Our Constitutional Amendment: Get Money Out of Politics
August 19, 2011Sign our petition to Get Money Out of Politics at www.GetMoneyOut.com
It’s time to get things done and finally get money out of politics. Our Washington insider Jimmy Williams is now preparing a Constitutional amendment to get big money from special interests out of our political system. We all know that they buy access and influence through campaign contributions, and benefit from the big payoffs (examples: Wall Street, health care, banking) and, of course, provide a lucrative revolving door to soften the blow when elected officials leave office.
Steps are already being taken by some big names. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz urged fellow CEO’s and campaign donors this week to boycott campaign contributions until the parties actually do something constructive to fight long term fiscal concerns and the jobs crisis. Former PA Gov. Ed Rendell has said he will support it as well:
There are so many legislators who have said to me, gosh, if I could vote in secret, I could vote for your proposal Governor because I know it’s the right thing to do. But I can’t do it. The other side will raise money on it and kill me. And that’s what’s so important — it is so important to get the influence of money out of politics. Because if you get the influence of money out of politics, we will get people who will actually vote their conscience. And I think that’s extraordinarily important. You’re right to say it’s not the lobbyists… but it is the money that perverts the entire process…. I would be interested in Jimmy’s drafting the amendment.
Jimmy is hard at work on our amendment, but we want to hear from you. What do you want to see in this amendment? What else do we do to get money out of politics? Send us a message via this form or email us at MadAsHell@DylanRatigan.com, and we’ll post the best ideas on Monday and Tuesday.
We have already gotten a huge response from all over the country about this amendment. Here’s what people have to say:
Robert Wilson: “Fostered by the influence of money at every level of government, compromise suffers. Nothing ever really gets done. Whether problems are social or economic or whether policies require regulation or deregulation, the job of governing our country should be entrusted to those who aren’t tempted by money. The current system is an insult to the Founding Fathers.”
Don: “I can’t believe it took this long for someone to propose a constitutional amendment to limit campaign spending. It took me about 1 micro second after the Supreme Court ruling which allowed unlimited contributions from large corporations to political campaigns to figure that out: if the court interprets the Constitution that way, we just have to change the Constitution. I’m really looking forward to seeing how far this goes.
Gordon: “The corporate manipulation of politics is actually counter to the “free market” concept where the market is free to determine which businesses provide real value to the consumers. A truly “free market” is based on transparency and free from the collusion of lobbying and back room deals.”
Kylee: “I hear many people say that we can’t accomplish things that sound insurmountable, but if we look back on Americas past, we have to say this just isn’t so…. What we have to remember is that freedom isn’t free and if we sit back long enough, sure enough someone will work to take it away from us, and once again we must fight. “
Karen Rose: “Imagine if 100 million people not only signed on to asking for a Constitutional Amendment, but also took a pledge vowing not to vote for ANY national candidate unless they voiced public support for this amendment. Corporations may be people in the eyes of the SCOTUS, but, as of yet, they still cannot vote, WE DO!”
In the meantime, be sure to follow Jimmy on Twitter for the latest on our amendment — let him know you appreciate his hard work!
Gov. Rendell and Dylan had an excellent conversation on the topic on Wednesday. If you missed it, watch the clip here and get caught up:
Publicly fund all federal elections, and do it with a flat $25 annual tax on all wage earners, regardless of their income level. My numbers may be inaccurate and my math might not jibe with yours, but the government could amass about $4 billion annually with such a tax. Dole it out to the candidates after they have met specific criteria, and when it's gone, it's gone. Audit all campaigns. Make the candidates budget carefully to get the biggest bang for their (limited) bucks, and maybe then we will be spared the barrage of robocalls and cheap-shot negative television ads that seem to air on a continuous loop.
Yes, but it shouldn't be doled out "first come first served" I needs to be dealt in equal proportions to each candidate in the race. How to decide what the criteria are for entering? Not sure… anyone who wants a slice? I guess maybe hold prelim polls and divide the $$ between the top 5 candidates? I have no clue.
Public funding and making private contributions illegal and punishable. Also, give TV stations a little write off for these political ads if they air them free or at low cost.
No write off for t.v. Airing debates is a PUBLIC SERVICE and the airwaves are OURS. Political ads are worthless if the last 40 years of politicking is any indicator so we probably can do quite well without them. Real debates aired in the public good.
