A little over a month ago, I had the pleasure of talking with you on a radio talk show hosted by former mayor Richard Riordan, on Los Angeles' KABC AM 790 talk radio. I was honored to be on the air with two such fiscal giants of Los Angeles.

I mentioned at the time a ballot initiative I was promoting, called Post the Finances, which calls for every government agency in California to post its finances to the Internet every day. You commented that you were all in favor of fiscal transparency.

I would now like to inform you that Post the Finances, which is officially named "State Revenue and Expenditures. Initiative Statute.," has just entered the signature gathering phase. For the initiative to be placed on the November 2004 ballot, 373,816 signatures are needed by March 4, 2004.

I believe posting state government finances to the Internet will produce a dramatic reduction in waste, fraud and mismanagement. It will provide an unprecedented opportunity for citizens to oversee the finances of their own government, and I believe it will permanently change how political and government business is done in California.

Even if Post the Finances results in savings of only 1 percent, this would amount to nearly a billion dollars, California's 2003-04 budget is $98.9 billion.

You can find more details about the initiative on the web site, www.postthefinances.com.

Mr. Broad, I am aware that you have a deep commitment, on many different levels, to the welfare of the community, and I am appealing to you for your support for this bi-partisan initiative. At the moment I am in need of financial contributions. If you would be willing to offer any help in that area, I would be enormously grateful. Shortly, if not by the time you receive this letter, I will be able to accept contributions online.

Also, any referrals you would be willing to give me about others who might be interested in contributing would be greatly appreciated. I am also in need of volunteers for gathering signatures.

I thank you in advance for any help you can give.

Sincerely,

I have long admired your dedication to the cause of the modern conservative movement in this country. I am writing to inform you of an important development in Californian politics in which I am directly involved and which I feel is very much in line with the principles you espouse. I am also appealing to you for help.

I am the proponent of a California ballot initiative currently in the signature-gathering phase. It is officially called "State Revenue and Expenditures. Initiative Statute," and known informally as "Post the Finances." It calls for every government agency in California to post its finances to the Internet every day.

For the initiative to be placed on the November 2004 ballot, 373,816 signatures are needed by March 4.

As I am sure you are aware, the state of California is currently in a severe budget crisis, with a deficit currently estimated at $24 billion. A report published in September by Citizens Against Government Waste and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Foundation documented massive government waste and fraud in California that contributes to this deficit. Incoming Governor Schwarzenegger has made some positive moves to address the problem, but so much more needs to be done.

I believe posting state government finances to the Internet will reduce much of this waste, fraud and mismanagement. It will give citizens an opportunity to oversee the finances of their own government. I am sure you will agree that corruption thrives on secrecy, whereas openness and accountability encourage financial honesty and integrity. I'm certain that Post the Finances will encourage California to reform its bloated, over-spending government.

Even if Post the Finances results in savings of only 1 percent, this would amount to nearly a billion dollars, California's 2003-04 budget is $98.9 billion. This would be five times the $200 million estimated initial cost of implementing the measure.

I am attaching the California Attorney General's summary of the Post the Finances initiative, as well as the full text. More details can be found on the web site, www.postthefinances.com.

Initially I approached all the political leaders in California about posting the finances, but was rebuffed on every occasion. It seems that entrenched political and financial interests will resist any change that appears to threaten their privileged positions. I was therefore inspired to bypass the politicians and go direct to the people through a ballot initiative.

Eventually I would like to see Post the Finances adopted by every city, county, and state in the United States, as well as the federal government.

I see it as part of our tradition of open democracy, updated to the twenty-first century through the opportunities created by the development of information technology.

However, promoting a ballot initiative in California is an expensive undertaking. The world, as we both know, turns on money. A businessman of modest means such as myself cannot hope to finance a successful initiative out of his own pocket. This is why I am appealing to you for help.

My goal is to raise $1 million by the beginning of 2004. In order to ensure that I get the nearly 400,000 valid signatures, I must collect about 500,000. Hiring paid signature gatherers works out at about $2.00 per signature.

There are no financial limits on contributions to this initiative.
Contributors do not have to be residents of California.

May I be so bold as to ask you to contribute generously to this initiative?

