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Forum Post: Citizens United - UPDATE

Posted 12 years ago on March 16, 2012, 3 p.m. EST by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

Start a petition drive in your State:

http://sanders.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=2100085383.557604.387&gen=1&mailing_linkid=46952


Vermont Town Meetings:

http://sanders.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=2100085383.557604.387&gen=1&mailing_linkid=46954


Sen Sanders original petition:

http://sanders.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=2100085383.557604.387&gen=1&mailing_linkid=46955

Building Momentum Across the United States

On Town Meeting Day in Vermont, at least 60 towns urged Congress to pass a constitutional amendment to restore limits on corporate campaign spending. Now, Public Citizen is launching a nationwide campaign calling upon towns, cities and states to pass resolutions “that declare public support for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United, challenge corporate power and keep our democracy firmly in the hands of the American people.”

In the Senate, Bernie has proposed the Saving American Democracy Amendment to undo the disastrous 5-4 Supreme Court ruling, known as Citizens United. More than 210,000 people have already signed a petition supporting Bernie’s constitutional amendment which will undo the devastating ruling that unleashed waves of corporate cash into our democracy. In towns, cities and states across the country, more than 110 resolutions have been passed in favor of overturning the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Resolutions of Support: Learn more (non-Senate site) » Watch Bernie’s Senate speech about Vermont’s Town Meeting Day votes » Map: See where resolutions have passed »

54 Comments

54 Comments


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[-] 8 points by beautifulworld (23767) 12 years ago

This, in my mind, is the issue that trumps all others.

[+] -6 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

It is a huge issue and takes us quite a ways forward when it is resolved.

[-] 3 points by shadz66 (19985) 12 years ago

Further to your important post ...

radix omnium malorum est cupiditas ...

[+] -7 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Very good. Thanks for submitting.

This is presented in plain language that anyone can understand, and it speaks to the heart of our issues in fighting corruption.

[-] 3 points by shadz66 (19985) 12 years ago

You're welcome and for further shocking but unsurprising news ...

fiat justirtia ruat caelum ...

[+] -6 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Thank you -Yet again. You always bring good stuff to the table.

I have been telling people for years to cut-up their credit cards pay off their account and never reopen another.

A cash and carry society is so much more healthy strong stable and flexible.

Then there is the dark side of credit cards - For Real.

Usury was outlawed - Well what in the hell is a 26% interest rate?

Then you get into other abuses as stated in this article.

Can you deny that this is organized crime?

For those of you who are just looking in and have not made a decision yet as to what you should do.

It is becoming undeniable that we need to stand together and end corruption.

[-] 2 points by francismjenkins (3713) 12 years ago

If we could get the support of 38 states, we wouldn't need Congresses approval for an amendment (although maybe we could elect a Congress that would support such a measure)???

[+] -5 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

We go for both. We need people in office that represent the people that uphold the constitution.

I am surprised that there has not been more recall efforts. Perhaps after Walker gets booted.

[-] 2 points by francismjenkins (3713) 12 years ago

Not all states even allow for recall elections, and the ones that do, tend to only allow it under limited circumstances. At the federal level, the ability to hold recall elections would require a Constitutional amendment. At the state and local level, it could be done by merely changing state law (or, depending on the case, amending a state constitution).

[+] -7 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Yet again another necessary battle ground. These things must be addressed if we are to regain and maintain our governments.

[-] 1 points by francismjenkins (3713) 12 years ago

Indeed, as a strong advocate of direct democracy, I think our greatest opportunity is at the state and local levels. While there's certainly a great impetus to overturn Citizens United and get the corrosive influence of money out of politics (and with enough hard work, we probably could get a Constitutional amendment to deal with these problems), instituting direct democracy via an amendment to the federal Constitution is unlikely in the short term. If we could restrict the influence of money in politics, maybe implement terms limits, and other restrictions (such as barring elected officials or their staffs from lobbying government after leaving federal service, banning all gifts to politicians, etc.), I think that would help us considerably.

At the state and local level, we could probably achieve much more robust change. There's nothing in our Constitution barring states from adopting direct democracy. Obviously, the extent to which we're able to influence change may be uneven. In other words, we'll probably succeed in some states, and find more resistance to these ideas in other states, but that's okay (I mean, we have to start somewhere).

