THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA
www.cagreens.org
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Contact: Sara Amir, spokesperson 310.270-7106 saraamir@earthlink.net
Stuart Bechman 805-405-3929 sbechman@sbcglobal.net
Beth Moore Haines, spokesperson 530.277-0610 beth@ncws.com
Susan King 415.823-5524 funking@mindspring.com
SAN DIEGO (July 20, 2005) - The conviction of San
Diego council members this week for trading political favors for
campaign contributions from special interests should ignite renewed
public concern regarding immediate campaign reform, said the Green
Party of California Wednesday.
The Green Party - whose candidates do not accept
contributions from business groups or corporations - has long
advocated public financing of elections, as well as limits on campaign
spending as a way of reducing the influence of business interests, and
empowering the public interest in the election process.
Both the Republican and Democratic parties have
resisted such changes.
In San Diego Monday, acting mayor Michael Zucchet
and city councilman Ralph Inzunza were convicted of doing what elected
officials from the Democratic and Republican parties do every day -
accept money from business interests. Each received $23,000
contributions from the owner of "Cheetahs Totally Nude club"
and in exchange agreed to work toward easing a city law that prohibits
nude dancers from touching customers.
"There is nothing in this case in San Diego
that is really any different than what happens on a daily basis in the
state Legislature or in local elected bodies. Special interest money
is bribery," said Beth Moore Haines, a Nevada City GPCA
spokesperson. "Even as San Diego elects people to replace these
two council members, it sets the stage for more abuses because we
allow special interests to influence our political leaders."
"It's a sad fact that our politicians are, as
many say, the best that money can buy," said Stuart Bechman, a
Southern California GPCA spokesperson. "Campaign financing laws
must change before the citizenry completely tunes-out of the electoral
process. This is a reform that is long past due as evidenced by the
unfolding events in San Diego."