I believe this initiative will permanently change the political landscape of America, and I also believe it is right in line with the conservative principles you have spent your entire life promoting.

I thank you in advance for your help. It will be deeply appreciated.

Of course, I am available to answer any questions you may have.
Additionally, 69-year-old Conservative Political Strategist Bob Winford, who has worked on over 600 campaigns, can answer any questions you may have as well. He is a great friend who has help further this cause in many ways, in fact, he attended Governor Schwarzenegger's Inauguration with me.

I have long admired your philanthropic activities and your continual support for the development of democratic, open societies. I am writing to inform you of an important development in Californian politics in which I am directly involved and which I feel is very much in line with the principles you espouse.

I am also appealing to you for help.

I am the proponent of a California ballot initiative currently in the signature-gathering phase. It is officially called "State Revenue and Expenditures. Initiative Statute," and known informally as "Post the Finances." It calls for every government agency in California to post its finances to the Internet every day. For the initiative to be placed on the November 2004 ballot, 373,816 signatures are needed by March 4.

As I am sure you are aware, the state of California is currently in a severe budget crisis, with a deficit of $38 billion. A report published in September by Citizens Against Government Waste and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Foundation documented massive government waste and fraud in California that contributes to this deficit. I believe posting state government finances to the Internet will reduce much of this waste, fraud and mismanagement. It will give citizens an opportunity to oversee the finances of their own government.

I am sure you will agree that corruption thrives on secrecy, whereas openness and accountability encourage financial honesty and integrity.

Even if Post the Finances results in savings of only 1 percent, this would amount to nearly a billion dollars, California's 2003/04 budget is $98.9 billion. This would be five times the $200 million estimated initial cost of implementing the measure.

I am attaching the California Attorney General's summary of the Post the Finances initiative, as well as the full text, which is also on my site. See www.postthefinances.com/cainitiative.html Also, more details can be found on the website, www.postthefinances.com.

Initially, I approached all the political leaders in California about posting the finances, but was rebuffed on every occasion. It seems that entrenched political and financial interests will resist any change that appears to threaten their privileged positions. I was therefore inspired to bypass the politicians and go direct to the people through a ballot initiative.

Eventually I would like to see Post the Finances adopted by every city, county, and state in the United States, as well as the federal government. I see it as part of our tradition of open democracy, updated to the twenty-first century through the opportunities created by the development of information technology.

However, promoting a ballot initiative in California is an expensive undertaking. The world, as we both know, turns on money. A businessman of modest means such as myself cannot hope to finance a successful initiative out of his own pocket. This is why I am appealing to you for help. My goal is to raise $1 million by the end of the year. In order to ensure that I get the nearly 400,000 valid signatures, I must collect about 500,000. Hiring paid signature gatherers works out at about $2.00 per signature. There are no financial limits on contributions to this initiative. Contributors do not have to be residents of California.

May I be so bold as to ask you to contribute the million dollars that would entirely fund this initiative?

I believe this initiative will permanently change the political landscape of America, and I also believe it is right in line with the principles you have spent your entire life promoting.

I thank you in advance for your help. It will be deeply appreciated.

Of course, I am available at any time to answer any questions you may have. You may contact me on my cell.

Sincerely,

There's a Rocky in all of us. Right now, I feel like Rocky. I too am pursuing a dream, and like Rocky, I'm getting battered. But also like Rocky, I'm trying to stay in the ring and keep fighting, hoping that I can triumph in the end. 

The battle I'm involved in is a different kind of fight than a boxing match, but it's no less important to me, or, as I'll explain later, to the people of California, my home state. 

But first let me jog your memory about who I am. I once had the good fortune to meet with you in person. It was at one of Elton John's Oscar parties; I believe it was at a place called the Maple Leaf. We were in a small room together. Elton was off to the side discussing the party with his staff, and your wife Jennifer had just left to make a phone call. 

I was surprised to find myself with a chance to talk to you one-on-one, and I think we chatted for about twenty minutes, on a variety of subjects, including the Rocky movies. You told me that the secret of the their success lay in the fact that it encompassed two key themes: love and redemption. 

