It's no wonder there's a surge of enthusiasm for public campaign financing.

Money scandals in Washington, D.C., and the tons of private money that fueled our own judicial primary and I-933 have sparked outrage. Gov. Gregoire now advocates public funding in judicial races. And why not include all our state candidates?

Here's a partial list of the rotten fruits of our current system:

1. Big contributors wield undue influence on government decisions.

2. Public officials must constantly raise money to get re-elected, even while in office.

3. Voters are increasingly apathetic about participating in the governing process.

4. We don't get the best people to represent us, just the richest and the best connected. Worthy potential candidates, especially women and minorities are reluctant to play the money game to win.

In a true democracy, public officials would take office free of obligations except to their constituents.

Public campaign financing is working in Maine and Arizona. Please contact Washington Public Campaigns (WPC) if you want to learn more, or go to our website at www.washclean.org.

WPC is drafting bills for the next legislative session to establish publicly funded elections in Washington state for all state offices.

Restore our Democracy! Support Public Campaign Financing!

Annie Phillips

_Burien