Don’t let monied interests bury you

‘Dark money’ initiative is key to transparency

The anonymous “dirty money” boys (and girls) are afraid you have common sense, so they’re trying to keep you from exercising it.

They filed a lawsuit to keep you from voting.

The mysterious people with lots of cash and even more anonymity (though we know that a couple of them are the billionaire Koch brothers) don’t want you to cast a ballot on the “Outlaw Dirty Money” initiative.

They don’t trust you. They’re not sure they can manipulate you, this time.

So they filed a lawsuit to keep you from voting. They’re challenging the signatures that would put the “Outlaw Dirty Money” amendment on the ballot.

Why?

Because you scare them. Although, really, what is there to be afraid of?

If “Outlaw Dirty Money” were to become law, it would amend Arizona’s constitution in a simple and straightforward way. It’s really easy to understand.

It says that those who spend more than $10,000 to get someone elected, or to keep someone from getting elected, or who put that kind of money into a ballot-measure campaign, either for or against, must identify those who contribute $2,500 or more.

It doesn’t put a cap on how much cash can be contributed. It doesn’t put any restrictions on how the money can be spent. It simply requires the donors to own up to their influence peddling.

As it is, these “dark money,” “dirty money” boys (and girls) get to hide behind amorphous organizations. They get to remain anonymous. To you, anyway. I’m sure the politicians they help know exactly who they are.

But really, if someone wants to spend a ton of cash on your vote, shouldn’t you at least get to know the buyer?

It would be nice if the Republicancontrolled Legislature or Gov. Doug Ducey had your back on this but ... just the opposite.

They’re with the dirty-money boys. (And girls.)

How do we know?

Because not too long ago, Tempe residents overwhelming passed a city ordinance requiring big donors in their elections to be named and the Legislature passed a law that prevents cities and counties from doing such a thing. And Gov. Ducey signed it.

The politicians are afraid of offending those anonymous individuals with the big bank accounts.

So it’s up to you.

And it won’t be easy.

If the dirty-money lawsuit doesn’t keep the initiative off the ballot, the dirty-money boys (and girls) will spend tons of money trying to convince you to vote against it. When that happens, remember how they tried to keep you from voting in the first place.

Remember how afraid they are of your common sense.

And use it.