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Humboldt County, CA June 3, 2008 Election
Smart Voter

Why local campaign finance reform?

By Paul Pitino

Candidate for Supervisor; County of Humboldt; District 3

This information is provided by the candidate
Money is the largest problem with our current political process. I am taking the opportunity to highlight this problem, and show it can be done differently through my campaign. I was elected in 2004 to the Arcata City Council using only my money($204). I went door to door, event to event, and spoke to people anywhere we met. It worked then and can work now, if we trust and believe in the process. LOCAL ACTION CREATES GLOBAL CHANGE1
Over the past four years, I have had the opportunity to observe the political process and it's results, from the inside. The freedom I have had as an independant decision-maker has been priceless. I don't have to consider who endorsed me or gave me money at any time. There are no political entanglements with cross endorsements (I endorse you and you endorse me), nor are there powerful people with direct or indirect influence over me. I have sat on the Council and been free to judge the merits of projects and ideas for their value, not who brings them forward or backs them. I don't have think about future or current political consequences to me. I like to say that I am unattached to the outcomes, only concerned with the effect on the population. Fear is the basis for most negative activity I observe. Candidates feel that they need to use all methods to get the word out about themselves. To that end, money becomes important. Without money, expensive advertisements, signs, banners, or buttons can't be bought. Money, (donations to candidates) starts the Circle of Influence ending in advertisement of Supporters/Endorsers. Who are asked to join the team and in return are given credit in the advertisements, thus ending the Circle of Influence by rewarding those supporters/endorsers publicly. Signs, buttons, and banners continue the team concept. They create negative and uncomfortable feelings among candidates and serve only to weaken the basic purpose of the secret ballot. It's no secret when you wear a button, put up a sign or get your name/picture on a list or ad. The big item is that it's not necessary. We are a relatively small community and there are many ways to find out about people, this forum is a good example. By election day, the opportunities for information about a candidate have all been presented through free media, forums, and personal contact. We even have ballot statements as part of the sample ballot to state our case. Let the voters decide and save the money for a good cause.

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ca/hm Created from information supplied by the candidate: May 20, 2008 19:20
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