freshnessText = new Array( new Array( "The need for collecting large campaign funds would vanish if Congress provided an appropriation for the proper and legitimate expenses of each of the great national parties.", "President Theodore Roosevelt (R), 1907", "teddyroosevelt.jpg"), new Array( "Our current system of financing political campaigns excludes many people, including Latinos, from fully participating in the political process because they do not have vast financial resources. Clean Elections campaign reform will help to change this, and enhance democracy for all of us.", "Antonia Hernandez, executive director of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund", "antoniahernandez.jpg"), new Array( "It's the best investment the public can make. Then the [politician's] allegiance is owed to the public.", "John Garamendi, California Insurance Commissioner", "johngaramendi.jpg"), new Array( "We need an election process that decreases the role of money in politics, and increases public participation and trust in politics. Only then, through decreasing politicians' dependence on campaign contributors and focusing on publicly-financed elections, can we improve the long-term, best interests of the entire nation.", "Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club", "carlpope.jpg"), new Array( "Corruption dominates the ballot box, the [state] legislatures and the Congress and touches even the bench.....The newspapers are largely subsidized or muzzled, public opinion silenced....The fruits of the toil of millions are boldly stolen to build up colossal fortunes for a few.", "Founding convention of the People's Party, 1892 (Known as the Populists)", "populistswilliampeffer.jpg"), new Array( "The idea that we have to pay homage to the pharaoh is like somebody standing at (Davis') door and saying, 'What gifts do you bring the governor, that you have an audience with him?'", "Paul Turner, Greenlining Institute", "paulturner.jpg"), new Array( "My ideal system would be public financing… I want to move on to public financing.", "U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, The Progressive Magazine, May 2002", "russfeingold.jpg"), new Array( "One of the key provisions of Proposition 20 and the current coastal act is the focus on obtaining public access paths to the beaches. That -- rather than a Great Wall of Mansions -- is what the Coastal Commission is supposed to protect. And whether it takes the state Supreme Court or the Legislature or a clean-money campaigning initiative, that is what we need to fight for.", "Ellen Stern Harris, Executive Director, Fund For The Environment and co-author of the initiative which created the California Coastal Act", "ellensternharris.jpg"), new Array( "Political campaigns cost money. We can’t control that. But we can control where that money comes from. I suggest that we need to do more than simply reform the corrupt campaign finance system in this country…Eliminating the private money could eliminate private influence on our government.", "Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego), in “Public Financing of Political Campaigns—the Next Step in the Battle for Control of America", "bobfilner.jpg"), new Array( "To date the reform legislation passed at the Federal level has been limited in scope. Instead, it is at the state level that ambitious efforts to stem the flow of money in politics have emerged and been successful. California is in desperate need of reform, and the California Clean Money Campaign has a comprehensive solution that will have a national impact when enacted.", "Nick Nyhart, Executive Director, Public Campaign.", "nicknyhart.jpg"), new Array( "...there are more important priorities such as access to health care, but one might imagine how much access to health care there would be if politicians didn't need money from HMO lobbyists.", "The Greenlining Institute. \"Claiming Our Democracy.\" Page 11.", "greenlining.jpg"), new Array( "[Public financing is] the difference between being able to go out and spend your time talking with voters, meeting with groups, ... traveling to communities that have been underrepresented in the past, as opposed to being on the phone selling tickets to a $250 a plate fundraiser....", "Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano (D)", "janetnapolitano.jpg"), new Array( "Now the only interests I'm tied to are my constituents. And they feel a lot more connected to me. My constituent calls have tripled.", "Arizona State Representative Leah Landrum Taylor (D)", "leahlandrumtaylor.jpg"), new Array( "With the Clean Elections, it seemed less daunting a task to run. I could do what I can do, which is talk to people, as opposed to raising money, which in my life, I didn't have any experience in.", "Maine State Representative Deborah Simpson (D), Single mother juggling night school and a waitressing job before winning public office.", "deborahsimpson.jpg"), new Array( "I don't owe anyone after the race.... I don't owe them any favors and I think