LETTERS: LET AMERICANS SPEND MONEY ON CANDIDATES

To the editor:

I recently read a column by U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan regarding campaign-finance reform.

Carnahan stated, "Last year's U.S. Senate race in Missouri shattered all previous records. The two opposing campaigns spent almost $18 million. This figure does not include spending by the state parties or outside interest groups. For $18 million, Missouri could have done any one of the following: built two new elementary schools, hired 500 new teachers, sent 3,800 students to the University of Missouri, provided day care to an additional 5,000 children, put 9,000 new computers into our schools." I beg to differ on several of her points.

Private money is just that: earned by the person who is spending it, And it should not be controlled. If the person wants to give it to his favorite candidate he should.

Private money does not belong to the federal or state government. Therefore, private money is never wasted so long as the individual who earned it is choosing how it is being spent.

So-called campaign-finance reform will help incumbents and hurt challengers. Those who wish to campaign against an incumbent will have to fight individuals who have the power and resources of their office to help them.

This country was formed as a republic. Each individual's rights are protected under the law.

The evil is not in the money being donated. The evil lies in the special favors that the candidates pay to those who give money to their campaign.

MARY NALL

Marble Hill, Mo.