I agree that publicly financed elections are the way to go and your parameters sound reasonable and doable. The details can be hammered out, but we can't continue allowing wealthy "donors" buying favors from our politicians. They need to be free to focus on their jobs, which is to govern our nation.
We have become so deeply corrupt. We've been left with a choice: we either end the corruption or accept the end of our democracy. It is one or the other.
The content of your reply definetly needs to be considered as part of the final product.
I hear many people say that we can't accomplish things that sound insurmountable, but if we look back on americas past, we have to say this just isn't so. It is, We the People, through our blood and sweat that have made this country great. We have lived for so long not having to fight for freedom that many of us have forgotten how. What we have to remember is that freedom isn't free and if we sit back long enough, sure enough someone will work to take it away from us, and once again we must fight. This is only the first step but we must do all we can to protect our democracy from those who are working to change it into a corporlist society, where all of america will be for sale and then run by corporations for profit. Profits don't love or care for anyone, profits only breed greed for more profits. Please everyone, lets get this signed and sent in and get the first step completed, then we will move on to fight the good fight because United we Stand, Divided we Fall, this is what we do well, and we have our past to prove it.
Very well said. If there are enough Americans out there that think as you do, we may have a chance. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Terry White
Kyleewonder. Who would have thought that the greatest threat to freedom would come from within, when all along we were distracted by the middle east. It's almost like the right had it planned all along!!
And it's easy to forget you have to fight for your freedom from despots in your own country, when they keep telling us that we are free already. It's a giant conundrum that can frustrate and remove hope. And it won't change until the entire conversation changes, and that is why I fought for Obama. I have been fighting all my life and nothing changes. The Tea Party holds the right hostage, who holds Obama and the economy hostage, which holds the liberal base hostage. We need more than and ammendment, we need to start taking hostages, (in the most legal and non-violent means, you understand!!!). If it is fear that they use to control, then fear must be used to fight that. There is no other way. Oh, and I mean like the least frightening fear we can come up with, in case anyone is listening and tracking me down. Don't be supprised if you don't hear from me again. Freedom my ass!!
I'm with you, kyleewonder. We have to learn to stand together strong and pragmatic. What we've had foisted onto us by uber "for profit" plutocrats, along with a well-financed, insidiously orchestrated propaganda design, is pure insanity that passes as a reasonable capitalist position. We are faced with a choice: either do nothing and watch America die, or fight back. Fighting back will be extremely hard, but for me it won't be as hard as sitting back and watching my beloved country being extracted into oblivion before my very eyes.
Bravo to you for exhibiting the spirit of America that is still in the majority of us. We The People of this great nation will and can do this, and will take this country back to the premise of Life, Liberty and JUSTICE FOR ALL. We have been stripped internally by our own Congress of our freedoms and fortunately, our founding fathers have left us this marvelous Constitution, a work in progress, that is the foundation for JUSTICE FOR ALL. It is not about perfection, it is not about ego, it is not about dissent, it is about JUSTICE AND THE POSSIBILITY ALWAYS FOR JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS, and OPPORTUNITIES, FOR YOU AND I AND EVERYONE IRREGARDLESS OF RACE, CREED, GENDER, ETC. This is the evolution of our greatness! We always keep one premise above ourselves for this nations greatness, and that is justice… we always come back to this premise when we all know it is being threatened, as we do now. United we stand… and I stand with you, with all my fellow Americans who want to give each and every one of us citizens the opportunities we have grown to cherish through the dreams of our founding fathers. I will not let this dream die. I hope none of you will either. We owe this fight to our children, our grandchildren and to humanity.
Here's the plan to fix our government:
1. Flat tax- cut all the loop holes, make it fair and simple ,
2. Each candidate gets a fixed amount from a fund created and administered by the two major parties to run for office. People can choose to support democrats, republicans, both or none. source of money is blind to canidates.
3. Term limits- elimate professional politicians. (Bob Dole never worked a day in his life (pre-retirement) outside of govrnment, he retired a multi-millionaire)
4. Balanced budget-any money borrowed must be paid back within the budget. Loan payments are in the budget just like yours and mine are
5. If Congress and the President decide that we need to go to war they must approve a "war tax" to pay for that war.
These thing are direct and simple.
