The aim is to create total honesty and transparency in government. Posting the Finances will open up California's government in ways that have never been seen before, and shine a light on many a murky financial corner.

Financing a ballot initiative is far beyond my modest means. Politics, as you know, is all about money. In my recent run for mayor of Carson, California, my main opponent outspent me by $100,000 and won the election.

I have approached many influential people, Democrats and Republicans, who are in a position to finance this initiative. So far I have had no success, although encouraging words have been plentiful.

Since the deadline for gathering signatures has expired, I am converting this initiative into a California Constitutional Amendment. Approximately 600,000 signatures are required to get the Amendment on the ballot. Using professional signature-gatherers, the cost works out at about $1.00-2.00 per signature.

As I am sure you know, California’s finances are in a crisis. Governor Schwarzenegger has taken some short-term measures to address the situation, but a more revolutionary, long-term approach is needed, something that will institutionalize a new standard of honesty and transparency in government. I believe that Post the Finances is such a measure, and that it is only a matter of time before it becomes standard practice at state and federal level. But it needs a big initial push to get it moving.

I am appealing to you for your public support and for financial support. I am sure you will appreciate the wider importance of what I am trying to accomplish. It is not only California that is facing huge budget deficits. The federal government is now running a deficit that is likely to be with us for a long time. I remember that the issue of runaway budget deficits was what inspired your own run for the presidency in 1992 and again in 1996. It seems that this issue will not go away, and the problems faced by California today will be those of the nation tomorrow, unless we take action.

Post the Finances will go a long way to alleviating this pressing problem. I firmly believe it will help to create a better, more stable future for our children and grandchildren. When I look into the eyes of my 1 1/2 year old daughter, I am inspired to redouble my efforts to push this proposal through, for the benefit of her and all the other children of America.

Mr. Perot, I know you are a man who appreciates tangible, structural reform, not the glib words of politicians. That’s why I voted for you in 1992 and 1996, and I think I must have had you in the back of my mind when I came up with the slogan "The Real Reformer for Real Change" for my recent mayoral bid. Will you join with me in this great enterprise of restoring fiscal sanity to California as well as the nation? Time is of the essence if this proposal is to make the November 2004 ballot.

I would very much appreciate an appointment to discuss this proposal with you, either by telephone or in person. I will call your secretary in a week to set this up.

I am of course also available at any time to answer any questions you may have or to supply more information about Post the Finances. Please feel free to contact me.

Respectfully,

Steve Mozena

Also, as in 1992, there will be a third candidate in the race, but unlike Ross Perot, who took votes equally from Bush and Clinton, Ralph Nader will eat into your vote in states that are very evenly poised.

It’s going to be tough.

Here are some steps you might take that I believe would enable you to win the election.

Paint a strong contrast with the secrecy of the Bush administration, which is the most self-enclosed, "circle-the-wagons" administration since Nixon. You need to expose the phony budgets of this administration, the way it manipulates figures with intent to deceive. We urgently need an open government, the likes of which has never been seen in America.

Here’s how.

First, be revolutionary. Promise to issue an executive order that will mandate the daily posting to the Internet of the finances of all U.S. government departments and agencies, especially the I.R.S. This would be in the form of a simple checkbook register. Since all governmental accounting is in electronic format and all departments and agencies have web sites, it would be easy to upload the information on daily basis to the respective web sites. See www.postthefinances.com.

The contrast with the Bush administration would be apparent to everyone, at
a stroke. They want to keep financial information hidden. Show that you want it made available to the American public. Show you really want to be honest.

What’s it worth to you?

How about 5 percent in the polls? That’s enough to give you a comfortable margin in the Electoral College.

Next, take up where Al Gore left off, with his "Reinventing Government" initiative in the first Clinton term. Promise to cut spending not by slashing domestic programs that help people, as the Bush budget proposes, but by streamlining and consolidating government agencies and departments. Slogan: More value for less money.

The truth, as you well know, is that government under George W. Bush has got bigger, not smaller.

Isn’t that ironic, considering it was Bill Clinton who declared that the era of big government was over?

Make hay with this point.

Tell the American people that less is better, and then do it. Don’t allow the Bush crowd to stereotype you as a big-spending liberal.

Next, on homeland security. Here’s one thing you can do, and it doesn’t take more than a sound bite to explain it.

Put photographs and fingerprints on Social Security cards, as a step toward a national ID for all citizens. People are more ready to accept a measure like this than your strategists may tell you. No one likes to feel insecure in their own country, but many Americans do today.

