RE "Campaign-finance doldrums" (Editorial, July 25): Supporters of Governor Deval Patrick who contribute to the Seventy-First Fund are responding to Massachusetts' laughably low contribution limits. Contribution limits of $500 are nearly five times lower than the federal limits, and are barely higher than Vermont's old contribution limits, which were found to be unconstitutionally low by the US Supreme Court.
If the Legislature wants to reform the campaign finance system, it should look to Virginia and Utah as models of states with campaign finance laws that ensure a robust democracy. Both have no limits on how much an individual can contribute to a candidate and, lest so-called good-government groups begin to worry, both Virginia and Utah were graded at the top of the Pew Center on the States' report card on the best-governed states in the nation.
When individuals contribute to political campaigns, they are driven primarily by ideology. Low contribution limits hinder the ability of citizens to support candidates in whom they believe. Massachusetts should embrace true reform and embrace a campaign finance system based on First Amendment principles.
MIKE SCHRIMPF
Communications director
Center for Competitive Politics
Alexandria, Va.
