Political extortion

With all the problems facing California—recession and the energy crisis, for instance—how can the governor spend so much time raising $30 million for a campaign that is supposedly a year away? It’s got to stop, and we’re calling on business people to make the first move.

The politicos are combing through the business community now, doing the unseemly work of extorting millions. Elected officials become paid shakedown artists instead of dedicated professionals doing the job of running government and coming up with innovative proposals to solve serious problems.

The people who do have business before the legislature or the governor believe they must make the payoff to be heard, and I believe access is granted to those who pay. So to make matters worse, it is only the rich who are heard on the problems that face all of us.

Our message to the business community is this: Stop giving. You can preserve the democracy by simply saying no. General Motors and Time Warner have publicly sworn off giving soft money in national elections and they’re still in business.

Spend your money elsewhere and spread the word: Political extortion is bad for business, and the future of our country.