Another thing we talked about was my vision for revitalizing the city of Hollywood, specifically between La Brea and Vine Streets, along Hollywood Boulevard. When I came to the area in 1990 it was such a dump there. I made an artistic rendering of my vision as well as writing some text. It would have had a theme park atmosphere. During that time, MTA was constructing its new underground transit subway system, which caused a partial collapse of Hollywood Boulevard.

You joked that it looked as if the revitalization had already begun. We laughed.

You were very friendly to me, and told me I was "an ambitious young man." 

I have always appreciated those words. At the time, I was ambitious for success as an entertainer. I wanted to make people happy. I am still ambitious, but what I really want to do now is to serve the public in the best way I know. It's just another way of making people happy. 

And that's why I'm writing you this letter. My effort to help the people of California is focused on getting our state out of its current financial crisis. To this end, I am promoting a ballot initiative which I believe can make a significant contribution to solving the problem. 

The initiative, officially called "State Revenue and Expenditures. Initiative Statute," is known informally as Post the Finances. It calls for every government agency in California to post its finances to the Internet every day. 

For the initiative to be placed on the November 2004 ballot, 373,816 signatures are needed by March 4. 

I believe posting state government finances to the Internet will reduce waste, fraud and mismanagement. It will give citizens an opportunity to oversee the finances of their own government, and will permanently change how political and government business is done in California. 

Imagine it: Even if Post the Finances results in savings of only 1 percent, this would amount to nearly a billion dollars, California's 2003-04 budget is $98.9 billion. This would be five times the $200 million estimated initial cost of implementing the measure. 

You can find more details about this bi-partisan initiative on the web site, www.postthefinances.com

I've had a long fight to get this initiative to this stage. The political leadership of our state has not been responsive, although I hope Governor Schwarzenegger will lend his support. Sometimes I feel like Rocky, trying to survive to the final round and wrestle a victory, for the people of California, out of the jaws of defeat. 

My belief is that if we don't fight for what's right, then the bad people win. Greed, corruption, waste, fraud-they will all continue just as before. I'm stepping into the ring, like Rocky, to score a victory over the system that makes dishonesty possible, and replace it with a new way of doing things that encourages honesty and integrity. Like Rocky, I believe in love and redemption, and this is my way of trying to redeem the state of California that I love. 

At the moment I am much in need of financial contributions. It takes large amounts of money to gather all these signatures-about a million bucks, in fact. I could sure use your contribution. I could use contributions from your thousands of fans too. 

I well remember that scene in the first Rocky movie, when Gazzo meets with Rocky and donates $500 to his cause for training expenses. Gazzo says, "Ya know, you ain't never had any luck. But I think this time Lady Luck may be in your corner. Whaddya think?" 

I'm hoping that Lady Luck is in my corner too. 

There are no limits on contributions to Post the Finances, you don't have to be a California resident, and I can accept contributions online. 

As any fighter knows, no matter how tough the fight, one good punch can still win the day. That's what I'm in this for. My one good punch is Post the Finances. I believe it's a punch that will knock out what is wrong with our state government today, and I would really appreciate your support. 

I will always remember that triumphant fanfare, "Gonna Fly," that blares out at the beginning of Rocky I, as the word ROCKY moves across the screen in huge letters. It topped the billboard charts in 1977. As I hear that theme song in my mind, I see those letters also forming the words POST THE FINANCES. I know this initiative is gonna fly! 

All it needs is your support.  

Sincerely,

But first, let me remind you of who I am and how special our encounter was to me. My wife, 28, and I, 43, are lifelong fans of yours. In March of 2002, we attended one of your concerts in Anaheim, California, at "The Grove". The local Los Angeles radio station had invited listeners to email a question or request that they would forward to you.

I emailed in my request, but I never expected that you would actually read the email aloud on stage along with your closing number. You read out the story about what I did when I was a teenager in Portland, Oregon, in the 1970s. I placed a speaker and microphone in the window of my second-story bedroom and sang my favorite song—and your breakout song—"I Write the Songs," for the passers-by on the sidewalk below. This was my early version of karaoke singing, but I got some strange looks! You were amused and seem delighted at the story.

You also lifted my joke from my email that I was probably one of the few men who would publicly admit he likes Barry Manilow's music. You chuckled at that.

