February, 08 2016, 10:30am EDT
New Report Spotlights Growing Support for Money in Politics Reforms
"Our Voices, Our Democracy" Details Moves to Toughen Disclosure, Pass Citizen-Funded Campaign Finance Systems
WASHINGTON
A citizens' movement to break the power of big money in politics with tougher disclosure laws, financing systems that elevate small dollar donors, and other reforms is winning important victories in states and localities across the country, Common Cause and several allied groups advocates argue in a report released today.
"Our Voices, Our Democracy," highlights calls by voters, state legislatures and local governing bodies in 16 states and more than 680 localities for a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's 2010 decision in Citizens United v. FEC; the ruling has helped corporations and wealthy donors pump hundreds of millions of dollars into U.S. elections.
The report also notes that at least 23 states have enacted new disclosure rules since 2010 and that states including Connecticut and Maine and localities including Seattle, Tallahassee and Montgomery County, MD have acted to pass, defend and strengthen citizen-funded campaign finance systems that amplify the voices of small-dollar donors.
"This report demolishes the conventional wisdom that nothing can be done to break the hold on our democracy that Citizens United and other Supreme Court decisions have given to corporations and wealthy special interests," said Karen Hobert Flynn, Common Cause's senior vice president for strategy and programs.
"People are working in their communities, and now connecting state-by-state, in building a national movement to preserve democracy and make sure our government listens to and reflects the people it serves. And they're winning important victories."
According to the report:
* From California to South Dakota, there are more ballot initiatives in 2016 than in any previous election cycle to rebalance the system so it works for voters.
* Spurred by petitions signed by more than 1 million Americans, President Obama reportedly is "seriously considering" executive order requiring federal contractors to disclose their political spending.
* Thousands of Americans organized by hundreds of organizations representing a diverse array of constituencies will pour into Washington D.C. between April 11-18 for mass civil disobedience, demonstrations, concerts, teach-ins, a rally, lobbying and more.
* More than 200,000 Americans have called on the presidential candidates to get serious about fighting big money in elections. For the first time ever, every Democratic candidate for president has publicly embraced a comprehensive plan to fight big money and many Republicans are embracing solutions of their own.
"Our Voices, Our Democracy" is a collaborative effort of Common Cause and six other national organizations representing millions of Americans: Center for Media and Democracy, Demos, Every Voice, People for the American Way, Public Citizen, and U.S. PIRG.
"This surge of citizen activism may be the most under-reported story of the campaign," Hobert Flynn said. "The polls may disagree about which candidates are leading the presidential race, but there's no disputing that overwhelming majorities of Democrats and Republicans alike are hungry for reforms that stem the power of big money and empower everyday Americans."
Common Cause is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.
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Announcing a new series that will detail how "billionaire oligarchs" in the U.S. "manipulate the global economy, purchase our elections, avoid paying taxes, and increasingly control our government," Sanders said in a Friday night video address that it makes him laugh when mainstream pundits talk openly about the nefarious oligarchic structures in other places, but refuse to acknowledge the issue in domestic terms.
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Bernie Sanders talks about the oligarchy
While rarely discussed in the corporate press or by most elected officials, argues Sanders, the reality is that a "small number of incredibly wealthy billionaires own and control much of the global economy. Period. End of discussion. And increasingly they own and control our government through a corrupt campaign finance system."
Since the the victory of President-elect Donald Trump in November, Sanders has been increasingly outspoken about his frustrations over the failure of the Democratic Party to adequately confront the contradictions presented by a party that purports to represent the interests of the working class yet remains so beholden to corporate interests and the wealthy that lavish it with campaign contributions.
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Mr. Siri is also representing ICAN in petitioning the FDA to "pause distribution" of 13 other vaccines, including combination products that cover tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and hepatitis A, until their makers disclose details about aluminum, an ingredient researchers have associated with a small increase in asthma cases.
Mr. Siri declined to be interviewed, but said all of his petitions were filed on behalf of clients. Katie Miller, a spokeswoman for Mr. Kennedy, said Mr. Siri has been advising Mr. Kennedy but has not discussed his petitions with any of the health nominees. She added, "Mr. Kennedy has long said that he wants transparency in vaccines and to give people choice."
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Ryan Cooper, managing editor at The American Prospect, warned that "they want your kids dead."
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Multiple critics altered Trump's campaign slogan to "Make Polio Great Again."
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Sandy Fonzo, whose son killed himself after being sentenced to juvenile detention, said in a statement: "I am shocked and I am hurt. Conahan's actions destroyed families, including mine, and my son's death is a tragic reminder of the consequences of his abuse of power."
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