Looking To A Higher Power On Public Financing

June 18, 2012 · by fair_admin

Gannett’s Politics on the Hudson

6/18/12

Joseph Spector

http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2012/06/18/looking-to-a-higher-power-on-public-financing/

Faith leaders from across the state are going to a higher power to push the state Legislature to adopt public financing of campaigns before the legislative session ends Thursday.

A few dozen religious leaders wrote a letter today to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state lawmakers:

“Our ancient traditions recognized the power of gifts to corrupt public officials and tip the scales of justice towards the wealthy and powerful. For example, the Torah prohibits judges from accepting gifts, for “gifts blind the eyes of the discerning and upset the plea of the just” (Deuteronomy 16:19). In the New Testament, Jesus teaches, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24). The Qur’an warns, “Do not usurp one another’s property by unjust means nor offer it to the judges so that you may devour knowingly and unjustly a portion of the good of others” (Surat Al?Baqarah, 2:188).”

Public financing has been pushed by Assembly Democrats, but hasn’t been backed by Senate Republicans. Cuomo has said he has wanted public financing, but hasn’t made it a top priority before session ends Thursday.
Faith Leaders on Public Financing