Lucas,
If you think Citizens United was a mistake, I have bad news.
The U.S. Supreme Court will soon decide another case that may grant the super-rich even more power to dismantle our democracy.
HOW COULD IT GET ANY WORSE?
The case is called McCutcheon v. FEC. And it could do for billionaires what
Citizens United did for Big Business:
Namely, the hyper-wealthy would essentially be able to buy elected officials through dramatically expanded campaign contributions.
The rich can currently dole out up to $123,000 per election cycle to political candidates and committees.
Since that's more than double the median household income in America, you might think the wealthiest among us have more than enough "influence" when it comes to backing candidates who will do their bidding.
But a bad ruling in McCutcheon could enable oligarchs to donate almost 50 times more money to political candidates and committees — letting them back their political puppets to the tune of not $123,000, but $5.9 million.
As it is, elected officials too often become beholden to their wealthiest contributors.
How can we have anything resembling actual democracy if the richest of the rich are able to contribute nearly 50 times more to candidates than they already can?
WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?
Glad you asked!
First ...
The Supreme Court doesn't announce when it will rule on which cases — but the next two "decision days" on its calendar are this coming Tuesday and Wednesday.
That uncertainty is an extra challenge in planning a nationwide grassroots mobilization.
But Public Citizen activists like you aren't letting that stop them.
Already, thousands and thousands of people are planning to attend events the day the ruling is handed down — even though nobody knows exactly when that will be.
In fact, there are now events planned in 38 states — exactly the three-fourths that would be needed to ratify the constitutional amendment we're working so hard for to overturn rulings like Citizens United and
McCutcheon.
If you haven't yet, check out the rapid response events we're planning across the country for the day the McCutcheon decision is announced.
If there's no event near you, sign up to plan one and we'll help you make it happen.
Second ...
A constitutional amendment overturning Citizens United and, if need be,
McCutcheon is just one of the ways to fight the takeover of our democracy by corporations and the 1%.
Right now, there's a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would replace the current campaign system by providing a modest tax credit for citizens to contribute to their preferred candidates and significant matching funds to empower more Americans to participate in political campaigns.
The Government By the People Act — by empowering everyday citizens to engage in elections and by amplifying their impact — would encourage candidates to earn the support of their constituents instead of catering to the whims of their wealthiest funders.
Add your name to our petition supporting the Government By the People Act.
ANTICIPATION
Here at Public Citizen headquarters, we're as antsy as anybody waiting for the Supreme Court to decide the McCutcheon case.
But there's plenty to do while we wait:
1. Find an event near you for the day of the ruling and sign up to attend.
2. Add your name in support of the Government By the People Act to give everyday Americans a greater voice in political campaigns.
3. Stay tuned for my next "Countdown to McCutcheon" update with more ways you can help preserve democracy for We the People.
Thank you for taking action today.
Onward,
Robert Weissman
President, Public Citizen