that's instrumental.", "Arizona State Representative Robert Meza (D)", "robertmeza.jpg"), new Array( "It was refreshing not to have to raise money, or in some cases spend my own.... I feel a certain independence from certain special interest groups. It was nice to be able to say, 'Thanks for the thought, but I'm running clean.", "Three-term Maine State Senator Peter Mills (R)", "petermills.jpg"), new Array( "It's a tough job to run and get contributions for, because the only people interested are utilities, and you don't want to take contributions from them. In the old days, there'd be endless debate about who was raising money for who. Now, candidates are talking about issues.", "Marc Spitzer (R), chairman of the Arizona Corporations Commission, which now has Clean Money financing", "marcspitzer.jpg"), new Array( "Either the public buys the politicians or the private interests continue to.", "Los Angeles Times political columnist George Skelton", "georgeskelton.gif"), new Array( "Cleanly financed elections that bring more citizens into the political process as candidates, donors and organizers are vital to maintaining the health of American democracy.", "New York Times Editorial, 1/31/02", "nytimes-mini.gif"), new Array( "Public financing is the best thing that has happened to politics and public-policy making in this state in decades.", "Arizona Daily Star Editorial on Arizona's Clean Election Act, 3/27/02", "arizonadailystar.gif"), new Array( "[Clean Money] is a much needed response to the takeover of our political system by special interests that are not only driving Mack trucks through the loopholes in the existing laws, but also determining much of our national agenda.", "Syndicated columnist Arianna Huffington", "ariannahuffington.jpg"), new Array( "The simple truth is that campaigning is expensive, and candidates will get the money someplace. Far better that the public, not special interests, put up the bucks.", "USA Today Editorial, 2/28/02", "usatoday.jpg"), new Array( "The Clean Elections system has removed big-money power-brokering from state elections, allowing candidates to bypass special interests.", "Arizona Daily Sun Editorial on Arizona's Clean Election Act, 3/27/02", "arizonadailysun.jpg"), new Array( "Publicly financed elections are the next step in Democracy. It's the way we can neutralize the power of concentrated wealth. It's our missing piece.", "James Bennett Saxon, Website Volunteer, Marina Del Rey", "jamessaxon3.jpg"), new Array( "I volunteer because ordinary people have no voice in the current political system. We have to get private money out of campaigns to change that.", "Juan Gonzalez, Website Volunteer, Santa Monica", "juangonzalez.jpg"), new Array( "As an intern for the California Clean Money Campaign, I feel that I'm working on something meaningful and that I'm gaining invaluable political experience. My commitment to restoring democracy in California and beyond is continually strengthened and renewed while working alongside such dedicated people.", "Eric Tang, Student Intern, Los Angeles", "erictang.jpg"), new Array( "There are two things that are important in politics: The first is money and I can't remember what the second one is.", "Mark Hanna, U.S. Senator (Ohio) (1895)", "generic.gif"), new Array( "No one wants to deceive the public, but our job is to win elections. We exist to win...", "California GOP spokesman Rob Stutzman, on scandal in which state GOP bent campaign finance rules to hide nearly $1 million in donations from 21st Century Insurance for 2002 elections.", "generic.gif"), new Array( "You can go to Mike with a problem, a request, asking with a hand out, and Mike will be more than willing to help you.", "Beer industry lobbyist about Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), who heads the Democratic Business Council.", "generic.gif"), new Array( "I can't be bought, but I can be rented.", "John Breaux, Former U.S. Congressman and Senator (D-LA)", "generic.gif"), new Array( "I want us to give politicians the option to serve the public with honor and dignity. Clean Money will give them that option.", "Tobi Dragert, Volunteer Newsletter Editor, Los Angeles", "tobidraggert.jpg"), new Array( "I volunteer because Clean Money will give everyone an equal voice -- the American dream of true democracy. What's more important than that?", "Catherine Ashworth, Website Volunteer, San Francisco", "catherineashworth.jpg"), new Array( "Clean Money [...] means that California government will become more responsive to its citizens rather than to campaign contributors.", "Bob Stern, President of the Center for Government Studies, Los Angeles", "bobstern.jpg"), new Array( "Speaking about Clean Money allows me to actively help bring true campaign finance reform not only to our state but also to our nation. As more states adopt public funding, it will pressure Congress to enact it at the federal level also.", "Gail Jonas, Volunteer Speaker, Healdsburg", "gailjonas.jpg"), new Array( "The governor and Legislature