Lucas,
As the former president of Public Citizen, I'm writing today to say how proud I am of all that this one-of-a-kind organization continues to accomplish.
Since its founding 40 years ago, Public Citizen has forged a legacy of lasting progress -- a legacy unmatched by any other public interest organization in the country.
Please join me today in building on that legacy with a contribution of $10 or more to Public Citizen.
In all my years at the helm of Public Citizen, nothing inspired me more than the dedication and generosity of the citizens from all walks of life who gave us our strength.
Without you, we might all still be driving cars without airbags.
Without you, dozens of dangerous drugs might still be on the market.
Without you, corporations might have even more control than they do now.
Notice the common denominator?
It's you!
Public Citizen is you. Everything we do to protect consumers and democracy is thanks to you.
What follows is just some of what Public Citizen is able to do thanks to your support.
KEEPING CONSUMERS SAFE
In the tradition of the many battles we won in the 1990s when vital regulatory safeguards were under attack from the likes of Bush and Gingrich, Public Citizen is today leading a broad coalition to debunk U.S. Chamber of Commerce propaganda with research and legislative proposals that prove beyond a shadow of doubt how regulations save lives, reduce illness and injury, create jobs and spur economic growth.
DEFENDING DEMOCRACY
Carrying on our instrumental role in enacting the McCain-Feingold Act, Public Citizen now has a dedicated team of organizers and policy experts creating real momentum for a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's disastrous Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ruling.
REIMAGINING ENERGY
From originating the Critical Mass energy movement to pushing for improved fuel economy to opposing taxpayer subsidies for Big Coal and Big Oil, Public Citizen has always been a leader in the struggle to keep our air and water clean and to shift to safe and affordable energy. That work continues as Public Citizen takes on BP and offshore drilling, nuclear power, financial speculation in energy markets, fracking, piping dirty Tar Sands oil from Canada to Texas, and, most critically, climate change.
A BULWARK AGAINST THE BANKS
Mirroring Public Citizen's crucial involvement in the creation and hardiness of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there has been no stronger voice than ours in calling for the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Public Citizen was also a pivotal force in the broader Wall Street reform legislation and continues to work toward breaking up "too big to fail" banks, enacting a financial speculation tax, and challenging outlandish CEO pay practices.
And that merely scratches the surface of what Public Citizen gets done thanks to you. All without a dime in government or corporate funding.
Please give as much as you can today so that Public Citizen has the resources to keep fighting next year and for many years to come.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Joan Claybrook
President Emeritus and Board Member, Public Citizen
P.S. Robert asked me to mention that, for a limited time, anyone who contributes $100 or more can choose as his thanks a DVD from a selection of progressive films such as the Ralph Nader documentary An Unreasonable Man, Warren Beatty's Bulworth, and Michael Moore's latest, Capitalism: A Love Story.
P.P.S. If you've contributed recently, thank you. If you can, please consider an additional donation so that Public Citizen starts the New Year even stronger.