A recent Washington Post story published in the Portland Press Herald highlighted the incredible amounts of money being funneled into the 2016 presidential campaign (“Million-dollar donors pump huge sums into ’16 White House run,” Aug. 2).

Hundreds of millions of dollars have already been raised from a very small pool of very wealthy donors who are using our recently weakened campaign finance laws to consolidate power and control over our elections.

In Maine, we have an opportunity to stand up to big money in politics by passing Question 1 on the November ballot.

Question 1 will increase transparency and shine a light on wealthy special interest money in our elections by requiring outside groups to list their top three funders on any ads they buy.

It will impose strict limits on spending and enforce tough limits on contributions by strengthening Maine’s Clean Election Act so that candidates can run for office without being dependent on contributions from wealthy special interests.

It also raises fines and penalties for those who break election rules so that we the people can take back control of our elections.

Bottom line: We deserve politicians who work for us. When politicians depend on contributions from the big money groups and corporate lobbyists, they work for them. We need elected officials who work for us and will focus on our priorities like education, creating jobs and raising the minimum wage.

Please join me in supporting Question 1 on Nov. 3. It’s time to take back control of our elections.

Jack Hayes

Portland

Copy the Story Link