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Tired of Money Buying Politicians? So Are We. Here’s How to End It.
Tired of Money Buying Politicians? So Are We. Here’s How to End It.
2/18/2015
Our democracy has been cheapened by a handful of wealthy Americans who picks and chooses who runs for office as well as having their hands in the policy process. It's time we fight back as people from across the country are joining forces to put an end to dark money.
In his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama said, “a better politics is one where we spend less time drowning in dark money for ads that pull us into the gutter.”
Floods and tsunamis and natural disasters are unavoidable and devastating, but the influence of big money in politics is created by people — which means it can be fixed by people, too.
In January, The Washington Post editorial page wrote about “a rising tide” of political cash.
Earlier this year, a member of Congress introduced legislation called the “Close the Floodgates Act” to address a recent increase in contribution limits for party committees.
Drowning, rising tides, floodgates. Why do we talk about out-of-control political spending like it’s a natural disaster? It’s a problem entirely created by humans....
...Floods and tsunamis and natural disasters are unavoidable and devastating, but the influence of big money in politics is created by people — which means it can be fixed by people, too. Over the next few days, here at BillMoyers.com, advocates for a fairer, more just political system will explain exactly how.
The head of Maine Citizens for Clean Elections will write about 1,000 volunteers securing 85,000 signatures to update the state’s landmark public financing system. The man who orchestrated Rep. Dave Brat’s (R-VA) upset over former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) will explain why he’s organizing conservatives to support campaign reform policies. A city council member from Richmond, California, will talk about how she’s working with organizations like the Asian Pacific Environmental Network to fight back against Chevron’s corporate cash.
These pieces will cover five main principles that we believe are critical to creating a democracy that’s truly of, by, and for the people:
First, everyone should know who’s spending what in our politics. We need more transparency and better disclosure mechanisms.
Second, everyone should play by common sense rules. Regulators like the FEC, the SEC, the IRS and state agencies all have a role to play in enforcement.
Third, everyone must be held accountable. If politicians break the rules, they need to face the consequences.
Fourth, everyone should be heard. That’s not possible as long as decisions likeCitizens United allow the wealthy to speak louder than everyone else.
Finally, we should encourage everyone to participate in the political process through matching funds and rebates on small donations.
Some policies based on these principles are in place or are being strengthened and some will take more time, but they’re fights we can win.
When a handful of the wealthiest Americans get to pick and choose who runs for office, and those same people get an unequal say in the policy process after Election Day, our democracy is cheapened.
Fortunately, people across the country are coming together to fight back. Just like it took people, not an act of God, to put us into this mess, it’ll take people — millions of them — to get us out.
http://billmoyers.com/2015/02/17/tired-money-buying-politicians-heres-end/
2/18/2015
Our democracy has been cheapened by a handful of wealthy Americans who picks and chooses who runs for office as well as having their hands in the policy process. It's time we fight back as people from across the country are joining forces to put an end to dark money.
In his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama said, “a better politics is one where we spend less time drowning in dark money for ads that pull us into the gutter.”
Floods and tsunamis and natural disasters are unavoidable and devastating, but the influence of big money in politics is created by people — which means it can be fixed by people, too.
In January, The Washington Post editorial page wrote about “a rising tide” of political cash.
Earlier this year, a member of Congress introduced legislation called the “Close the Floodgates Act” to address a recent increase in contribution limits for party committees.
Drowning, rising tides, floodgates. Why do we talk about out-of-control political spending like it’s a natural disaster? It’s a problem entirely created by humans....
...Floods and tsunamis and natural disasters are unavoidable and devastating, but the influence of big money in politics is created by people — which means it can be fixed by people, too. Over the next few days, here at BillMoyers.com, advocates for a fairer, more just political system will explain exactly how.
The head of Maine Citizens for Clean Elections will write about 1,000 volunteers securing 85,000 signatures to update the state’s landmark public financing system. The man who orchestrated Rep. Dave Brat’s (R-VA) upset over former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) will explain why he’s organizing conservatives to support campaign reform policies. A city council member from Richmond, California, will talk about how she’s working with organizations like the Asian Pacific Environmental Network to fight back against Chevron’s corporate cash.
These pieces will cover five main principles that we believe are critical to creating a democracy that’s truly of, by, and for the people:
First, everyone should know who’s spending what in our politics. We need more transparency and better disclosure mechanisms.
Second, everyone should play by common sense rules. Regulators like the FEC, the SEC, the IRS and state agencies all have a role to play in enforcement.
Third, everyone must be held accountable. If politicians break the rules, they need to face the consequences.
Fourth, everyone should be heard. That’s not possible as long as decisions likeCitizens United allow the wealthy to speak louder than everyone else.
Finally, we should encourage everyone to participate in the political process through matching funds and rebates on small donations.
Some policies based on these principles are in place or are being strengthened and some will take more time, but they’re fights we can win.
When a handful of the wealthiest Americans get to pick and choose who runs for office, and those same people get an unequal say in the policy process after Election Day, our democracy is cheapened.
Fortunately, people across the country are coming together to fight back. Just like it took people, not an act of God, to put us into this mess, it’ll take people — millions of them — to get us out.
http://billmoyers.com/2015/02/17/tired-money-buying-politicians-heres-end/
*I was surprised they didn't mention the work Wolf-Pac is doing~
Our Ultimate Goal:
To restore true, representative democracy in the United States by pressuring our State Legislators to pass a much needed Free and Fair Elections Amendment to our Constitution. There are only 2 ways to amend the Constitution. (1) Go through our Federal Government (2) Go through our State Legislators via an amendments convention of the states.
