Take back elections

Our budding, young republic is ruled by big money, and we would be well-advised to admit it to ourselves. The millionaires and billionaires have, for the most part, wrestled control of our electoral process away from us. They are easily able to outspend and outshout the rest of us. In most of our electoral contests, the folks with the deepest pockets can be counted on to spend enough money to ensure that their candidates and measures will prevail. This is not a description of a democracy. It is, however, a description of a dollar-democracy.

Recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions have virtually slammed the door on most campaign-finance regulations, regulations meant to level the political playing-field. These decisions attempt to equate money with protected political speech. But the word “money” cannot be found in the First Amendment.

I would like to encourage everyone to support initiative I-735 in the upcoming election. Allow Washington to join 18 other states, and hundreds of other counties and municipalities, in promoting a constitutional amendment that would enable regulations regarding campaign spending.

If you are sick and tired of seeing the wealthy steal our elections, vote yes on I-735.

Earl Elias

Spokane