Michael Bloomberg, former Republican/independent mayor of New York City & 8th richest man in the country, has reportedly contributed over one million dollars to promote Oregon’s Measure 90, the “Top Two” election system. From an email blast from the Free and Equal Elections Foundation:
The Free and Equal Elections Foundation, a non-partisan election reform organization, is calling into question former New York Mayor & billionaire Mike Bloomberg’s $1.25 million dollar contribution to Oregon’s Measure 90 (Top Two primary system), as part of Free and Equal’s Stop Top Two Nationwide campaign, one of the organization’s many initiatives to create open elections free of big money influence.
Top Two in California, passed by Prop 14 in June 2010, has killed independent and alternative party candidates, entrenching big money influence by only allowing two candidates on the general election ballot. The ‘choice’ voters have for Governor of California are between Jerry Brown, who supports fracking, big banks, and private prisons, and Neel Kashkari, a former Goldman Sachs banker who worked under Tim Geithner in both the Bush & Obama administrations overseeing the TARP bailout of the rich, such as his former employer Goldman Sachs. In Congressional races, the ‘choice’ is often between two candidates equally beholden to big banks and corporations.
Bloomberg’s contribution is the latest in a number of large checks sent from out-of-state billionaires to support the effort to replace Oregon’s primary elections. Bloomberg joins an elite but small group that is funding the Measure 90 campaign, including fellow out-of-state billionaire and former Enron executive John Arnold, Associated Oregon Industries, and a number of other big corporations. These special interest contributions make Measure 90 one of the heaviest funded ballot measure campaigns in Oregon’s history.
Help Free and Equal be a formidable force in the face of big money influence. Donate today to support our efforts for open elections.
“Measure 90 dramatically changes how we run our Oregon elections. I’m deeply concerned about why corporate interests are showing such a vested interest,” said Sara Logue, Protect Our Vote Coalition spokesperson.
Proponents of the “Top Two” proposal have contributed more than $4 million to the efforts to-date. Over two-thirds of that total comes directly from billionaires Bloomberg and Arnold.
“Why would out-of-state billionaires spend millions supporting this campaign? Good question. Perhaps it’s because of what they can get out of a victory,” said Stephen Michael, State Director of The Main Street Alliance of Oregon.
Arnold in particular has been actively working to roll back rights for working people. He was chronicled in Rolling Stone in their “Looting the Pension Funds” exposé, and given the moniker the “Wolf of Sesame Street” for his effort to fund anti-retirement initiatives through donations to PBS. PBS later returned Arnold’s donation.
Measure 90 significantly changes Oregon’s elections, making it easier for special interests to elect candidates who will side with their narrow agenda at the expense of working people. Measure 90 would replace Oregon’s current May election with a “Top Two” system that essentially guarantees that only the two best-funded candidates would reach the November ballot.
Free and Equal Elections lead a coalition to defeat Arizona’s Prop 121 in 2012. The League of Women Voters AZ along with Free and Equal held a panel discussion on Top Two & Prop 121 at the Goldwater Institute. Prop 121 was defeated by a 2 to 1 margin. The people of Oregon have a chance to stand united and defeat Top Two once more.
Nonsense. It was a huge turd just like any top two legislation. Maybe you are mixing it up with another proposal that did not get enough signatures and even that one was still no good, albeit it did have some redeeming qualities. Really glad this one got flushed.
Free And Equal, as much as I respect their efforts on holding debates, erred in opposing Oregon Measure 90. It was not like other Top-Two measures. It would have required that all voters have equal influence over the outcome.
How many have even been on the general election ballot in top two states?
“Bob Haran
October 28, 2014 at 12:53 pm
Oh, I didn’t know that the closed primary system was so successful for third parties. Please tell me again how many; Libertarian, Green and, Constitution Party; governors, members of congress and state legislators have been elected under the closed primary system.”
Minor party and independent candidates may not get elected most of the time, but they do get elected sometimes. Top Two Primary greatly reduces the odds of this happening, and more importantly, Top Two Primary takes away the ability of minor party and independent candidates to get their messages out to the public during the build up to the general elections after the primaries, which is when the highest percentage of the public is paying attention to politics. Top Two Primary is a way for the political establishment to silence dissent.
Myth #1: Third party candidates are never elected to public office
Three Libertarians were elected in Alaska between 1978 and 1984, with another four elected in New Hampshire in 1992.
In 1987, Libertarians were elected to every seat on the city council in Big Water, Utah.
, in 1992, Bonnie Flickinger won election as Mayor of Moreno Valley, California. Numerous Libertarians were elected to city councils from this point on. Additionally, since 1992, Libertarian mayors have been an up-and- coming phenomenon.
In 1998 alone, nineteen Libertarians were elected to office, including Vermont state representative Neil Randall. Thus, to date, over 300 Libertarian officials are currently serving in office in the United States.
Keep you eyes tightly shut, as well as your mind, Mr. Haran. The light can be blinding!!
Oh, I didn’t know that the closed primary system was so successful for third parties. Please tell me again how many; Libertarian, Green and, Constitution Party; governors, members of congress and state legislators have been elected under the closed primary system.
“Dave Terry
October 28, 2014 at 12:30 am
Someone should apprise Mr. Bloomberg of the greater risk of the bullet box. To the extent that the ballot box is discounted the value of the bullet box greatly appreciates.”
Bloomberg is also currently pouring money into gun control initiatives in a bunch of places. One is on the ballot this year in Washington, and there’s one being worked on right now in Nevada for the 2016 election, and more states are supposed to be targeted (pun intended) soon.
Someone should apprise Mr. Bloomberg of the greater risk of the bullet box. To the extent that the ballot box is discounted the value of the bullet box greatly appreciates.
Yep, he wants to take away our right to defend ourselves against establishment tyranny both with the ballot box as well as the bullet box.
It is looking like the entire west coast of the 48 contiguous states is going to fall under Top Two tyranny.
Today he gave yet another $400,000.
Too bad some other billionaire doesn’t hire someone to unload a 12 gauge down Bloomberg’s throat!!!!!!!!!!