Campaign Reforms

In your editorial (“The Much-Needed Reform That Has Virtually No Lobby,” Dec. 1), you addressed the ills of our congressional election process, noting the enormous amount of money that goes primarily to incumbents. A reform you support includes caps on spending and PAC donations, and provides federal matching funds. Unfortunately, as you pointed out, although bills containing that reform have been passed by both houses of Congress, President Bush opposes limits on campaign expenditures.

Since that reform clearly will not become law, here is a proposal that could have appeal to both sides: Continue to allow unlimited campaign expenditures, but tax donations at a 50% rate and distribute the funds raised by this tax to the opposing candidates. In addition to eliminating the extraordinary financing advantage that incumbents presently enjoy, this proposal would eliminate the need for federal funding.

NORMAN ACKERMAN, San Marino