We have them on the run

Robert Salladay of the LA Times political blog has a new post on the most expensive election ever:

And for the irony of the day, Morain snagged an insider email (see photo) from the campaign to defeat Proposition 89, which would put strict contribution limits on candidates and install public financing. Turns out, the opposition (which includes nearly the entire political establishment) hasn't raised enough money.

In this instance, "enough" money refers to the amount necessary to drown out the voices of reform and buy the election. But they are raising plenty of money, including six figure contributions from Chevron, PG&E, Mercury General, Southern California Edison, Occidental Oil and Gas, State Farm, Zenith Insurance, CA business PAC, CA Bankers PAC, and Baron Real Estate.

The letter is signed by Frank Schumbert, whose website boasts, "One of Mr. Schubert’s strengths is the ability to synthesize complicated public policy issues into understandable messages..." Schumbert's view on Proposition 89?

While the Yes side is actively moving forward and will be on the air soon, the No campaign continues to deal with difficult cash flow issues. [...]

To say that this situation is a major concern is an understatement.

Our side will be widely outspent by special interests, which is one of the reasons why we need Proposition 89. They may have big bucks, but the people they have are mercenaries while we have committed volunteers. Join our grassroots campaign, contribute $5 and help Buck the System now.

Busy Week

There is a lot going on this week so please stop by daily for updates. There are three things we hope you can do with us this week:

1. Email Campaign - One quick request for everyone is to join our email campaign. First, make sure you sign up for email alerts. Second, use our tool to email friends and family so they can join you in supporting Proposition 89.

2. Buck the System Now - Under Prop 89, candidates who build a coalition of $5 donors and refuse special interest money get Clean Money public financing, leveling the playing field so elections are about ideas not money. Give $5 now and Buck the System.

3. Phone Banks - Help communicate with voters. Every Sunday through Thursday in San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco, and Sacramento. Contact Ted Cahill, Prop 89 Field Director. Email: tcahill@calnurses.org Phone: 510 273 2248

Email Organize to Buck the System

In addition to our Action Center and our online and offline materials, we are also providing easy tools for people to use email to organize their friends to help pass Proposition 89.

In just a few minutes, you can help mobilize grassroots support by sending an email to your friends asking them to join you in supporting Proposition 89.

With your help, we can use email to efficiently organize enough people to take on the Sacramento special interests that are spending big money to stop reform.

So take five minutes and use our email tool to tell your friends about Proposition 89.

Buck the System Now

Sign up for Email Updates for news like this:

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Are you fed up with the crisis of corruption in our government?

Big oil, drug companies, insurers, developers, HMOs, and big unions are corrupting our political system by working with inscruplous lobbyists like Jack Abramoff and using their millions of dollars in campaign cash to buy influence with our legislators.

Enough is enough!

This November 7th, California has the best chance in years to stop political corruption in Sacramento and send shockwaves of reform across the country — all the way to Washington DC.

A contribution of as little as $5 today "Bucks the System" by helping pass Proposition 89, the California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act.

Our Big Money opponents are working overtime to stop Prop 89 because they know that it will create a system where elections are about ideas, not their money.

By giving $5 to pass Prop 89, you are standing with everybody who is sick and tired of corrupt politics. By standing together, we can defeat the lobbyists and special interests spending millions to defeat Prop 89.

Proposition 89 will stop corruption by enacting:

• Strict Contribution Limits that will end the fundraising madness with constitutional limits so regular voters aren't drowned out by big money.

• Clean Money Full Public Financing of Political Campaigns that will level the playing field so new candidates can win on their ideas, not because of the money they raise.

• A Ban on Contributions From Lobbyists and groups seeking business with the state.

• Tough Disclosure and Enforcement that will stop candidates from hiding behind negative ads and punish politicians who violate the law.

By Bucking the System today, you are joining a powerful coalition of organizations and citizens working to create a government that is accountable to us, not to big special interest campaign donors.

Buck the System Now!

Prop 89 is supported by trusted groups including the League of Women Voters of California, the California Nurses Association, the California Clean Money Campaign, California Common Cause, California Church IMPACT, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, Sierra Club California, and many other groups and individuals fighting for reform.

Please check out www.BucktheSystemNow.com and give $5 today. Or Buck the System even more by giving more if you can.

Then tell all your friends to "Buck the System", too. Even email your friends outside California, because if Prop 89 passes in California, it will sweep the country and help buck the corrupt money system everywhere!

Everybody can afford to give $5 — and with the price political corruption costs everyone, how can anybody afford not to?

Buck the System Now!

Sincerely,

Clean Money Now -- Yes on 89

P.S. We can put an end to special interest control of government. Please forward this to as many people as possible. Everybody who Bucks the System makes a difference!

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