The Yes on Measure 90 campaign, to switch Oregon elections to “top-two primaries,” was paid for by two out of state billionaires.

John Arnold of Texas, a retired hedge fund manager who specialized in natural gas trading, donated $1.5 million. Michael Bloomberg, former mayor of New York (read Wall Street) kicked in $1.25 million. That’s $2.75 million out of the $2.8 million total. Some Oregon corporations with an interest in reshaping Oregon’s elections contributed token amounts.

Under the proposed election system, the two best-financed candidates would most likely win in the primary and advance to the general election. Only those two candidates would be on the general election ballot.

That would make the political desires of Oregon voters all but irrelevant. Candidates for certain politically crucial offices would be selected on the basis of their usefulness and subservience to interest outside the state, and their election campaigns would be funded lavishly. Forbes magazine recently announced there are 513 American billionaires. That’s an oligarchy with limitless riches.

Another benefit to the financial elite is that this system will discourage people from thinking too much. It is never good for an oligarchy when people start discussing alternatives like getting money out of politics, renewable energy, preserving natural habitat, or single payer health care.

Shrinking the choice of candidates and narrowing the range of political discussion is moving in the direction of silencing Oregon voices.

Don’t let out of state billionaires pick our candidates. Vote NO on Measure 90.