From: webmaster@mutualfundproxyvotes.com Sent: Sunday, October 27, 2002 5:08 PM To: rule-comments@sec.gov Subject: File No. S7-36-02 The following information was submitted from www.mutualfundproxyvotes.com on 10/27/02: Email submission: Dear SEC Secretary, I support the SEC's proposed rule to require mutual fund companies to disclose how they vote on corporate proxy resolutions; and, if anything, want the SEC to go for an even stronger rule. As an investor in both stocks and mutual funds I depend on the SEC to assure me the information which (in the final analysis) marks the difference between free markets and phony markets. Recent corporate scandals threaten our capitalism and surely prove corporate America's desperate need greater transparency, responsibility and accountability. I have read that mutual funds, which represent about 90 million Americans, account for 20 percent of proxy votes at corporate shareholder meetings. Those votes, scrupulously cast and disclosed to those of us who own the mutual funds, should guide investors and managements alike -- pushing for better accountability and insisting on more responsible behavior on the part of publicly traded companies. In the absence of public disclosure of proxy policies and proxy voting records, there is no way for me to know whether the manager of my mutual fund is acting in a manner that reflects my wishes. As a mutual fund shareholder, I want to know how my mutual fund is voting on issues related to executive pay, board make-up and independence, and other issues that matter to me. I want potential conflicts of interest exposed. I want to know what principles will guide the mutual fund in determining how it votes in corporate proxy contests. I believe that as an owner of a mutual fund, I am entitled to know how my proxy is being voted. I urge the SEC to stand up for investors and for corporate accountability and to vote in favor of the proposed proxy voting rule. I also support the proposal that the SEC establish a pilot, electronic program covering, say, the 100 largest mutual funds which would let me and all other investor see how each fund had voted its proxies on basic corporate governance and responsibility issues. By such a program the SEC could give us a real-time sense of what is going on. Transparency would probably bust up cozy relationships which may contaminate and frustrate capitalist potential for America today. Please act firmly. Don't let timidity or delay or the search an absolutely perfect answer make a big meltdown more and more likely. It will be MUCH harder to put it all back together again. I will turn 70 next year and cannot afford to wait for studies or other delays. Faithfully, David J. Bardin Email Address: BardinD@arentfox.com Name: David Bardin Mailing Address: 4701 Connecticut Avenue, NW Unit #501 Washington, DC 20008 Title: citizen investor Organization: individual citizen Would you like to be contacted? Yes, contact me