Gino Pazzaglini: Big money free speech

Regarding the May 21 news article “Donor withholds $25,000 from GOP”: N&O editors must have choked when deciding to run on the front page Bob Luddy’s blatant effort to shape public policy (North Carolina budget) with his $25,000 lollipop.

If online data are correct, Luddy could not get elected to a school board seat in 1997 and now is proudly influencing significant policy decisions such as public education and state tax regulations.

I applaud him as a self-made, successful entrepreneur who cares about government and puts his ample money where his heart is. And there are plenty of others just like him on both sides of the political aisle.

My worry comes from this very public reminder that non-elected individuals with money can so openly affect public policy decisions affecting me, my family and my community (especially those who are voiceless).

Honoring our American freedom, I try never to miss voting in elections, but my vote seems to be getting overshadowed by the “free speech” of big money.

This story was originally published May 24, 2015 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Gino Pazzaglini: Big money free speech."