Imagine a state where we implement direct democracy, all able adults would be required to serve in political office at some point in their lives, we could even make the police function rotational (with a much smaller professional police force, staffed with people who had a good academic background in the social sciences), release all prisoners incarcerated for victimless crimes, etc. Imagine the money we would save? We could divert that money towards much more productive uses, such as loan programs to enable workers to purchase businesses (promoting the concept of employee owned companies), and of course there's many other productive things we could do with that money. There are great examples of direct democracy in today's world (e.g. Switzerland), thousands of very successful employee owned and manged companies in the United States, and countries who took radical steps like ending the prohibition against drugs (e.g. Portugal), who have had good experiences.

[-] 2 points by rayl (1007) 12 years ago

still waiting for a response from my senators from arizona.

[+] -8 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Feel free to pester them. Get as many people as you can aware and have them pester them too. They work for you they work for the people of Arizona. Elected officials have forgotten this basic truth and they need to be called on it.

[-] 2 points by epa1nter (4650) from Rutherford, NJ 12 years ago

Already sent my signature to my Senators. (Got form letter responses from both of them, too.)

[+] -8 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Well I expect the form letter responses. Main thing is to keep up the communication/pressure. I will sign and send every petition that comes my way that involves bettering our country.

[-] 2 points by SparkyJP (1646) from Westminster, MD 12 years ago

I just received his email about this. He is one of the few senators I trust. We need more like him!

[-] 1 points by GypsyKing (8708) 12 years ago

Thanks DKA!

[+] -8 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Thank you.

We are ALL in this together.

Thank ALL of you who are contributing to the fight against corruption.

[-] 1 points by GypsyKing (8708) 12 years ago

How're you doing today?

[+] -8 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

More determined day by day. How you doin?

[-] 3 points by GypsyKing (8708) 12 years ago

After seeing the gestapo tactics of the NYC PD again, I'm not only more determined than ever, I'm really, really angry! I think part of what they are doing is trying to force people to retaliate, so they can really crack down. Perhaps it would be good to shift action to DC and Philidelphia for awhile.

I'm doing good, a little hung over from St. Pat's Day, and the Guinness, which is a real luxury where I live. Had a great day! Thanks.

[+] -6 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Good to hear you had a good day, we need to recharge with friends and family.

Yes violent action by authorities on peaceful protest will move us forward. There was no excuse for what they did, and I truly hope it Kicks them square in the Balls.

[-] 1 points by GypsyKing (8708) 12 years ago

Ditto!

[-] 1 points by bensdad (8977) 12 years ago

AFL-CIO Executive Council Statement on Citizens United The statement below was just passed by the AFL-CIO Executive Council Statement on Citizens United Two years ago, the Supreme Court seriously undermined our democracy when, continuing a trend of deregulatory campaign finance decisions, it ruled to allow unlimited independent campaign spending by business corporations and other groups.

The Citizens United ruling further tilted the playing field in favor of the 1% and against the 99%, whose voices are being drowned out by excessive spending and influence by corporations and the wealthy.

Since the Citizens United ruling came down, and particularly since the rise of the Occupy Wall Street movement, there has been growing momentum in supportof public policy solutions aimed at curbing excessive corporate influence and restoring greater balance in our political process. From federal and stateinitiatives to bring about greater transparency and disclosure of spending by corporate interests and wealthy donors, to proposals for a constitutional amendment restoring Congress’ ability to regulate campaign spending, to calls for abolishing corporate "personhood," people from coast to coasthave sounded the alarm about the need for reforms to rein in excessive corporate influence in our democracy.

The AFL-CIO supports the overturning of the Citizens United decision and calls for immediate action to end the dominance of our political system by corporations and the 1%. The AFL-CIO has long advocated for measures to bring about greater fairness, openness and participation in Elections—reforms that enfranchise voters and ensure that wealth does not wield disproportionate influence. We support public financing of campaigns, limitations on individual contributions to candidates and parties and public disclosure of political expenditures. We also support measures to enable citizens to vote more easily, and we oppose voter identification and similar measures that are aimed at seizing partisan advantage through disenfranchisement. And, we oppose misleadingly labeled “paycheck protection” measures that would exacerbate inequality by hampering union political activity while leaving corporate and rich individuals’ political spending unimpeded.