This simple, practical measure will help.

Next, everyone knows that there were clues to 9-11 before it happened, but that federal agencies did not cooperate sufficiently with each other to be able to read the warning signs.

The solution is simple.

Ensure that all relevant criminal computer databases are connected with each other, from federal to local level. Federal agencies from the FBI down must cooperate not compete. End turf battles that benefit only criminals and the enemies of America. Appoint a head of Homeland Security with real powers over recalcitrant agencies.

Another campaign emphasis should be the question,

Who runs America?

Again, be really bold in challenging the rock-solid connections, via campaign contributions, of the Bush administration to major industries, including of course Big Oil. Slogan: follow the money, and see who really pulls the levers in the Bush administration.

Repeat it and then repeat it again until the voters get it.

It is time to put the general welfare above corporate welfare.

And don’t forget to shine a laser light on the connections between our government and the backward, undemocratic Saudi regime. Remind the American people that most of the 9-11 hijackers were Saudi citizens, not one of them was an Iraqi.

If we are going to pre-emptively attack another country, let’s make sure next time it’s the right one.

That’s the bare bones of a recipe for unseating a popular incumbent.

Behind the genial smile, Bush is vulnerable. He knows it, and his advisers know it.

It’s up to you to exploit it.

Be really bold, not timid.

Do you want to be remembered as the junior senator from Massachusetts or the man whose vision and leadership steered America back to the path of peace and prosperity for all?

Respectfully,

Steve Mozena

Dear Mr. Al Bru, Chairman of Frito-Lay:

Fritos, Doritos, Tostitos, Cheetos! I love them all. I also love the recent Frito-Lay innovations, a range of products for the Latino market and the ever-growing spicy Southwestern taste of all Americans: Southwestern-style chips from old Fritos and Doritos to the new Doritos Guacamole and Doritos Salsa Chips, with the assortment of chile spices, although I think my innovative ideas would garner even more of a market share and profit for the Frito Lay.

I have a suggestion that would enable you to make big inroads into a largely untapped market. I’m referring to the growing Asian population in America, and Americans’ love of Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisines.

How about some fish-flavored chips from Frito-Lay?

To my knowledge, no fish-flavored chips are offered nationally by Frito-Lay, and yet the market is there for them. My wife is Asian and loves seafood; I am Caucasian and love chips. The marriage of chips and seafood would be irresistible to both of us, and many thousands, indeed millions, like us.

So here are just a few of my suggestions on the fish chips with an American twist. The names of the products could all end with "ito," which would supply the Frito-Lay name recognition.

• "Crabito," Crab-flavored chips with the Japanese spice, Wasabi.
• "Shrimpito," Shrimp-flavored chips enhanced by the spiciness of shrimp cocktail sauce. I also have a suggestion that would appeal not only to the Latino-American population but to all the American market:
• "Churrito," A triangular tortilla chip. After it has been deep-fried, sprinkle it with lots of sugar and cinnamon. This would be similar to the Churros sold at theme parks, parades and other similar events.

I’m sure these new products would help Frito-Lay's bottomline and secure the lifetime loyalty of many thousands of Asian-Americans, and other Americans, as well as new immigrants, especially from Asia, who are arriving in our country every day.

In fact, I can’t wait to bite into them myself just "for the fun of it".

Sincerely,

Steve Mozena

I see that Mayor Hahn, in his upcoming bid for re-election as Mayor of Los Angeles, is talking about fiscal transparency and finance reform.

But will this go any further than talk?

With my Post the Finances proposal, I have given the keys of the car to any city, state or even the federal government, but not one politician has so far shown enough intestinal fortitude, foresight and initiative to turn those keys. See www.ifiwereprez.com.

Unfortunately, most of today's politicians are Internet neophytes. They are not savvy about computer information technology, and nor are most senior voters. This makes it difficult for them to appreciate the extent to which today’s technology can help to bring fiscal honesty to government.

But as the younger portion of the electorate, who are in general more computer savvy than their elders, matures and votes, Web posting of the finances will become a reality. People will demand it of their representatives, and all government finances will be posted daily so that they are accessible to the public.

When this web posting program is instituted, we will not only be able to ensure honesty for the future, we will be able to go back and dig out all the corruption that has taken place in the past.

There will be no more room for scare tactics by unscrupulous politicians who claim that there is not enough money for important social programs, or, for emergency services.