5. If Congress and the President decide that we need to go to war they must approve a “war tax” to pay for that war …
and they must join the front line as well until such war is OVER…
(example…. drive the support vehicles)
Agreed. Any eligible family member of the lawmaker who elects to go to war must enlist in the military. It’s pathetic they send our citizens to foreign lands to fight for their disagreements and inability to resolve conflicts. All under the word of patriotism
1 – Hmmm, maybe, but only if you eliminate excise taxes which are responsible for turning a "flat tax" into a regressive tax
2- We cannot trust anything administered by the two major parties, this needs to be gov or 3rd party admin. The two party system is broken and we can't afford to give it that support.
3,4,5 – amen brotha, although it would seem wise to allow for 10yr deficits to allow for increased spending in times of recession/depression
re 2. We need more than 2 parties. If we're going to fix this, lets really fix this. The rest of your ideas are based on politics. This isn't about politics and tax policies.
All good ideas, except for the administration by the two major parties. I believe the two major parties have far outlived their usefulness to the democracy, in that they serve themselves at the expense of the electorate. To put it in terms of the "Peter Principle", their "Maturity Quotient" is way too high. Time to dismantle those incestuous clubs and rebuild something transparent (which is to say more democratic, or even more republican) out of the recycled material. The "money-out-of-politics" amendment is a great idea and I support it, but I think it is but one of many symptoms of the corrupt (i.e. self-serving) political parties that have been around far too long.
OK, I agree with the need for a 3rd party…or some other revision that removes the power from the cureent 2 parties.
What about the third parties and independents? Do the Constitution, libertarian, green, socialist, etc… Parties get equal funding? If not then we no longer have anything remotely resembling a democracy. Not that we do now….
I would agree with this for the most part, but would also add that #6 should be that should congress and/or the president decide that we need to go to war, then there will be a draft also. All too often the battles of this country are fought by those who are predominantly in a lower socioeconomic level than those who are sending them. I believe in the principle of shared sacrifice. Especially in this arena. Those who send our youth should have their own kids in harms way as well.
I've been talking about this for years. Another option is to look at why the money is needed – TV advertising or propaganda. Either way, any amendment will have to deal with "speech" whether real or created by the Supreme Court. I think labeling "Lobbyists" as Legal Bribers and and having Politicians actually wear a NASCAR type race suit showing their bribers would be my third choice.
I hope you and Jimmy coordinate with http://movetoamend.org – they seem to be a great organization with 130,00 signatories on a petition to draft the amendment, but, as far as I can see at their site and Facebook page, they haven't drafted one yet. They're also organizing around the country and will hold a "Democracy Convention" August 24-28, 2011 in Madison, Wisconsin. Their facebook page with even more info is http://www.facebook.com/Move2Amend. Check it out.
Movetoamend.org is a great organization and should be supported with fervor, but don't get their movement confused with the new amendment being drafted. Although they both focus on the same thing, they are two sides of the same hammer. Movetoamend is the hook trying to pull the nail out of the national coffin by SCOTUS Citizen United ruling. The new amendment is the blunt end trying to put something in it's place that is right and true. Both need to work together.
This is a great idea, but will probably work best if supported by other reforms.
So while it's great to remove money from politics, removing the need for money to get elected goes a long way towards making a complete, comprehensive reform more feasible and palatable.
Why do politicians need money in the first place? To outspend their rivals in buying ads. Therefore, if we make all campaign advertising illegal, it becomes much harder to influence candidates and sitting officials.
With today's information and social networking infrastructures in place, it is entirely possible for a candidate to become known and elected without spending a single dime, if only his rivals were forced to do the same.
I was mad as hell too, and I couldn't take it anymore, so I wrote this proposal to outlaw campaign advertising, and some thoughts on how that would work, a couple of weeks ago:
https://plus.google.com/101040304566189406671/pos…
The very first of those other reforms should be that we get together and vote OUT every member of Congress. No more incumbents and while they would never pass term limits, we can do that ourselves.
Is it possible to get 100M people involved – and would they each give $1 — $100Mil will help the effort get organized, publicised and passed.
It must begin with the "media".G-d only knows what they charge for commercial time.They must drool every election.Ilove my country,but it is very sad to see what we have become.We must basically start over.After all this is what the "Greedy Bastards are telling us anyway!
That is why the day of the election, the news media is already talking the next election and which loser might try again. The SAME day. $4 BILLION dollars in 2008.
Our elected officials (most) are bought and paid for by big corporations, lobbyists, and rich individual donors, We need:
Public Financing -campaign contributions to a general fund only. No direct contribution to individual candidates.
