Long-time RT readers know that we love Clean Money Clean Elections, which allow elected officials to more easily represent the people, rather than special interests with money. Money shouldn’t buy access to our lawmakers’ votes. Being a citizen should. Full public financing of state-level elections will help do that, for cheap. It’s not fair that State Senator Joe Robach (R) should be able to outspend his most recent challenger, $750,000 to $6,000. Yeah, you read that right. We need to level the playing field so that regular folks like you and me have a chance against entrenched, incumbent career politicians.

Citizen Action, the organizers behind the progressive wins in Binghamton, are fighting to get CMCE passed through the Albany Legislature. It’s a tough sell, given how dysfunctional the legislature is. Let’s help them out. Below are some helpful ideas from Citizen Action on how to write effective letters to your local paper about CMCE, along with some examples.

Today’s action will take slightly more than a minute, more like 10. So whether it’s your first ever or you’re a regular, take a few minutes today and write a very quick letter to the editor of your local paper, or any of New York’s major papers on behalf of passing Clean Elections in our state and nation.

Letters to the editor should be just a few lines, that make your main point stand out strong: “New York and the nation need to pass Clean Elections - full public financing for campaigns.” With all the news of the 2008 elections and the mega money pouring into presidential and even state campaigns there are plenty of opportunities to make a quick point about the need for Clean Elections.

We’ve done most of the work for you below! Below is a list of recent articles (from today or yesterday) about money in politics AND a “hook” for you to use in your letter!

Click HERE to get a list of NY newspapers and how you send in a Letter to the Editor.

Click HERE for tips and “how to” on writing a Letter to the Editor if you haven’t done it before.

Click HERE for a most recent example of Letter to the Editor on Clean Elections published.

Letters to the editor are one of the most powerful tools we have - WE can make our own media about Clean Elections. It’s simple and easy. Write one and send it in today!

More, even simpler actions coming tomorrow and the next day…till then,

Jess Wisneski
Campaigns Director
Citizen Action of New York

For more on Clean Elections Week of Action go to: www.fairelectionsnow.org and www.citizenactionny.org

The Buffalo News - Lobbying stalls generic drug legislation
(hook - we wonder why common sense legislation that protects consumers won’t pass!? We actually don’t wonder, it’s the money! That is why we need Clean Elections, full public financing nationally and in NYS!)

Newday - same as above, Lobbying stalls generic drug legislation

Troy Record - same as above, Lobbying stalls generic drug legislation

NY Times - McCain Disavows Group Trying to Help His Campaign
(hook - McCain and all the presidential candidates should be vocally supporting the reform of all campaign finance reforms, the one that truly levels the playing field and makes campaigns about ideas and merit, not money, that is full public financing, like the Fair Elections Now Act in the US Senate - NYS should do the same.”

The Oneonta Daily Star - Gillibrand, Arcuri aiming for re-election
(hook - until we get Clean Elections nationally, they’ll be forced to raise the big buck! New York should lead the way and pass Clean Elections, starting with the Assembly in 08!)

Press & Sun-Bulletin - Parties target key 2008 races
(hook - one of the main issues facing our electeds in 08 will be whether they actually did something to level the playing field and reduce the influence of big money in NY politics, the Assembly should lead the way by passing Clean Elections, full public financing in the 2008 session. Then we’ll see what happens in November)

The Journal News - same as above, New York races in 2008 already taking center stage

NY Daily News - Voice of the People
(hook - If voters really want to see choice in the voting booth New York State must do what Maine, Arizona and Connecticut have done, pass full public financing option, Clean Elections so more and different kinds of people can run for office without needing access to a roladex of rich friends.)