are not in charge of state government. Sacramento is owned by Indian gambling interests, and, to roughly the same extent, by prison guards.", "Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, January 17, 2003", "stevelopez.jpg"), new Array( "After a few months of doing it, I was realizing how it was wonderfully shifting my focus more completely back to my constituency.", "Former State Sen. Susan Longley, (D, Maine). Ran and elected \"Clean\" in 2000.", "susanlongley.jpg"), new Array( "I'm tired of Paul always talking about special interest we've got to pay attention to who is buttering our bread.", "Colleague of former U.S. Senator Paul Simon (D-Ill.)", "generic.gif"), new Array( "It's beyond the perception of impropriety. It's '... you give me money and support; I give you this.' It's wrong. People can do this with smiles and winks and all of this, but to put it in actual words — incredible! It's an incredible sellout.", "Bill Thompson, Professor at UNLV and author of \"Gambling in America: An Encyclopedia\", on a Gov. Gray Davis offer to Indian tribes during the recall campaign.", "billthompson.jpg"), new Array( "The system is corrupting by the way it's constructed. [Gov. Gray Davis] was a victim of it as well as a perpetrator of it. It's awful.", "State Sen. John Vasconcellos (D)", "johnvasconcellos.jpg"), new Array( "Clean Money is critical to the resuscitation of democracy in California. Without public financing of elections, representative government will always be undermined.", "Steve Fein, Board Member, Mill Valley", "stevefein.jpg"), new Array( "Here in America we see the special interests groups and those who have the money who are powerful being the ones who call the shots. That is just not right. In fact, it's very wrong. It's morally wrong. It excludes the majority of the American people. And for me that is very undemocratic.", "U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA)", "barbaralee.jpg"), new Array( "[Clean Money] takes special interest out of the election process and replaces it with the public interest, returning our political process to the hallowed principle of one person, one vote.", "Ex-U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone (D), MN. In 2001 speech on Clean Money Clean Elections legislation.", "paulwellstone.jpg"), new Array( "It doesn't matter how hard-working or well-intentioned you are, at some point your relationships with lobbyists and special interests become a lot stronger than your relationship with your constituents.", "Dan Schnur, Communications Director for former Gov. Pete Wilson", "generic.gif"), new Array( "Contributions clearly do affect policy decisions. Because if you vote against the interests of someone who has been a significant supporter, it only makes sense that person will become less of a significant supporter — or a politician's worst nightmare, a significant opponent. You vote against those interests at your peril.", "Darry Sragow, Democratic consultant who runs Assembly campaigns", "generic.gif"), new Array( "Clean Money is critical to me so our children and grandchildren can live in true democracy providing equality of support and opportunity for everyone!", "Ranya Cohen, Bay Area Working Group, Moraga", "ranyacohen.jpg"), new Array( "For too long, money has determined electability and influenced public policy decisions in Sacramento. Clean money will help end pay-to-play politics and restore voters' trust in democracy.", "Jay Ashford, Bay Area Working Group, Berkeley", "jayashford.jpg"), new Array( "I fail to understand why it's legal to try to buy an election. Each candidate should have the same amount of money to spend, and all of us ought to pay for it - not just people who are interested in having the president do something for them after he's elected.", "Andy Rooney, 60 Minutes, 5/9/04", "andyrooney.jpg"), new Array( "Those clean-money plans have given new people a chance to enter politics without mortgaging their houses or their souls.", "E.J. Dionne Jr., Washington Post columnist, 6/4/04", "ejdionne.jpg"), new Array( "The good news is, the Clean Money/Clean Elections concept is not some pie-in-the-sky fantasy. It's already the law in five states, and in the two states where it's fully implemented, Maine and Arizona, the results have been inspiring: more people running for office, more competition, more contested races, more women and minorities running, and a more independent pool of legislators elected.", "Arianna Huffington - Fanatics and Fools", "arianna.jpg"), new Array( "Good public policy for our economy, our culture and our safety will never fully exist without: First, public financing of elections...", "Warren Beatty", "warrenbeatty.jpg"), new Array( "I'm absolutely for public financing. There's too much special interest money.", "Art Pulaski, head of the California Labor Federation", "artpulaski.jpg"), new Array( "There's unlimited business out there for us", "Robert L. Livingston, president of a thriving six-year-old lobbying firm.", "generic.gif") );