If you, like us over here at EBX HQ, often wonder what it would be like to have an imaginary correspondence with a disgraced political lobbyist, you will get a kick out of this bit of campaign propaganda that purports to be from the desk of one Mr. Jack Abramoff and is delightfully titled “Thoughts on Prop 89 As I Prepare for Prison.” Okay, it’s really from the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, better known as consumerwatchdog.org, one of the groups supporting the campaign finance reform measure. But it’s still pretty funny. Or maybe not. We don’t know. This reverse psychology stuff is so confusing. The full text of the press release after the jump.
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Thoughts on Prop 89 As I Prepare for Prison
Dear Reform-Minded Voter,
If Prop 89 becomes law, lobbyists like me will not have the power we once did. This would be a huge problem for my friends and clients.
I was the Capitol’s top lobbyist and I had Washington wired. And now some people call me the poster boy for reform. Boy, that ticks me off. Do people understand that Prop 89 would make people like me and my clients less powerful in Sacramento?
California’s nurses, who are leading the campaign for Prop 89, claim they want to protect voters like they protect patients every day.
HMOs, drug makers, insurers and oil companies don’t need the nurses’ help, which is why they’ve put up millions to defeat Prop 89. Trust me, the special interests have things totally under control in California and it is working just great. That’s why my old lobbying firm set up shop in Sacramento recently. What will happen to them if Californians enact the tough reforms in Prop 89? Is anyone thinking about the lobbyists?
Prop 89 even bans lobbyists from making donations. How would we ever get anything done? Prop 89 strictly limits campaign contributions to ballot measure committees and politicians. You know what that’ll do? Leave us with fewer political ads. Whose idea was that?
And do you really want tougher laws to put politicians and lobbyists in jail? Aren’t California’s jails overcrowded enough?
Please, as my last request before I enter my own prison cell next week, don’t believe the California Nurses Association and the League of Women Voters’ campaign for Yes on 89. California politics has been working just great (for my clients anyway).
Most sincerely,
Jack Abramoff
Please forward my message on to your friends and family:
(http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/advocacy/abramoffletter/)
Editor’s Note: Prop 89, a campaign reform measure sponsored by the California Nurses Association, dramatically reduces the power of special interests over California politicians and limits out-of-control spending on ballot measures. Prop 89 bars lobbyists and state contractors from making political contributions and limits the amount that corporations, unions and other interest groups can contribute to politicians. Prop 89 allows candidates with broad grassroots support to receive funding for their campaigns in exchange for agreeing not to fundraise from special interests (or anyone). Prop 89 also limits corporate contributions to initiative campaigns to $10,000. Learn more about Prop 89 at http://www.yeson89.org
