Dear Citizen

How often over the last few months have you thrown down the newspaper and said to yourself -- How are we ever going to fix that mess in Washington? We all know there’s only one way. And that’s to participate in the political process. How do you participate in a democracy? By contributing more money to our party.

Last year, you helped us with a $50 contribution, and hey, we appreciate it. We know that must’ve taken a real sacrifice on your part. But this year, we’re asking you to consider raising that amount to, say, $1,000.

That may seem like a pretty big jump, but really, what choice do we have? Twenty years ago, we would’ve been grateful for your $50 contribution. These days, we’re inclined to say if that’s all you can come up with, don’t even bother. It costs us almost $50 just to process your check and make sure you’re not Johnny Chung’s mother-in-law.

$1,000 may seem like a lot of money, but without your help, how are we ever going to be able to take on all those special interest groups? You know the ones we mean -- Women. People who work for a living. Taxpayers. Immigrants and the children of immigrants. Every one of those groups has their pet project, their big whiny agenda, and they think Washington is their personal playpen.

Now we know what you’re thinking. What does this party really stand for? How do I know it’s really going to be fighting for my interests? Okay. Fair enough. Let’s look at the issues.

For example, what about taxes? We know we have to lower taxes. And we will lower taxes. Give us that $1,000 contribution and you can be damn sure we’ll lower your taxes. In fact, the more money you give us, the more we’ll be able to lower your taxes.

And there are more issues. What about social security? What about HMOs? What about all that trouble in the schools? What about road rage and the e coli virus. Maybe there is no connection, but what if there is? We know you care about those issues. And this is your chance to do something about it.

Right now you’re probably thinking My God, politics is a slimy business. And you’re right. You’ve seen the type of TV ads our opponents have broadcast. Lies, distortions, misstatements of the record, amateur cinematography. Who can stand to watch it? There’s only one way we can respond to all these negative campaign ads. Give us money so we can produce our own negative campaign ads. Fairness demands it.

You may be thinking to yourself -- Could money really make that much of a difference? Well folks, it does. In over 90% of the Congressional elections in 1998, the candidate who raised and spent more money won the election. There’s only one way we can fight this juggernaut. We have to raise more money than they do.

So right now you’re probably thinking -- Isn’t there a better way than me giving $1,000? Sure there is. You could give us $5,000. Drawn on five different bank accounts in five different names and if it’s not too much trouble, sent in five different envelopes. Call us and we’ll talk you through it.

If you don’t participate in the political process, someone else will. If you don’t exercise your freedom of speech, someone else will. If you don’t give us money, we’re going to have to rent ANOTHER MAILING LIST.

If you don’t give us money, those people who want publicly financed campaigns will win. And then where will we be?

Don’t wait until you change your mind. Take out your checkbook now. And before you fill in an amount, remember -- This your country.