LETTERS: VOTE YES TO PUT LIMITS ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

To the editor:

Do you think there is too much money in politics? If your answer is "yes," you are not alone. A recent poll conducted by Bannon Research, a national firm, shows that 90 percent of your fellow Missourians agree. What you might not know, is that this November you will have a chance to do something about it by voting yes on Proposition A.

The problem in our political system is all too clear. As campaign spending has increased, so has the reliance on large special-interest contributions. In 1992, a record $37.3 million was spent on Missouri elections, an increase of 46 percent over 1988, the most recent comparable year. The share of that money attached to PACs and large contributors has also grown. What are the effects of this trend? The answer is familiar to many: gridlock, special-interest legislation, and waste of taxpayer money.

Proposition A attacks this problem at its source. It sharply limits campaign contributions from any individual, group, or PAC to $100 or $200 depending on the size of the election district, and $300 for statewide races. It also limits the size of the funding "war-chests" that incumbents are allowed to carry over from one election to the next to $1,000, $2,000, and $3,000 respectively. The accumulation of large "on-hand" campaign accounts has become a key advantage for incumbents in recent years.

Capping contributions at $100-$300 forces candidates to raise money from a broader segment of the community and limits the influence that any group or individual can have with an official. Politicians will become more accountable to the average voter as they are forced to reach out to a broader segment of the population for their campaign funds. Combined with the restrictions on incumbent campaign "war chests" the contribution limit would help level the playing field between incumbents and challengers, invigorating our democracy with more competitive, more inclusive campaigns.

As we approach election day, voters are likely to hear from some officials that they have already solved the problem of special-interest money with the reform proposal passed this spring by the legislature. Don't be fooled. The legislature's reform package (SB 650), while a first step toward reform, still falls far short of the mark. It would allow contributions as high as $2,000 and would "limit" war chests to an absurdly high $750,000 for the governor. We clearly need to go further in restricting big money contributions and incumbent advantage. Proposition A represents that next step.

While Proposition A will not cure all the ills of our political system, it is the best chance for meaningful reform that has yet been offered to Missouri voters, and will help pave the way to more comprehensive reforms in the years to come. If you think there is way too much money in politics, be sure to vote "yes" on Proposition A.

GUS STROUD

ANDY IREJAS

Missourians for Campaign Finance Reform

St. Louis