Term Limits for all (perhaps six year terms).
Limited campaigning period.
Restrictions on working for lobbyists until perhaps six years after leaving office.
Restrictions on working as lobbyists for 10 years after leaving office, and violation of their pension and insurance if they do become a lobbyist.
Here are some ideas any amendment should address:
1. Limit campaign periods to a few weeks.
2. Assign responsibility of campaign message and financing administration to the candidate via one single PAC
3. Limit ads with the candidate accepting responsibility
4. Make violations punishable by huge fines.
5. Establish certain qualifications a candidate must meet before becoming elible for public financing.
6. Public financing to be paid via a one time minimal annual tax
Any amendment must establish the independence of a candidate who meets the qualifications to stand for election. It must eliminate all financial influence of organizations, corporations, and the very rich at the cost of the one person-one vote principle.
Remember one thing, the media receives all that dirty money come election time and industry people such as Dylan Ratigan with the balls to defy the moguls who own their stations are rare. That's why this will probably have to be an 'end run' around the establishment and a massive internet movement.
As a foreigner, I am completely dumbfounded that the campaign for a presidential election in 15 months has already been underway for months! America must have the longest, most intensive campaign process in the world and not only does it cost so many hundreds of millions in bribes, it doesn't produce competent candidates. Shorten the campaign season!
I am an American, and I couldn't agree more. When the topic of U.S. elections comes up, people from other countries cringe at the amount of time spent on campaigns here in America. I believe in England it is limited to one month and the amount of money is limited as well. Sorry, can't recall what that amount was. It is very little compared to this country.
It's time for citizens to begin publicly demanding that media begin giving attention to this movement. It's a national disgrace that there is no, none, nada, mention of this movement in our media. Even Dylan's own network fails to promote The Dylan Ratigan Show, even though it's been said that it's audience holds possibility to dwarf that of American Idol's during it's best days. Speak up Americans. Make them aware of us!
Senior Citizen
Demanding anything from the Corporate owned media is like whistling in the wind. Don't you know by now that they control everything we see and especially what they don't want "we the People" to know about.
MSNBC's phone number is 1-212-664-4444. You can connect to every MSNBC news show through that phone number and leave the message that we demand that they mention the amendment on every show.
What I'd like to witness; media showing citizens in public places carrying signs asking "who is Dylan Ratigan".
It wouldn't hurt if Lawrence,Rachel,Chris,Al,and Ed signed on to this cause and gave this subject a little air time. Joe and Mika and Chuck Todd could give it a morning boost as well. As much as I hate Fox so called news if somebody could catch the attention of their viewers on this it might make some difference. The Fox viewers tend to watch ONLY Fox (at least those that I have spoken to) so they won't tune in to MSNBC for the most part. O'Reilly does have a huge audience and if we could get Dylan or some other smart reasonable person to pitch this idea on O'Reilly's show it could pick up more steam.
Dylan, I have followed you on CNBC and always thought you to be level headed and on the peoples side. Thank you so much for bringing this to the forefront. We Americans need to rise up and stop all this crap going on in Washington. I have never been afraid to be living in America, but with the shape we are in I worry about our future and my childrens future. This is a good start to one of the biggest waste of American money. I stand with you 100%
This is an awesome idea. I don't see how the SCOTUS citizens United decision is even constitutional. A corporation is not a person. It is not born, doesn't go to school, get married, have children it doesn't have a SS# can't serve in the military, doesn't get sick, doesn't die. A corporation is a is a legally created entity that provides protection from lawsuits, among other things. I would think an amendment to the constitution that clearly and concisely defines what a person is would put an end to the SCOTUS ruling in a heartbeat. The part where money equals speech should be grounds to overturn. If 2% of Americans own 50% of the wealth, how can we all have EQUAL rights to free speech????
Lets make sure we close the revolving door between government and lobbying firms, financial industry, too. If you are working in the government you need to sign a contract stating you won't go to work at a lobbying firm, or take a nice cushy position on the board of a bank, etc. for a designated time period. (two years?) That way we won't have people pushing through legislation, or refusing to investigate certain SEC violations in exchange for jobs. It is a direct conflict of interest and it happens all the time.
I almost agree with you, Lori, except for the contract part. A contract or any other form of binding promise means nothing to the morally bankrupt, corruption-rotted slime oozing throught the revolving door. Instead of "Contract", may I humbly suggest "Prosecute"?
