Sten Deserves Praise
The greatest threat to our democratic process is campaign financing, according to Common Cause. The Oregonian should credit City Commissioner Erik Sten's leadership on campaign financing reform, not bash him as it did in its April 14 edition.
Taxpayer-funded campaign abuses are regrettable, but minuscule in comparison to special-interest financing abuses. Nationally, Jack Abramoff symbolizes astonishing abuses, yet reform legislation has proven impotent due to the special interest-monies assembled against meaningful reform.
Blaming Sten for campaign financing abuses demeans a multi-term city commissioner who has proven himself by hard work, honesty and, yes, mistakes. Sten's re-election campaign would have been a lot easier for him had he not assisted opposing candidates with public financing resources.
Sten should be credited for campaign reform instead of having his character assassinated.
Gordon Dickey
Wilsonville
