Forum Post: One Demand: Take the Money out of Politics!
Posted 12 years ago on Oct. 23, 2011, 2:01 p.m. EST by freakydimitri
(13)
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One Demand: Take the Money out of Politics!
The rest takes care of itself. Lets Stay Focused on the big picture. Once you have a clean process with true representation you can enact meaningful reform in every sector!! This is about getting Wall Street and corporate money out of OUR democracy!! Then the honest discussion can begin.
spread it....
In my opinion, the heart of the issue is campaign finance reform. We need to have all political campaigns funded by the taxpayers from a separate fund. An amount would be designated say: 50 million dollars or 25 or whatever is a reasonable amount to actually travel and give speeches, and provide security for the candidates etc. And that NO OTHER MONEY be used, and that any contribution from ANY private donor big or small be made unlawful. AND REMOVE SPECIAL INTEREST LOBBIES from Washington. THEN we can begin to re-center American Democracy around the electoral process and the actual WILL of the people. Right now, politicians tell their "constituents" what they want to hear and make all of the promises they need to make, and then, newly elected (or re-elected) arrive in Washington and are immediately cornered and overwhelmed by all of the special interests that actually funded their campaign and dictate policy, and these politicians no longer connect "doing the will of the people" with "being a successful politician." Campaign financing and the lobbyists who OWN Washington, and every politician on both sides of the so-called “aisle” in their back pockets: THIS is the straw that is stirring this corrupt drink right now. Our leaders no longer need to act in the interests of the people they serve. Moreover, it is actually political suicide for them to do so. THAT, I feel, is a good "starting point" for one of this beautiful and exhilarating movement's central demands. REFORM CAMPAIGN FINANCE and ELIMINATE LOBBYISTS from Washington now...
Agreed 100%. We are getting distracted by political parties that divide us. This goal unites us.
I feel this soooo strongly after visiting the park last night-- such a vital diverse and inspired movement but the Universal message of "We are the 99% " will be lost in a sea of grievances.
We have a universal demand to be heard above the voice of corporations and big$$. if you are for more taxes or less taxes, universal healthcare or "pay as you go care", get out of Afghanistan or bomb Libya....it doesnt matter because you're NOT being heard. You will be taxed and provided as little or as much care and fight as many wars as as is in the best interest of those that have a voice= $$. One demand : "Take the Money out of Politics" or "No Wall Street on Capitol Hill"........
I also had a wakeup call, actually from engaging in political arguments on this forum.
"No Wall Street on Capitol Hill" - that's a new one for me, and sounds like an intriguing sign. "End Corporate Bribes" is another good one I think.
The original call for OWS from Adbusters was "we vow to end the monied corruption of our democracy". It might be a boring cause, but if people understand how it causes their own pet problems, they should be willing to unite behind it.
how does someone get elected with no money?
Take your vote away from the money.
Just like people are taking money out of WS banks, we can take our votes away politicians who get the most WS money. If politicians who got the most donations from the 1% started losing with any consistency, it would change their approach so fast!
Vote away from Wall Street!
I like that. If we can provide a voting block that will only vote "away from Wall St".....
Then please talk to everyone who might be receptive. There is real power in word of mouth.
http://www.nycga.net/groups/political-and-electoral-reform/docs/amendment-28-to-the-constitution-of-the-united-states-of-america
"ARTICLE—
"SECTION 1. We the people who ordain and establish the rights protected by the Constitution of the United States to be the rights of natural persons.
"SECTION 2. The words people, person, or citizen as used in this Constitution do not include corporations, limited liability companies and other private entities established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign state.
"SECTION 3. Such entities not identified as a "natural persons" in SECTION 2. of this Amendment, shall be prohibited from making contributions or expenditures to, for or against, any candidate for public office or to, for or against, publicly elected official or to, for or against, any legislation before the Congress, the Senate or the people.
"SECTION 4. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit the people’s rights of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, free exercise of religion, freedom of association and all such other rights of the people, which rights are inalienable.".
Very well said freakydimitri and wehavedemands: The root of the problem is getting the money out of politics (www.getmoneyout.com)
Please repost your message over and over and over until the masses understand. Keep it simple - that is what attracts the majority since not too many people like to read, don't mean to offend anyone but I see it everyday at work. People are more interested in what's happening with Kim Kardashian than to what's happening to their country their future.
Additionally, as of my post there were 14 comments and I am so happy to see that they were all positive and in agreement. Imagine the possibilities of this simple but strong message bringing in us all together! God bless Occupy!
"For those who are at the protests now, PLEASE take this issue to the microphone on our behalf....it must be in the discussion for crafting demands....must" by-wehavedemands
how does someone get elected without any money?
by us.
with public funds
you are exactly right sir....spread it!!!!
For those who are at the protests now, PLEASE take this issue to the microphone on our behalf....it must in the discussion for crafting demands...MUST....
That can't happen in this system. We can, however, vote for whoever the 1% likes less. It would make the "big money" a liability and get their attention.