Then you mentioned I was married a year ago, and my wife was pregnant. You read from my email where we said that if the baby were a boy we would name it Barry. Well, we now have a daughter, but I think you might like the name we chose for her. You might even be inspired to write a song about her!

Finally, you mentioned that I had written a litany of your songs I like, and my favorite was still "I Write the Songs". Then you dedicated that song to us, and just before you sang it, you asked, "Are Steve and Lucille out there?" You made us feel so special that night, as the searchlight found us in the audience.

Later, you sent us an autographed photo.

The reason I am writing to you now is to appeal for your help. I have become involved in California politics. As you probably know, California is at the moment mired in huge deficits. It’s going to be hard for our new governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, to dig us out of the mess. However, I am the proponent of a ballot initiative which I believe can make a significant contribution to solving the problem.

The initiative, officially called "State Revenue and Expenditures. Initiative Statute," is known informally as Post the Finances. It calls for every government agency in California to post its finances to the Internet every day.

For the initiative to be placed on the November 2004 ballot, 373,816 signatures are needed by March 4.

I believe posting state government finances to the Internet will reduce waste, fraud and mismanagement. It will give citizens an opportunity to oversee the finances of their own government, and will permanently change how political and government business is done in California.

Imagine it: Even if Post the Finances results in savings of only 1 percent, this would amount to nearly a billion dollars, California’s 2003-04 budget is $98.9 billion. This would be five times the $200 million estimated initial cost of implementing the measure.

You can find more details about this bi-partisan initiative on the web site, www.postthefinances.com.

At the moment I am in need of financial contributions. It takes large amounts of money to gather all these signatures—about a million bucks, in fact. I could sure use your contribution, if you feel so inclined.

I know that you generally have a New Year’s concert here in Los Angeles. If you could donate some of the proceeds of that concert to this initiative, that would be great!

Indeed, maybe you would consider putting on a concert solely for the purpose of getting contributions for the initiative.

There are no limits on contributions, you don’t have to be a California resident, and I can accept contributions online.

Finally, though we have never met in person, you made us feel like a member of the family with the dedications you made to us at your show.

Barry, I thank you in advance for any help you can give. It will be deeply appreciated.

Sincerely,

To that end I am the proponent of an ongoing ballot initiative officially named "State Revenue and Expenditures. Initiative Statute.," and known informally as "Post the Finances." It calls for every government agency in California to post its finances to the Internet every day.

I am currently gathering signatures and contributions to have the initiative placed on the November 2004 ballot.

I’m certain that posting state government finances to the Internet will reduce waste, fraud and mismanagement. It will give citizens the chance to oversee the finances of their own government, and will permanently change how political and government business is done in California.

Everyone will benefit.

Governor-elect Schwarzenegger has taken a step in the right direction by promising an audit of all the government books, but my initiative goes further than that.

It will be like an on-demand people’s audit of the state’s finances every single day. You can find more details about this bi-partisan initiative on the Web site, www.postthefinances.com

I am a former journalist, and you and I have met a couple of times. The first was when a friend of mine, a Russian freelance journalist, was writing a story about American journalism. We came into the NBC4 newsroom and you were kind enough to chat with us for a few minutes. Then in 2001 we spoke on the telephone about my run for LA mayor. Some while after that we met in an elevator at the Santa Monica courthouse where we joked about how you were an objective journalist and now needed to be an objective juror.

Mr. Moyer, I hope you’ll agree that "Post the Finances" is a timely, newsworthy contribution to the ongoing investigation of California state finances. I hope you will be able to briefly mention the initiative on your news report.

I think your viewers would be interested to hear about it.

Perhaps it might also be possible to display it on the visual billboard at the end of your report, with contact information of "Post the Finances" with the website www.postthefinances.com and the telephone number, 310-518-4447?

I can be reached on my cell for more details.

I would like to inform you of a California ballot initiative currently in circulation and which I am promoting. Officially called "State Revenue and Expenditures. Initiative Statute," and popularly known as "Post the Finances," it would require every government agency in California to post its finances to the Internet every day.

For the initiative to be placed on the November 2004 ballot, 373,816 signatures are needed by March 4.