If money is the root of all evil, then nowhere is it more evident then in our government. I would love to sign a petition to amend the constitution and return the government to the people.
When I first heard Mr Shultz talk about this last week or so I was dumbfounded, what a wonderfull idea. I'm a senior Senior, where have I been? Mea culpa.Go get 'em Mr Ratigan and all you finally "getting it". More power to you.
I.B.
As for campaigning, lower the hassle for many people to run and cap the number someone can spend on their campaign (including their own) so that they have to budget and that people have better representatives to vote for, because I believe that in our government system, but not our politicians. We need better representatives.
As for when in government, full disclosure of money that goes into a politicians hands. Encourage the media to feature more of the money that gets in these hands and what politicians are doing with it.
Looking forward to this, Mr. Williams. Don't let me down.
I fully support this constitutional amendment approach. It is the only way around a Supreme Court dominated by corporate lawyers. We have had instances in our past where Teddy Roosevelt, the trust busting republican and his beloved cousin, FDR, a democrat, put the corporate Frankenstein back in the box. It is never easy, but it has to be done, for the sake of democracy. While citizens need to be forever vigilant, I'm sick and tired corporate arrogance monster and an outrageous majority on the Supreme Court that who have given them the same rights as citizens. Let's make this permanent with a constitutional amendment. I'll leave it up to the constitutional scholars to parse the wording, but I will contribute financially and do work as needed to support this effort. To quote a patriot "give me liberty or give death!" Thank you Mr Ratigan!
Amen William Pribcem we need more men like Teddy & FDR who know what a monster the corporate Frankenstein is. I thought we had one in Obama, but he is just as bad as the rest of the bunch in DC. I too am sick and tied of the arrogance of the corporate monser and the majority of the Supreme Court of idiocy giving them the same rights as citizens.
The question on how to word such an amendment is considerably challenging, though it's the best politically related idea I've heard in a long time. I've always felt that the best way to end money's corrupting influence on our government would be to enact publicly financed elections. The catch is that such legislation would never be passed, and it would be difficult to formulate a Constitutional amendment requiring the public to finance elections because a US "election" is a Hydra sporting many heads wearing many different faces. Perhaps this is what Jimmy Williams is targeting?
Because I'm so intellectually invested in the publicly financed election idea it's hard to think of another route that would be more conducive for scripting into a Constitutional amendment. I'm extremely curious about what Jimmy Williams comes up with. Because so much of our elections are now funded by sources that claim to be "outside" of a candidate's campaign, I'm afraid "outside" money will completely takeover election funding if we don't do anything about that while zeroing in on candidates' direct donations.
So the question is–to state the obvious–how do you word a Constitutional amendment that has the goal of ending our quid pro quo corrupt system of government? Is it best to keep it simple, or would it be better to try to cover all corners to eliminate, or try to eliminate, ways of circumventing the amendment? Jimmy Williams, you're a better man than me because I'm stumped.
I do think it should include a prohibition on members of Congress leaving Congress and going to work for companies that have lobbied them, and even that would prove to be tough to word. How far do you make the restriction? I definitely think they should have to give up all of their Congressional retirement benefits if they go to work for ANYONE. I don't think that would be unreasonable, though that alone would not solve the problem because the money our ex-Congressmen make often dwarfs what they receive from their retirement package.
Perhaps it can be attacked by disallowing Senators and Congressmen to accept any money from any industry directly affect by the committees they serve on. But even that could get complicated.
These are the kinds of problems that lead me back to publicly financed elections. Settle on a certain amount of money for presidents, senators, and congressmen; let them use that money to present themselves and their ideas to the public; give them several forums to make their cases; and from there we can choose who we want representing us.
It's tough. Like I said, I'm very anxious to see what Jimmy Williams comes up with. Something has got to be done about the corruption in our government. Thank you, Dylan, for your attention to this issue. It has gotten so bad that our government is dysfunctional and makes a mockery of representative government. One way or another we won't be able to continue like this. It really is the #1 issue our country faces right now because no other issues, like job creation, can be properly addressed in a way in which the solution is in the best interests of the American people, and not just 1% of them.
Well that dude makes no senseat all man.
http://www.total-anon.at.tc
All TV and radio broadcasters are licensed by the FCC because the airwaves belong to the people. Why then do elected officials need to raise millions to buy air time? All broadcasters should be required to air political spots for all candidates EQUALLY and FOR FREE for 2 months prior to an election as a public service in order to qualify for their FCC license and no political ads should be allowed to run at any other time. This will limit campaign costs to almost nothing and also limit the time a sitting elected official spends on their campaign instead of working.
