Steve Hochstadt, in his column of Jan. 15, “Big money translates into influence,” states a truism that goes well beyond the DeLay-Abramoff scandals. He rightfully praises Maine’s leadership in tightening campaign spending. His admonition that “We have much work to do in leading the nation out of the small morass our national political leaders have created” is a worthy challenge.

The next step might be to require that any political contribution over $1,000 be matched by an equal donation to a general fund that would be equally distributed to all candidates with an opposing position. Such a program would not only raise the level of debate, but would also level the playing field.

Taxing political donations, in cash or in kind, would reduce the burden on the average citizen for public support of elections, and might also reduce the influence of jet vacations and skyboxes for lobbying public officials.

I hope Hochstadt will promote this, and perhaps other solutions, to the lobbying sleaze, in future columns.

Bill Ellis, Rangeley