I believe posting state government finances to the Internet will reduce waste, fraud and mismanagement. It will promote fiscal honesty in government and give California residents an unprecedented opportunity to oversee the finances of their own government. I believe this initiative, if passed, will permanently change how political and government business is done in California.

Even if Post the Finances results in savings of only 1 percent, this would amount to nearly a billion dollars, California’s 2003-04 budget is $98.9 billion. This would be five times the $200 million estimated initial cost of implementing the measure.

You can find more details about the initiative on the web site: www.postthefinances.com.

Mr. Macarro, I am aware of the leading position you have occupied for many years in the Native American community, and the respect in which you are held by people on all points of the political spectrum. I have myself been a supporter of Native American rights and investment opportunities whenever I have been in a position to do so. When I lived in Venice Beach, California in the late 1990's, for example, I suggested to the Los Angeles city council that they consider a land swap with Native Americans, granting them the right to build a casino on the site of a dilapidated building on the beach adjacent to the ocean, which would otherwise have been torn down, a precedent for this kind of land swap had recently occurred in Oregon. And, in 2001, I alerted you and all the other Native American leaders in California about the sale of the Maxim, a former casino in Las Vegas, which I thought would make an ideal site for a Native-American themed casino and hotel. Although recent Propositions had pitted Native Americans against the Las Vegas casinos, I believed that the two groups could be mutual beneficiaries rather than archrivals.

It is for all these reasons that I am appealing to you for your support for this bi-partisan initiative.

Because I am a private citizen without large financial resources, I am at the moment in need of financial contributions. If you would be willing to offer any help in that area, I would be enormously grateful, maybe you could help me coordinate a political fundraiser luncheon or dinner at your casino and hotel. Shortly, if not by the time you receive this letter, I will be able to accept contributions online, maybe you could help me coordinate a political fundraisers at a hotel.

Also, any referrals you would be willing to give me about others who might be interested in contributing would be greatly appreciated.

I thank you in advance for any help you can give.

Once again, I thank you and Carl for your invaluable support. I look forward to more contact with you in the future.

Sincerely,

A little over a month ago, I had the pleasure of speaking with you when you were a guest host on a talk show on Los Angeles' KABC AM 790 talk radio. You had Eli Broad with you on the air that evening. Then earlier this month, we met in person at Arnold Schwarzenegger’s victory party, where we were snapped in a photo by the elevator as you were leaving. We also, I am given to understand, are members of the same church with Monsignor Lloyd Torgerson of St. Monica's Catholic Church.

When we spoke together, I mentioned a ballot initiative I am promoting, called Post the Finances, which calls for every government agency in California to post its finances to the Internet every day.

I am pleased to inform you that Post the Finances, which is officially named "State Revenue and Expenditures. Initiative Statute," has just entered the signature-gathering phase. For the initiative to be placed on the November 2004 ballot, 373,816 signatures are needed by March 4.

I believe posting state government finances to the Internet will produce a dramatic reduction in waste, fraud and mismanagement. It will provide an unprecedented opportunity for citizens to oversee the finances of their own government, and I believe it will permanently change how political and government business is done in California.

Even if Post the Finances results in savings of only 1 percent, this would amount to nearly a billion dollars, as you no doubt are aware, California’s 2003/04 budget is $98.9 billion. This would be five times the $200 million estimated initial cost of implementing the measure. What a boost this would be for California, and for our new Governor!

You can find more details about the initiative on the web site: www.postthefinances.com.

Mr. Riordan, I am aware that you have a deep commitment, on many different levels, to the welfare of the community, as your term of office as Mayor of Los Angeles amply demonstrated. I am also aware of the role you are playing in governor-elect Schwarzenegger’s transition team, and I read in the LA Times that you will be taking up a permanent position in Sacramento once the new administration is installed.

It is because of your record of public service that I am appealing to you for your support for this bi-partisan initiative. At the moment I am in need of financial contributions. If you would be willing to offer any help in that area, I would be enormously grateful. Shortly, if not by the time you receive this letter, I will be able to accept contributions online.

Also, any referrals you would be willing to give me about others who might be interested in contributing would be greatly appreciated. I am also in need of volunteers for gathering signatures.

I thank you in advance for any help you can give.

Sincerely,