Wolf PAC believes that we can no longer count on our Federal Government to do what is in the best interest of the American people due to the unfettered amount of money they receive from outside organizations to fund their campaigns. We point to the failure of the Disclose Act as rock solid evidence that this would be a total waste of our time, effort, and money. We also point to the recent decision by the US Supreme Court to not even hear a case filed by Montana claiming it did not have to abide by Citizens United, as proof that state legislation is not a sufficient measure to solve this problem. We believe that we have no choice but to put an amendment in the hands of our State Legislators, who are not, at this moment in time, completely blinded by the influence of money and might actually do what 96% of the country wants...take away the massive influence that money has over our political process.
Step 1: Believe
Convince enough people to believe that we absolutely have the power to change our country for the better and that it is still possible to have a government of, by, and for the people in the United States. Convince those same people that we have a plan that will work if they are willing to do any of these vital things for us; volunteer, meet and talk with their local State Legislators about this issue, spread the word via telling others, posting our link through email or social media, donating, or becoming a Wolf PAC Member. Think about how much power we would have if just 1/3 of 1 percent of us were giving only $10 a month to a plan that could save our democracy...we would have 10 million dollars a month to educate people and actually change the system for the better. You can become a member and help us have the power we need to fight fire with fire by Clicking Here.
Step 2: Action
Build a structure of volunteers in every state and every district in this country that is capable of making contact with State Legislators at the drop of a hat. We know that State Legislators listen to people within their own districts and that if they get just three calls on any given issue they are going to pay attention to that issue. If we build our network big enough to put pressure on State Legislators in every district in the country then we will win. That's why we really need you to sign up to volunteer. We need you to call your local State Legislators and set up a meeting with them to discuss the influence of money in our political process. (very easy conversation to have, everybody has an opinion on this subject)
Step 3: Focus
Once we have found those states that are the most receptive to joining this battle with us we will focus our time, effort, and money on them until we get that vital and historic first state to call for an Article V. Convention for the purpose of limiting the influence that money has over our political process. According to Article V of our Constitution, Congress must call for an amendment-proposing convention, “on the application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States”, and therefore 34 state legislatures would have to submit applications.
Step 4: Connect
After we have gained momentum from getting that first state "on the board" we will then begin to introduce State Legislators all around the country to each other via conference calls, webinars, etc. and show them that this a real possibility if they are willing to stand up together. Explain to them that a convention is the only way to restore true democracy to the United States and that they have a chance to be part of something incredibly historic.
To restore true, representative democracy in the United States by pressuring our State Legislators to pass a much needed Free and Fair Elections Amendment to our Constitution. There are only 2 ways to amend the Constitution. (1) Go through our Federal Government (2) Go through our State Legislators via an amendments convention of the states.
Wolf PAC believes that we can no longer count on our Federal Government to do what is in the best interest of the American people due to the unfettered amount of money they receive from outside organizations to fund their campaigns. We point to the failure of the Disclose Act as rock solid evidence that this would be a total waste of our time, effort, and money. We also point to the recent decision by the US Supreme Court to not even hear a case filed by Montana claiming it did not have to abide by Citizens United, as proof that state legislation is not a sufficient measure to solve this problem. We believe that we have no choice but to put an amendment in the hands of our State Legislators, who are not, at this moment in time, completely blinded by the influence of money and might actually do what 96% of the country wants...take away the massive influence that money has over our political process.
Step 1: Believe
Convince enough people to believe that we absolutely have the power to change our country for the better and that it is still possible to have a government of, by, and for the people in the United States. Convince those same people that we have a plan that will work if they are willing to do any of these vital things for us; volunteer, meet and talk with their local State Legislators about this issue, spread the word via telling others, posting our link through email or social media, donating, or becoming a Wolf PAC Member. Think about how much power we would have if just 1/3 of 1 percent of us were giving only $10 a month to a plan that could save our democracy...we would have 10 million dollars a month to educate people and actually change the system for the better. You can become a member and help us have the power we need to fight fire with fire by Clicking Here.
Step 2: Action
Build a structure of volunteers in every state and every district in this country that is capable of making contact with State Legislators at the drop of a hat. We know that State Legislators listen to people within their own districts and that if they get just three calls on any given issue they are going to pay attention to that issue. If we build our network big enough to put pressure on State Legislators in every district in the country then we will win. That's why we really need you to sign up to volunteer. We need you to call your local State Legislators and set up a meeting with them to discuss the influence of money in our political process. (very easy conversation to have, everybody has an opinion on this subject)
Step 3: Focus
Once we have found those states that are the most receptive to joining this battle with us we will focus our time, effort, and money on them until we get that vital and historic first state to call for an Article V. Convention for the purpose of limiting the influence that money has over our political process. According to Article V of our Constitution, Congress must call for an amendment-proposing convention, “on the application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States”, and therefore 34 state legislatures would have to submit applications.
Step 4: Connect
After we have gained momentum from getting that first state "on the board" we will then begin to introduce State Legislators all around the country to each other via conference calls, webinars, etc. and show them that this a real possibility if they are willing to stand up together. Explain to them that a convention is the only way to restore true democracy to the United States and that they have a chance to be part of something incredibly historic.