And pay royalties to the taxpayers.
Pay royalties to the public for use of the public airwaves.
Pay public royalties for use of the public airwaves.
This is a generational moment. People are forcing changes all around the world right now, and Dylan and Jimmy have created an opportunity for us to make big changes in our country that will have big impacts for a long time. This is a challenge for all of us who are paying attention. When this amendment is presented, its going to take some effort from all of us to get the 100 million people to sign on to this. If ever there was a time to be politically active, its now. If we can get all of our friends and even our grandparents to look at a skateboarding dog on youtube, then we should be able get these same people to sign on to this amendment. Everyone wants to stop the corruption. This is our time, we can do this!
May be we could also co-ordinate with Steven Colbert's SUPER -PAC to get the word out on this!
FINALLY……..get the FRIGGING money out of politics!!!!!!! Someone FINALLY gets it. Sign me up….let's take Washington DC back from the lobbyists.
And next up…..lets take the SEC back from the large investment houses.
Our government was founded as a representative democratic republic. If the representatives can't represent, unconstrained by outside money, we lose our republic!!! We all need to fix this mess before it's too late. Ed Rykken
Thank you, Dylan, for speaking the truth. Please keep this issue alive and in the forefront. Also, PLEASE SPEAK TO LAWRENCE LESSIG (one of your guests said he was a friend of his), who has been working on increasing awareness of this issue and already plans to call for a Constitutional Convention and has already – I think – drafted an amendment that would be the working document to start with. I’ve been fantasizing about this very possibility (all money OUTTA politics) for years and am so excited at the thought that we could ACTUALLY make this happen. My thoughts:
First, eliminate all “parties” and, therefore, “partisanship” and a good deal of “politics as usual”, in one fell swoop. Parties have become an anachronism. There’s such a broad philosophical range in each category, you can’t tell “what kind” of Democrat/Republican someone is simply by their party-identification anymore.
Second, reform the entire campaign process, not just campaign “finance”.
Roughly, it would look something like this:
1. Eliminate all “parties” and “party identification”. All candidates would be judged as “individuals” on the basis of their previous experience, their positions on a slate of issues, and past voting records (where applicable). Hopefully, this would result in Congressional representatives working together, clustering around common interests on a particular issue, rather than “party lines”.
2. Elections would be re-claimed by the public: removed from the “moneyed interests” realm and positioned squarely where it should be, in the hands of the public. Elections would be conducted like a “hiring process”, on a national scale. We, the people, would be (are supposed to be) the hiring authority. For example:
A. All voters would pay a minimal, annual “elections” flat tax/flat fee (same fee for all, equal playing field). This would be the total and only money available for the election process. Individual candidates would not raise money.
B. Candidates’ resumes, prior experience, positions on a slate of interests, and voting records, if applicable, would be posted and publicized via internet, newspapers, direct mailers. The Public would learn where to go to obtain info/learn about the candidates.
C. Candidates would have regularly scheduled appearances on public television/public radio throughout the year leading up to the election to introduce themselves and their positions on issues. Perhaps there would be an interviewer… all candidates would be asked the same questions. Candidates would be allowed to talk about themselves only (not the other candidates) and that’s it!
D. There would be no stumping on the campaign trail, no townhalls, no campaign ads, and no “debates” (in their current form).
I know it sounds like heresy, but I assure you I’m not crazy; just extremely frustrated and imagining how things might be.
I also think it would be a good idea to get ALL current organizations (that would agree this is an idea worth fighting for) to UNITE and combine their memberships under one umbrella, rather than multiple, fragmented groups (as is current practice). Have that one, united organization circulate a petition and let’s get to the 100,000,000 mark NOW! This is the perfect time in history to get this done!
Thanks again for bringing this to the forefront.
Make sure the Amendment contains a provision that states in NO UNCERTAIN TERMS that corporations cannot be considered “legal person”.
IOW, the concept of personhood is strictly limited to individual human beings.