The Citizens United ruling has opened the floodgates to massive spending by corporations and even more so by wealthy donors. They are pouring money into our electoral system and threaten to drown out the voices of hard-working Americans. Common-sense restrictions on their spending are needed, along with robust disclosure of their contributions and expenditures—including their contributions to organizations engaged in electoral activity.

The AFL-CIO also supports reforms aimed at restoring business corporations to their proper role as commercial institutions and limiting their influence in the political sphere. Business corporations are not people—they are manmade creatures of law that exist to generate economic activity and create jobs and income in communities. The notion that they should enjoy the same rights and protections as natural persons is absurd and it is destructive to our democracy. At the same time, for more than a century, corporations have enjoyed certain constitutional protections, such as due process protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, which are consistent with basic American values. We support reforms, including changes to our tax laws and corporate laws, that address corporate dominance of our political system and that restore corporations to their proper role in our democracy.

Congress should pass and the Supreme Court should uphold the necessary reforms to protect our democracy from the power of money. As long as Citizens United remains the law of the land, constitutional change may be the only option. Amending the U.S. Constitution should be a rare act, done with the greatest of care. To earn our support, any such amendment must be carefully and narrowly crafted to protect our democracy from the economic power of the 1%, while at the same time protecting the public’s right to organize politically through democratic organizations and movements. Working people have a long and proud history of participating in our nation’s public life through our unions. Unions are by tradition and law democratic organizations, run on the basis of one member, one vote. In a union, dollars do not vote—people do. Our unions bring us together in our union halls, our workplaces and our homes to discuss the issues facing our nation and to come together to make our voices heard in the political process. Unions are transparent organizations—all of our spending, including our political spending, is disclosed in great detail to the general public and union members, as required by statute since 1959. Any campaign finance reform needs to recognize the fundamental distinction between the democratically governed communications among working people through unions and the unaccountable spending by corporations and the rich.

[-] 1 points by bensdad (8977) 12 years ago

Virtually everything we want hinges on disarming our opponent –
……………………………………………………..GREED
by stopping the flood of bribes into our government.


YOU WANT TO GET IT DONE ? ARE YOU SERIOUS ?
Join the NYC OWS
Corporations are not People and Money is not Speech Working Group


This is the first REAL step to REAL change .

government OF the people BY the people FOR the people

JOIN US >
Join the NYC OWS Corporations are not People and Money is not Speech Working Group
………….( even if you are not near NYC )

http://www.nycga.net/groups/restore-democracy
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYCRDWG

check out our comprehensive analysis of
the 17 existing proposed amendments
and our detailed historical timeline of corporate personhood


We can continue,

as a movement of demands
as a movement of declarations
as a movement of marches

OR


Are you ready
.....................FOR ACTION ?
Are you ready
.....................TO DO SOMETHING REAL ?
Are you ready
......................TO JOIN 83% OF YOUR FELLOW AMERICANS ?


We must not
DEMAND that we WANT THEM.to give to US
We must
DEMAND GOALS THAT WE WILL ACHIEVE FOR OURSELVES


Because of the Supreme Court's decision,
we cannot accomplish anything significant, without FIRST -

Overturning Citizens United !!!
Ending Corporate Personhood !!!


83% of Americans already agree on it
as stated in the ABC/Washington Post poll

.........................................

In the the PFAW Poll -

85% of voters say that corporations have too much influence over the political system today.
77% think Congress should support an amendment to limit the amount corporations can spend on elections.
74% say that they would be more likely to vote for a candidate for Congress who pledged to support a Constitutional Amendment limiting corporate spending in elections.


PLEASE COMMENT ON: MY "IDEAL - COMPREHENSIVE" AMENDMENT

Section 1 {A corporation is not a person and can be regulated}
The rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons { human beings } only. Artificial entities, such as corporations, limited liability companies, and other entities, established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign state shall have no rights under this Constitution and are subject to regulation by the People, through Federal, State, or local law. The privileges of artificial entities shall be determined by the People, through Federal, State, or local law, and shall not be construed to be inherent or inalienable.

