Lucas,
We truly appreciate the actions taken by thousands of activists like you to rein in corporate influence on our democracy.
The Fair Elections Now Act has been successfully passed by the committee and is now eligible for a full vote by the House of Representatives. This bill would empower congressional candidates to run viable campaigns without funding from corporations and other wealthy special interests. If passed, it will create a new, voluntary system for candidates to receive matching public funds to amplify contributions by small donors.
It's a small step forward, but it's a critical victory for all who are fighting to tamp down the influence of greedy special interests in Washington.
But since the U.S. Supreme Court gave corporations a First Amendment right to spend unlimited money to influence elections, their power over our government will remain a monstrous obstacle to the people's voice.
Free speech is for people, not corporations. Sign the petition to amend the Constitution to stop the flood of corporate cash that's flowing into our elections.
The unconscionable decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission is allowing corporations to rain unlimited money on corporate candidates. Target, Best Buy, 3M and other corporate behemoths already have spent untold amounts to elect politicians who are eager to scrap consumer protections and defend corporate America.
Perhaps the worst part is that nobody can trace the source of most of this spending.
Senate Republicans used the filibuster to derail the DISCLOSE Act. Without this new disclosure law, the sources of money behind the corporate front groups will remain in the shadows, and foreign-controlled corporations can have just as much influence as American corporations in our elections.
Brainless, soulless corporations are thriving while our economy is struggling. Congress has failed to meet the challenge posed by the Citizens United v. FEC ruling with even modest legislation.
Enough is enough. Corporations are not people. They do not vote, and they should not be influencing our elections. Let's get behind the only solution that is equal to the task.
Sign the petition for a constitutional amendment to prevent corporate control of our elections:
www.DontGetRolled.org
We will continue the fight in Congress, before the executive branch regulatory agencies, in the courts and, increasingly, in communities across the nation as we build this grassroots movement. It won't happen over night, but together, We, the People can win.
Thanks for all you do,
Anna White and Rick Claypool
Public Citizen's Online Action Team
action@citizen.org