Dylan I think you have one of the most brilliant shows on T.V. and you actually talk about solutions to problems rather than whine about the problems. I would like to see you get together and invite people into this conversation like Bernie Sanders and Thom Hartmann and Randi Rhodes and Rachel Maddow and Ed Schultz, Al Sharpten and others. What I like about your Amendment is that all people whether you are far right or left or in the middle should be able to understand the concept of Banning money in Politics and should also agree with the sentiment that we need to ban the money unless they are commenting on here and they work for the Koch Brothers or other Billionaires. I think also you need to work with http://www.movetoamend.org and somehow put pressure on the Supreme Court to repeal Citizens United. I believe in you Dylan I don't think you are speaking for Corporations and I think you are aligned with people like Teddy Roosevelt and FDR. Please the only way forward is to get money out of politics. I am all for this and anyway I can help I am there. People said we couldn't get Barack Obama elected and look what happened. For all of you naysayers out there please move to the side because we have a lot of work to do in this country or move over and let us clean up the mess. Grab a mop everyone it is time to clean up our system and get rid of the biggest problem in this country Money in Politics.
I think after this Amendment is passed and we have publicly financing of elections then what we need to do is give any candidate that wants to run for office the same amount as everyone else. Then each of the candidates can spend there stipen of money how they want to whether it is direct mail or television or radio advertising where ever they want to spend the money. But everyone gets equal amount. If anyone breaks the new law they go to jail for life no exceptions.
Corp money in politics has become so endemic, there is no peaceful way to entirely eradicate it. There ARE ways to fight it but sadly, Americans have become conditioned to be fearful so will not step outside their sheepish comfort zones to combat it.
Imagine if everyone refused to pay taxes until we got a Constitutional amendment banning Corp donations whether cash or in-kind from politics? Could “they” possibly imprison 300-million people? Imagine if everyone refused to go to work until the same goal was achieved? Oh no, you might get fired, and how would you pay your bills? No, can’t do that. Ok, imagine if everyone took care of each other locally with co-ops, barter systems, a functioning local economy of choice, even your own form of currency if need be; where the corporations and the wares they hawk had no place? And the choice of last resort, our own Tahrir square on a massive, national scale. Who among Americans has the guts for that? No? Ok, sit down, shut up, quit whining and just keep bleeting for your sheep herders! Americans won’t get Corps out of politics until they move beyond their fears, and grow a backbone…instead of hiding behind the status quo, mindlessly parroting how we’re the “greatest nation on Earth.” And on that point, how many of you blindly singing that refrain have ever been anywhere outside your own town? State? The country? Yeh, I thought not. Pffft!
Follow @StopTheMach2011 and their web site http://october2011.org If you really want change, be in DC on Oct 6th to help start the process. If “they” don’t see or hear you, you don’t exist!
Since corporations are people, limit them to $2500/year like the rest of us.
As I read these comments I fail to recognize one citizen stating public resolve to undertake personal actions aimed at bringing public media attention to this movement. We're extolling how great such action is, without recognizing that it's useless without more than great active participation by us. Who's going to be interested in such amendment, this isn't the first time, without great, make that super great citizen reaction? Allow me to be first by resolving to spend at least 15 minutes daily, until we receive change, on my computor, in public demonstration, whatever we can do. Rest assured that it's going to take more e-mails than ever before in history to become recognized as serious. Take note that almost every citizen seeks reform yet not one media has given attention to this movement. Would 100,000, a million, e-mails grasp the attention of our government and media ownership? I think not, and as such we have much work to do.
Senior Citizen
Senior Citizen
Why can't we hijack PBS and NPR for the month of October and give whoever wants it equal time. Politicians want money for airtime. Give away the airtime for free and make it illegal to take a nickle from anyone. I love NPR & PBS however, these are taxpayer subsidized and I would gladly give up a month of quality viewing for real election reform.
The biggest hurdle are the very people (current elected officials) who have to get the ball rolling. They benefit most from the current money controlled system. When incumbents begin to hear more outrage from constituents and understand they are no longer shoo ins to be reelected, progress can be made. More citizens need to engage in the battle. The media needs to aggressively serve its ombudsman role. This will be a long hard battle but let’s go for it. Thanks Dylan.
I believe that no outside money should be allowed in a state election. Funds should be accepted from the people of that county, city, town, or region. If this law is broken, then huge fines or other punishment should be instituted.
No money at all should come from corporations because in fact they are not people, but more importantly, they are not "WE THE PEOPLE!"
Citizens United should be repealed immediately and checks and balances should be instituted for the Supreme Court WTF! They are not GODS!
This should keep us pretty busy I suspect.
Thank You!
