Writings

Public finance unfairly attacked

Congratulations to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for its overwhelming 9-2 vote to support public campaign financing, which will significantly reduce the negative influence of money on our democratic institutions.

Recently, some opponents, instead of stating their opposition outright, have said that this legislation should not be passed by the board, but should go before the voters. It is interesting to note that this objection was not raised in the months that this proposition was making its way through the legislative channels, but only at the very end of the process, when it became clear the legislation had overwhelming support on the board.

The opponents then understood that their only chance to kill the legislation was a ballot fight, where big money would have the opportunity to spend millions to confuse the voters, while the proponents of campaign finance reform would not have the resources to get their message out. I�m disappointed that Examiner columnist Ken Garcia is now parroting the objections of the opponents [�Public financing scheme is democracy in name only,� Feb. 18].

Tony Brasunas
The City