Okay, if you aren't convinced by now that red-light cameras are nothing more than another city revenue mechanism, you either (a) haven't bothered with the facts and are relying upon your emotions, (b) are a social conservative and want to monitor the activities of other people, or (c) work for American Traffic Solutions. And if you work for ATS, chances are you make a pretty decent salary because they must be making money hand over fist. They have to be to fork over $1,647,000 dollars since July to the mis-named "Keep Houston Safe" PAC. That's right - $1.65 MILLION dollars designed to trick you into letting the cash keep rolling their way.

Even I was surprised at the amount ATS is investing in the Prop 3 race. Here is the campaign finance overview:

How about that? ATS forked over a cool $1.5 million after the last reporting period.

If you like to scroll through the details, I combined the four reports from the two groups involved: pro-Prop 3 Keep Houston Safe and anti-Prop 3 Citizens Against Red Light Cameras:

Attorney Paul Kubosh financed 99.8% of CARLC.

Sometimes, you find interesting stuff in campaign finance reports. For instance, this entry on the Keep Houston Safe 8 Day Out Report:

$25,000 9/30/2010 Gary Polland 2211 Norfolk Street, Suite 920, Houston, TX 77098 Legal Services

Huh. Why, that would be the same Gary Polland and the same address as the Texas Conservative Review endorsement suggesting that you vote FOR Prop 3. Surprise, surprise, surprise!

But wait. There's more! Lookie at these two entries on the Keep Houston Safe 8 Day Out Report:

$977.50 10/13/2010 The What's Up Program 12337 Jones Road, Suite 450 Houston TX 77070 Radio ads

$10,000.00 10/13/2010 The What's Up Program 12337 Jones Road, Suite 450 Houston TX 77070 Print ad

Why, I declare! There's my little buddy Terry Lowry! But wait! There's more! Lookie here! This one is from the CARLC 8 Day Out Report:

$3,447.50 10/13/2010 The What's Up Program Houston TX 77070 Radio Program

I'll be. Looks like my little buddy took money from both sides! Lemme see....yeppers, I bet I know who got the "coveted" Link Letter endorsement!

Keep Houston Safe money sent to What's Up: $ 10,977.50

CARLC money sent to What's Up: $ 3,447.50

Now, let's go take another looksie at the Link Letter: why, I declare! Little buddy done went and endorsed the one that gave him the most change! Surprise, surprise, surprise!

Sigh.

Only you have the power to overcome greed. Only you.

Go vote. Vote against special interests. Vote NO on Prop 3.