The correct answer, as of June 28, 2007 at 7:55 p.m., is 252. That's all it would take.

 

Here's why:

 

I'm running for Mayor of Los Angeles, right now. My platform includes repealing Special Order 40. People have contributed over $24,000 to my campaign so far. To qualify for matching funds and get a guaranteed spot in the televised mayoral debates, I need to raise another $126,000, through donations of $500 or less.

 

If just 252 people, out of the millions who live in Southern California, contribute $500 each, I'll be in the televised debates, and I'll receive an extra $150,000 in matching funds. That's all it would take: 252 people. That's more than 46 Senators, sure, but really not that many people to save America's second-largest city.

 

If you get me in those televised debates, your fellow American citizens -- CITIZENS -- will rally to elect me to repeal Special Order 40, just as they rallied to kill amnesty in the Senate. This is the second-largest city in America. Ending amnesty here appeals not just to those of us citizens who still live here, but to American citizens all over the country who want to protect our national sovereignty. If you get me the "admission ticket" to the debate, I'll get the funds I need to fight the special interests backing Villaraigosa and Special Order 40.

 

So if you were glad the Senate killed amnesty, how about following through with a contribution to stop amnesty here in L.A.? You don't have to contribute $500 to make a difference. You can contribute, say, $450, and get a friend to contribute another $50.