Section 2 { Money is not speech }
Federal, State and local government shall regulate, limit, or prohibit contributions and expenditures, including a candidate’s own contributions and expenditures, and may restrict all financing to “public financing” for the purpose of influencing in any way the election of any candidate for public office or any ballot measure. As above, all foreign contributions are forbidden.

Section 3 { Transparency & Disclosure }
Federal, State and local government shall require that any permissible contributions and expenditures be publicly disclosed less than 60 days after the transaction and before the election.

Section 4 { Voter Suppression }
Federal, State and local government shall not require any new forms of id for voting, beyond what was needed to register for previously registered voters. College photo-id ( including for out-of-state students ) must be acceptable. Federal, State and local government shall permit early voting for at least the 6 days before the election day.

Section 5 { Election Day & Registration }
Federal, State and local government may make election day a holiday. Federal, State and local government must allow simultaneous registration and voting on election day.

Section 6 { Eliminate the Electoral College – one man one vote } The electoral college is abolished and the President and Vice-President will be elected by popular vote. .

Section 7 { Eliminate the Filibuster } Unless specified in the Constitution , all voting in the House and Senate shall be based on a simple majority.

Section 8 Nothing contained in this amendment shall be construed to abridge the freedom of the press .

{NOTE: sections 4, 5, 6, 7 are not required to overturn CU – just my wish list }
COMMENTS ON THE ABOVE ARE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED


IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO ACT ----> JOIN US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE


Our primary goal should be to pass a constitutional amendment to counter Supreme Court decision Citizens United (2010) , that enables unlimited amounts of anonymous money to flood into our political system.
We don’t have to explain or persuade people to accept our position – we only have to persuade them to ACT based on their own position. Pursuing this goal will prove to the world that we, at OWS, are a serious realistic Movement, with serious realistic goals. Achieving this goal will make virtually every other goal – jobs, taxes, infrastructure, Medicare – much easier to achieve –
by disarming our greatest enemy – GREED.


IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO ACT ----> JOIN US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE


THE SUCCESS STORY OF THE AMENDING PROCESS The Prohibition movement started as a disjointed effort by conservative teetotalers who thought the consumption of alcohol was immoral. They ransacked saloons and garnered press coverage here and there for a few years. Then they began to gain support from the liberals because many considered alcohol partially responsible for spousal and child abuse, among other social ills. This odd alliance, after many years of failing to influence change consistently across jurisdictions, decided to concentrate on one issue nationally—a constitutional amendment. They pressured all politicians on every level to sign a pledge to support the amendment. Any who did not, they defeated easily at the ballot box since they controlled a huge number of liberal, and conservative and independent swing votes in every election. By being a single-issue constituency attacking from all sides of the political spectrum, they very quickly amassed enough votes (2/3) to pass the amendment in Congress. And, within just 17 months, they were successful in getting ¾ of the state legislatures to ratify the constitutional amendment into law. (Others were ratified even faster: Eight —took less than a year. The 26th, granting 18-year-olds the right to vote, took just three months and eight days.)


If they could tie the left and right into a success - WHY CAN'T WE ??????????


IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO ACT ----> JOIN US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE


1
83% of Americans ( and 76% of the Rs ) have already opposed CU in
the ABC/Washington post poll and the above
IS THEIR POSITION ALREADY.
2
We don’t have to work to convince people on the validity of our position.
3
This Amendment { sections 1+2 }is REQUIRED to overturn CU.
And all other electoral reform can be passed through the normal legislative process. 4
OWS and the FORUM pages are chock full of ( mostly ) excellent ideas to improve our country.
All of them have strong advocates – and some have strong opposition.
None of them has been “pre-approved” by 83% of Americans !
Pursuing this goal – is exactly what Americans want.
What do we want? Look at that almost endless list of demands – goals - aims.
Tax the rich. End the Fed. Jobs for all, Medicare for all. So easy to state our demands! Can you imagine how hard it would be to formulate a “sales pitch” for any of these to convince your Republican friends to vote for any of them?
83% of Americans have ALREADY “voted” against CU. And 76% of the Rs did too.
All we have to do ask Americans is to pressure their representatives – by letters - emails – petitions.

