The 2008 presidential candidates are spending more and more time wooing fat-cat donors and special interest groups with deep pockets. Meanwhile, media outlets report on the money chase like it's nothing more than a sporting event. We can no longer afford to think of campaign fundraising as an exciting horse race - it's a major problem that's hurting American democracy.

Help us put the real question on the center of your local newspaper's op-ed page: when candidates compete for dollars, who loses? (You know the answer - voters do.) Compose and send your letter now!

Talking Points

Need ideas before you write? Here are some talking points to help you organize your thoughts. Remember to write your letter in your own words - it stands a better chance of getting published.

• Under our current election system, big-time donors and wealthy special-interest groups have too much influence over candidates for office and over lawmakers once they're in office. Public funding for candidates would sever the direct link between big money and politics.
• Right now, candidates must be rich or well-connected in order to run a viable campaign, and the winner is almost always the candidate who raises the most money. That discourages qualified people from seeking office and limits voters' choices. The Fair Elections Now Act would solve this problem by leveling the playing field and bringing fresh faces and new ideas into campaigns.
• The Fair Elections Now Act would provide public campaign funding for qualifying candidates who agree to strict spending limits and to only accept small contributions from individuals.
• The Fair Elections Now Act would let candidates, and current officeholders seeking reelection, spend less time fundraising and more time talking to voters and focusing on issues that matter.