We will be able to look and see for ourselves what the financial situation is.

We will be able to manage our own government.

Will Carson’s Mayor Dear, L.A.’s Mayor Hahn, Governor Schwarzenegger or even President Bush or Senator Kerry support posting the finances to the web for fiscal honesty and accountability?

I think it’s unlikely, because the idea is still too new for them, and they don’t have the computer savvy to realize how important it is.

But I'll take a wait and see approach.

Maybe one of them will surprise us all and become a real political reformer.

Sincerely,

Steve Mozena

Dear Editor:

Tax day, April 15th, is over. But the threat of the I.R.S. still hangs in the air.

We need to audit the I.R.S.

The current tax code, and the way the I.R.S. behaves, do not encourage people to be honest. In fact, the reverse is true.

I know an African-American man who is scared to get a job that pays him above the table because he thinks most of his wages will be garnished by the I.R.S. He fears he will never be able to get ahead.

I know Persian-Americans who felt they had no option but to evade the attentions of the I.R.S., which was not only trying to enforce an antiquated and unfair tax code but was employing illegal bullying tactics to do so.

I know Vietnamese-Americans who set up a restaurant but called it a Christian Club until it could be fully established. Because of the tax code, this was the only way they could afford to get their business off the ground.

And of course, everyone knows about how large corporations exploit every loophole they possibly can to avoid, at times evade, paying their fair share of taxes. Just last week, a report issued by the government’s General Accounting Office showed that almost two-thirds of American companies paid no taxes between 1996 and 2000, even as corporate profits reached record levels.

Simply put, I blame the convoluted and confusing tax code even many CPAs and Tax Attorneys don't understand that allows them to get away with it.

What’s the solution?

First, an amnesty for all Americans who are not in good standing with the I.R.S.

Second, throw away the entire tax code and set up a flat tax and a national, round-numbered only sales tax. Eliminate all loopholes.

Keep it clear and simple.

Third, audit the I.R.S. by posting all the government finances to the Web on a daily basis. This will enable all citizens to see where all government money, OUR money, that is, comes from and where it goes.

In this coming election season, we need a leader who will take charge of these issues and ensure fairness for all tax-paying Americans.

Sincerely,

Steve Mozena

Dear Editor:

Like millions of other Americans, I enjoy eating at McDonald’s, and I applaud the company for introducing the Happy Meal for Adults nationwide next month. This is a positive step that shows McDonald’s is responding to public pressure to create more healthful food.

I have been noting positive change at McDonald’s for some months. Bottled water is now available, and my wife and I recently purchased at McDonald’s a fruit salad with sliced apples, grapes and a container of yogurt. This is a refreshing change.

We need more of these types of fruit dishes, please! Get creative with it. 

There is no time to lose. Like many ordinary Americans today, I am concerned about the steadily rising obesity in this country, including my own, much of which is due to unhealthy diet, as well as lack of exercise.

According to the surgeon general, the social cost of obesity is about $117 billion a year. And the Center for Disease Control and Prevention says that obesity could overtake smoking next year as the leading cause of preventable death.

I know that many of the other big fast-food chains, as well as McDonald’s, are trying to adapt to public concern over the nation’s eating habits. Smaller portions and low-fat alternatives are positive steps, and if they taste good people will buy them.

I have a suggestion for McDonald’s that will take this trend further. 

Why not create "McFlowers," a combination of warm or cold broccoli and cauliflower in a McNugget-size box, available with a salt package, and a dipping sauce, if desired, of ranch, dill or cheese sauce. Or "McSticks," a combination of celery and carrots with a ranch or dill dipping sauce in a fry-size bag.

These items would be a big hit with consumers. It would put McDonald’s way ahead of the curve as far as emerging trends are concerned. People want to start eating better, but when one has a busy schedule, or if one is on the road, it’s not easy to find healthful food.

I’m not suggesting that McDonald's, that great American institution, turns itself into a health-food restaurant frequented by vegetarians, but I do believe there is an urgent social need that McDonald’s has a responsibility to address. Addressing the issue in a bold way would also be good for corporate profits, since it’s always better to be ahead of a trend than behind it.

Meanwhile, I’ll look out for "McFlowers" and "McSticks" at my local McDonald’s. If McDonald’s doesn’t do it, you can bet one of the other major hamburger chains like Burger King, Wendy's, or Jack in Box will. 

Sincerely,

Steve Mozena