Wanna take your family on vacation?
Convince the 7 year old and the 10 year old to go to Mt Rushmore.
Then try to convince them to go to Disneyland.
Prioritizing this goal will introduce us to the world – not as a bunch of hippie radical anarchist socialist commie rabblerousers – but as a responsible, mature movement that is fighting for what America wants.


IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO ACT ----> JOIN US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE


I feel that using the tactics of the NRA, the AARP, the TP, the anti-SOPA – who all represent a minority – who have successfully used their voting power and political pressure to achieve their minority goals - plus the Prohibition Amendment tactics – bringing all sides together - is a straight path for us to success that cannot fail to enable us to create and complete one task that the MAJORITY want.

There are at least seventeen different Constitutional Amendments in the works.
Help us support these moves to get the money out of our political system.


Join the NYC OWS Corporations are not People and Money is not Speech Working Group
http://www.nycga.net/groups/restore-democracy
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYCRDWG
http://bit.ly/vK2pGI

regular meetings Wednesdays 5:30-7:30PM @ 60 Wall St – The Attrium


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[-] 1 points by francismjenkins (3713) 12 years ago

In general, I like the language, but I see some potential problems. For example, our Constitution also grants freedom of assembly, and many organizations are merely extensions of that right to assemble. Nonprofit environmental organizations, workers rights organizations, organizations like Amnesty International, and so on. These are all organized as some sort of "artificial entity" (created by law), so we need to deliberate on this carefully (to ensure there won't be unintended consequences that make things worse than they are today).

I think it would also help if we all had a deeper understanding of what Citizens United actually stood for. It was not a case concerning a conventional for profit corporation, nor did it concern conventional political advertising. It was a nonprofit organization formed for the sole purpose of political activism, who wanted to release a film documentary on Hillary Clinton.

The decision never actually invokes the term corporate personhood, it was based purely on First Amendment grounds. "Congress shall make no law," very unambiguous language. So I think we'd want to be very careful about how we amended the Constitution to deal with this decision (although I do agree that an amendment is probably necessary).

This is a rare case where I think we would need specificity in the language of any proposed amendment. For example, we could import the language of the overturned provision of McCain Feingold, directly into the amendment.

Any ad that mentioned a political candidate by name, within 60 days of an election, barring news coverage by media outlets, should be restricted, unless contributions to the organization releasing the ad, were subject to the same contribution limits imposed on individuals and organizations in general.

The challenge of course is in making the distinction between media outlets and non-media organizations (and this concern was specifically mentioned by the Court in CU), and there are inherent risks where we try to create a regulatory scheme that categorizes speech in this way. These problems could I think be avoided if we keep our sites aimed at the money, however, it's also likely that this sort of regulatory scheme would induce corporations to become even more involved in media, so some level of categorization may be necessary. One way to make this distinction could be to grant "independent" media organizations the highest level of protection (but again, more thinking is required to formulate a law that would not create a potentially dangerous slippery slope). It should also be noted that it may not be impossible to write a new law that sufficiently deals with this problem, and at the same time is able to withstand a Constitutional challenge (however, again, I think an amendment will probably be necessary).

Of course this all only addresses a small part of the problem. I think we need term limits, elected officials and their staffs should be barred from lobbying government after they leave federal service, all gifts to politicians should be banned, and this is only the short list :)

[-] -1 points by bensdad (8977) 12 years ago

Thanks for the fabulous reply!
I hope you join our wg - even if you are not in NYC
My "ideal" really does go beyond the present emergency, and you elaborated some other things we must deal with.

Our WG has come to certain conclusions:

1 & #2 (mostly as in Move to Amend) are manditory

We have a detailed evaluation posted in our group - of the 17 amendments that are proposed or in the works
We do have to be careful ( as you said ) about restricting unions, non-profits, etc. But if we, in the amendment ( as Sanders does ), give them special treatment, we will get NO republican support. We believe, after the amendment is passed, we can LEGISLATE special rights for these organizations. Sanders' bill could enable koch to set up a non-profit.

