Outlaw Dirty Money amendment would improve state
The column by Jon Gabriel (Aug. 12) in
The Republic extolling anonymous political spending, or “dirty money,” in our state contains so many misstatements about our Outlaw Dirty Money constitutional amendment proposal that, as the co-chairs, we felt we had to respond.
First, Mr. Gabriel is just wrong when he says the U.S. Constitution protects those who want to do their political spending in secret. There is no constitutional “Right to Hide” the source of political spending, as the justices have affirmed many times.
Second, while Mr. Gabriel proclaims that he is protecting our rights, he is only concerned about the rights of a few corporations and wealthy individuals. The rest of us have to disclose our name and address whenever we contribute over $50 to a candidate or cause. Why does he want a special exception for a few?
The Arizona Legislature carved out a special exemption for anyone (including those who don’t actually live in Arizona) who wants to dump millions to influence elections in our state and never disclose where the money comes from. The Outlaw Dirty Money initiative will get rid of such special favors. We want the same rules for everyone who spends money to influence an Arizona election. No exceptions.
Third, Mr. Gabriel’s suggestion that a retiree might be subjected to harassment after making a political contribution is creative fiction, at best.
He conveniently ignores that, under our proposal, the retiree would have to contribute over $2,500 before his or her name is disclosed. And, that his fictional retiree is no more likely to be harassed than all the rest of us who must fully disclose our identity whenever we contribute to a political cause or candidate.
Finally, he apparently missed the part of the Stop Political Dirty Money initiative that allows anyone with a legitimate concern that harm might come to them or their family to request that their name not be made public.
Mr. Gabriel would like the dirty-money players who have been secretly pouring millions of dollars into Arizona elections to continue to hide their identity. These folks are not exactly retirees on fixed incomes.
At the core of the matter, we believe that Arizonans have the right to know who is trying to influence their vote. Mr. Gabriel does not.
We are sick of dirty-money groups hijacking our democratic processes and degrading our political debate.
Conservative and liberal Arizonans alike are calling for an end to dirty money in politics. That’s because most Arizonans are honest and play by the rules.
Only a tiny few see it in their interest to conceal the source of political spending.
Most voters believe we have the right to know whether it’s George Soros or the Koch brothers cutting checks to fund an Arizona candidate or cause.
If voters say “yes” to the Outlaw Dirty Money amendment, they will amend the Arizona Constitution to require full disclosure. The amendment language is thorough, but not complicated.
The goal is to make it easy to comply with the law and hard to secretly manipulate the will of the voters. More information is available at www.outlawdirtymoney.com.
Jon Gabriel’s blogs are often entertaining, occasionally thought-provoking. But on this issue, we respectfully disagree. Democracy works best when the voters are fully informed. Outlaw Dirty Money doesn’t hinder political spending, but does give voters the right to know whose name is on the check.
We urge you to support the Outlaw Dirty Money constitutional amendment.
Former state Attorneys General Grant Woods and Terry Goddard; former Phoenix mayor Paul Johnson,, along with Jason Rose and Nan and Dick Walden, are co-chairs of the Outlaw Political Dirty Money initiative. Share your thoughts at terry@outlawdirtymoney.com and Pjohnson@oldworldaz.com.