes unite to fight 89
Opposition to the 'clean money' campaign initiative, with strict contribution limits, has created odd bedfellows

SACRAMENTO - The odd alliance opposing Proposition 89, the "clean money" initiative, illustrates what proponents say is the problem in state politics: Big-money interests are so vested in the system that even the most extreme opposites -- like the state teacher's union and the state's biggest business advocate -- will join forces to keep the status quo.

Prop. 89 would place limits on contributions to state legislative candidates, independent expenditure committees and political parties. It would also restrict donations to ballot initiatives, though political action committees could still give unlimited amounts. [...]

But while corporations have provided the bulk of financial backing to the opposition, the merging of forces between left and right -- unions and businesses, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, and Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger -- has exposed how the measure has threatened entrenched interests, said Ned Wigglesworth, policy advocate for California Common Cause.

"Democrats and Republicans alike are hooked on campaign cash, making it possible for a handful of interests to keep both parties on a fairly short leash," Wigglesworth said. "This means the public interest often takes a back seat to the wish list of big donors, whether it's a bloated contract for the prison guards union, an expansion of Indian gaming compacts or the passage of a bill like the cable bill, done to benefit one particular company."

Look our opponents, the only thing they have in common is that they have enough money to buy what they want in Sacramento.

This is already the most expensive election ever. Just like the last one was the most expensive election ever. Unless Proposition 89 passes, the next election will again be the most expensive ever.