"Corporations are not People" does go far beyond CU - but if you get our "Corporate Personhood Timeline" from our site, you will see that ALL corporate personhood rights - which go way beyond speech and money were CREATED by courts - never by LAW !
We also want to differentiate what MUST be dealt with in amendment as opposed to legislation because we figure that if we bunch too much together ( as I did ) we will stir up more opposition.
I would love to add #3 and I am livid about the voter suppression garbage.
BUT
getting the money out - disconnecting capitalism from democracy
MUST BE OUR FIRST PRIORITY

Please join our group!
http://www.nycga.net/groups/restore-democracy
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYCRDWG
http://bit.ly/vK2pGI

[-] 1 points by francismjenkins (3713) 12 years ago

Okay, I joined the group at the NYC General Assembly site, the Yahoo group, and signed the petition. Thanks for the links ....

[-] 1 points by Puzzlin (2898) 12 years ago

Please and sign this petition as well:

http://movetoamend.org/



This really is at the core of what OWS has been saying all along. This will NOT end until this crap is over-turned, we need to stay active in politics and never stop. We let these rich greedy fat cats take control of our country. They turned into a casino and when they lost the chips they balanced their sheets on the backs of the middle class and poor.

Many like me weren't just woken up last year. We been at all our lives and it has become my life to always vote and yell from the mountains when injustices occur. It has always seemed we have never been able to stop the madness but this madness won't stop me from railing against it every step of the way! For the realist, this world is cold and cruel. We can only hope to stem the tide, but it's it worth everything to do it.

[+] -8 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Of coarse I signed, tweeted and Face-booked. This required no consideration as we need to stop corporate corrupt manipulation of our Country.

People you may have signed a similar petition already. Sign them all each is a wake-up call to government. Each is our right. Stand-up and be counted.

[-] 1 points by FriendlyObserverB (1871) 12 years ago

If we can get limits on campaign spending, perhaps we could also put limits on sales profits !?!

[-] 1 points by rayl (1007) 12 years ago

minimum wage and maximum wage? yes, for everyone!

[+] -7 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

1st thing is to regain the government. Then all good things are possible.

[-] 3 points by FriendlyObserverB (1871) 12 years ago

Alright, I love democracy. Regaining the government should be easy. 99 to 1 easy !

[-] 1 points by SparkyJP (1646) from Westminster, MD 12 years ago

I love your optimism, but I don't think regaining our government will be as easy as you imagine. The PTB, have put a lot of time, money, and effort, to get us where we are today - so they won't relinquish easily ..... but it can be done! We just have to unite and remain steadfast. Cheers

We are not to expect to be translated from despotism to liberty in a featherbed. ~Thomas Jefferson~

[-] 2 points by FriendlyObserverB (1871) 12 years ago

We've been lulled into complacency and acceptance, and the few in charge have run everything amuck. But now we are experiencing a great awakening, and the power of the people will return. OWS sparked a revolution.

[-] 1 points by SparkyJP (1646) from Westminster, MD 12 years ago

Hey FO, I'm with ya, and yes, people are finally waking up. My only point is that we should expect a hard, uphill battle. This doesn't detract from the fact that the revolution needs to happen.

I am an advocate of Revolution 2.0 and a Direct Democracy

http://osixs.org/Rev2_menu_commonsense.aspx

[-] 2 points by rayl (1007) 12 years ago

this must be done and might take years but once the public awareness is great enough it will go quickly. the major problem is the spin that many media sources use to misinform the people. it's a propaganda war at the moment.

[Removed]

[+] -7 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Citizens United is a major step forward if we can get it passed to remove corporate person-hood.

[-] 2 points by FriendlyObserverB (1871) 12 years ago

I understand. Go for it !

[+] -6 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Every Day.

[-] 0 points by pewestlake (947) from Brooklyn, NY 12 years ago

The momentum is building but we need to get the language right the first time. Please see this thread:

Money is not Speech; Corporations are not People

http://occupywallst.org/forum/fixing-cu-v-fec-the-constitutional-way/

[+] -7 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

I have and I took part as all who care should.


