CAMPAIGN: Just follow the money

The Idaho Chapter of AARP recently reviewed the 2010 campaign reports filed with the Idaho Secretary of State by candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor and the Idaho Legislature. The report makes interesting reading. Corporations, businesses and political action committees ("PACs") spent $2.7 million on the campaigns of these Idaho elected officials in 2010 with more than 35 percent of the political contributions coming from out of state sources.

Our legislators, those elected to directly represent the interests of individuals, received a whopping 76 percent of their campaign funds from corporations, businesses and PACs (34 legislators received 90 percent or more from such sources). By comparison, legislators received only 23 percent of their campaign contributions from individual donors.

While each of us recognizes that businesses and corporations, especially those headquartered in our state, have legitimate interests to protect, and that they provide employment and other significant benefits to our communities and our citizens, the report does give rise to some valid concerns about whose interests are paramount in the minds of those we elect to represent us in the Legislature.

We should all consider the recommendations in the report: (a) that candidates for public office raise the majority of their campaign funds from individual contributors who reside in their district, (b) that limits be placed on the amount of funds a PAC can contribute to a political campaign (currently unlimited) and (c) that limits be placed on the amount of money that can be contributed to Idaho's state political parties from any source (currently there is no limit).

We need to insure that our elected officials at all levels of government remain responsive to the concerns of the majority of the voting public and limit the impact of the "golden rule" of politics.

LEN CROSBY

Post Falls