I so agree with your article on campaign spending ['Limit campaign spending ... '; Dec. 1 Saratoga News]. Above all, I should know--I spent my own monies on the campaign, and took very little from contributors. But first of all we need to do away with "the slate" as this brings the cost to try to compete with the slate to levels that usually total their spending.

If you look at the last two elections, you will see their spending equals what I spent. It is totally unfair for any independent candidate to try to compete against two or more people running on the same slate. Also, if you lower your cost of advertising it would help in local elections. Maybe now is the time to give special ad rates to candidates.

I am so thankful that I did not run for governor of California. I think he spent more than $6 million of his own money.

Andrew (Andy) Barnes

Old Wood Road