[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (4326) from Coon Rapids, MN 3 days ago

I signed them all then I sent the package out on Facebook and twitter.

Take part in the Peoples lobby.

Participate in direct action.

This is another way another tool to move forward.

We move forward - TOGETHER.

Unite in Common Cause! ↥like ↧dislike reply edit delete permalink

[-] 2 points by pewestlake (947) from Brooklyn, NY 12 years ago

Yeah that was more for the visitors who stop by. Thanks for keeping the torch going.

[+] -7 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

You too. I do the same, put stuff out multiple times.

It is so very important and not everyone sees the same posts.

It also allows others opportunities to consider their position and perhaps take part.

[-] 2 points by pewestlake (947) from Brooklyn, NY 12 years ago

Precisely.

[+] -7 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Gotta circulate to educate.

[+] -7 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

See also: [-] 1 points by Puzzlin (2042) 19 minutes ago

Please and sign this petition as well:

http://movetoamend.org/

This really is at the core of what OWS has been saying all along. This will NOT end until this crap is over-turned, we need to stay active in politics and never stop. We let these rich greedy fat cats take control of our country. They turned into a casino and when they lost the chips they balanced their sheets on the backs of the middle class and poor.

Many like me weren't just woken up last year. We been at all our lives and it has become my life to always vote and yell from the mountains when injustices occur. It has always seemed we have never been able to stop the madness but this madness won't stop me from railing against it every step of the way! For the realist, this world is cold and cruel. We can only hope to stem the tide, but it's it worth everything to do it.

[+] -8 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Citizens United - update 3/20/2012

Dan,

We're excited to announce that Move to Amend has launched our new website! Please come take a look - http://MoveToAmend.org.

Our new site was designed to help our web presence match the ramped up organizing we've been doing over the past several months. The new features we've built will help even more people connect with the campaign to amend the Constitution to establish that corporations are not people and money is not speech.

Check it out! New features include:

An interactive MTA Campaign Map that allows you to see all Move to Amend activity in your area: local MTA affiliate groups, endorsing organizations, events and resolutions. Pages for each of our 91 (and counting) Move to Amend local affiliate groups so that you can stay informed about the work your local community is doing to grow the movement to amend. A comprehensive and easy to use Take Action Toolkit to make it easy for anyone to get started taking action. In our toolkit you'll find information to start a new group, how to launch a resolution campaign, hosting events, and materials for doing creative actions like skits, freeway banners, and more, to educate and engage the public in your efforts.

These are just a few of the new features of our beautiful new website, and there are many more.

We're still making some final adjustments, but please take a look, and tell us what you think.

Yours for democracy,

Ben Manski, Daniel Lee, David Cobb, Egberto Willies, Jerome Scott, Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap, Laura Bonham, Leesa "George" Friday, Lisa Graves, Nancy Price, Stephen Justino

Move to Amend National Executive Committee

MOVE TO AMEND PO Box 610, Eureka CA 95502 | (707) 269-0984 | www.MoveToAmend.org

We, the People of the United States of America, reject the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling, and move to amend our Constitution to firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.

[-] 1 points by ThunderclapNewman (1083) from Nanty Glo, PA 12 years ago

Signed it, DK! Good work!

[+] -8 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Thanks I was just fortunate to see it. You deserve the congratulations for taking part. Even more if you can share it out to any other social network that you participate on.

Folks this is education, outreach and direct action all in one.

Use the tools that come to hand.

Spread the word.

Unite in common cause.

[+] -8 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

211,113 signatures as of 9:20am central 3/17/2012. Down with corporate personhood.

http://sanders.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=2100085383.557604.387&gen=1&mailing_linkid=46955

[+] -8 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Stockton California goes bankrupt.

How many towns cities and States will do the same as revenue is decimated by the practices of the corrupt Greedy. Foreclosed Homes Lost jobs underpaid workers. This all feeds a deficit in the flow of money. The flow which supports our communities schools Emergency Services Infrastructure like water treatment and sewage handling.

What more do people need to see to understand that this is their fight?