Campaign Funding

Re “Hayden Takes Heat for Turning Down City’s Match,” Political Briefing, Jan. 18.

[Former state] Sen. Tom Hayden has again adhered to his true ideals of “free speech” he so eloquently supported in the ivory tower institutions of the 1960s. In the article, he mentioned his intention not to accept city matching funds for his candidacy for the Los Angeles City Council. Of course, he would like to continue to have his “free speech” announced from the position of power and money that has helped him so much in the past. Much like President Thomas Jefferson, who publicly admonished slavery but enslaved others when it was to his own benefit, Hayden has publicly admonished the use of large amounts of money in campaigns but has chosen to ignore the issue when it comes to his own benefit.

Hayden argues that it was difficult to work with matching funds in the past. I guess it was hard being dependent upon government bureaucracy for assistance. Mr. Hayden, I thought you would have believed that true campaign finance reform, political reform and justice could only originate from a process that adheres to those ideals rather than sells them out.

RON MERCKLING

Glendale