Date:    1/5/98  1:50 PM

Subject: opposition to rule S7-25-97 (the stockholder gag rule)
    
Dear Arthur Levitt, Securities and Exchange Commission,
     
It has come to my attention that a rule (S7-25-97) that would prevent many 
stockholder initiatives from being deliberated and voted upon at open 
stockholder meetings is being considered by the Securities and Exchange 
Commission.  It is my understanding that this proposed rule would prevent many 
motions and information on issues including fair employment practices (such as 
sex and race discrimination and harassment) from being brought to stockholders'
attention.  The rule would also prevent questions on gender balancing boards,
the use of child labor, and other ways that employees, investors and customers force 
corporations to clean up their acts when they have refused to act on their 
own.
     
I am opposed to outlawing stockholder motions, especially those that would 
affect women.  I realize that many shareholders do not even read the 
information that comes with the proxies, but I believe that those who own a 
share in a company should have the ability to review and discuss all 
information about the company and make their views known to the management 
that works for them.  Shareholders should have the ability to make motions and 
supply information on issues affecting how their company is run, otherwise the 
only choice shareholders have is to sell their stock.  This does not usually 
affect the company unless a great number of shareholders take this action. 
There needs to be more ways that shareholders can make their views known, not 
less.
     
I also would like to see a way that shareholder's permission is given before 
political donations are given or large amounts of money are spent on lobbying 
the Congress.  At least the shareholders should be notified of the amounts 
that are spent on political donations and lobbying, and to whom and for what 
purpose.
     
Sincerely,
     
Dana Thompson
23060 Evergreen Ln.
Los Gatos, CA 95030