We need to change dialogue on Republicans no tax stance – most of the US Representatives and Senators earn more than 250,000 a year – they are voting to not increase their taxes – they need to be shamed and held accountable !
People need to show up at their town hall meetings and rallies and hold them accountable !
But, this work the Republicans charge $30 to get in to a town hall meeting. With unemployment at 9.1 % who can afford to get in.
How about each corperation should pitch in and pay a million dollars a year, before you say anything, look, I just saved every corperation millions in campian donations. Downside, they will not be able to write thier own laws and maintaiin their monopolicy policiesl
It's bad enough that only 1 or 2 percent of us hold 90% of our nation's treasure. but it's even worse that they now have nearly total control over our lives? My hope for this proposal is that we the people can take the money out of politics so that Congress will again cast their votes for us, the public they represent, instead of their wallets. We, the 98% of the country need to make sure that Congress gets that message.
Not only do we need to get money out of the process,we need to limit the terms to 2 only. I've had people say to me this is not a good idea because the new people wouldn't understand the problems or the issues.ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? I think it's worth a try .I also thik we need a good indepentent for this next election,because we are ALL tired of the Republicans AND the Democrats.DO NOTHINGS!!!
How about putting some Wall Street crooks behind bars for inspiration? Two critical whistleblowers have come out this week to testify in Washington that a) Moody's padded their rating for their CDO trading buddies, and b) the SEC has consistently shredded thousands of documents once a "Matter Under Inquiry" has passed, so that the bankers most responsible for the crash of our economy can never be investigated again. We need to get these guys out of Washington and behind bars–that would inspire the American people to believe that they can turn the tide and get money out of politics. Why aren't these whistleblowers being covered in the news more? This is major. At least it should be.
The two Parties are two wings of the same corrupt bird. The consolidated news media are represented by the tail feathers. The once independent fourth estate that kept government honest is now integral to the bird of government. They are feathers of the same bird working together to keep their gig alive and flying far above the citizenry.
we the people have asserted ourselves to rid the influence of money over our government before. the society of the grange was born out of the midwestern farmer's revolt to end the abuse of the railroads and the banks in ripping the farmers off having beeen given a license to do so from the federal government that they directed to pass laws that allowed them to seize land and charge outrageous fees to bring their grain to silos. ther effort sparked the first 'grassroots' movement which led to the populist movement and the 'peoples party'. they elected congressmen, and senators, and sent them to washington. the two parties got the hint and the reforms of the turn of the century were implemented. when you hear the microphones say that 3rd parties are not successful it's a lie!
and let us not forget the success of the republican part which is still with us today.
we the people have asserted ourselves to rid the influence of money over our government before. the society of the grange was born out of the midwestern farmer's revolt to end the abuse of the railroads and the banks in ripping the farmers off having beeen given a license to do so from the federal government that they directed to pass laws that allowed them to seize land and charge outrageous fees to bring their grain to silos. ther effort sparked the first 'grassroots' movement which led to the populist movement and the 'peoples party'. they elected congressmen, and senators, and sent them to washington. the two parties got the hint and the reforms of the turn of the century were implemented. when you hear the microphones say that 3rd parties are not successful it's a lie!
GO DYLAN GO!!! GET THE SCUM OUT OF D.C.!!!
And I forgot KILL ALL THE LAWYERS!!! LOLLERS!!
Limit the amount that can be spent on a campaign to say 5 times what the office pays. If an office pays 500K a year the candidates can spend 2.5M. Ban policitcal ad on TV and radio(liquor and tobacco companies are banned). This way the big guys like the Kock boys can give as much as they want but the candidate can only spend a limited amount. Any excess goes to the government.Cheating mean lifetime ban from holding any office
Imagine how efficently congress would run if they were not obsessed with raising money and kissing the back sides of big donors.
YOU HAVE MY VOTE! We the people need to stop the country. shut down America is the only way they will listen. take all your money out of the back then get your gun and sit in a dark home and play board games! let them know we will turn out TV's on at noon every day if they want to do as we demand! yes this is a reverse strike, but if they have no one pushing the buttons or buying the oil they will give or we will take our government back. we only count if we become 1. separate we shall always fail. NO MORE BUYING ELECTIONS! NO MORE ONLY RICH CAN RUN FOR GOVERNMENT! WE DEMAND THIS!
Truth to Power.
Dylan and Jimmy, thanks for giving the people hope to right the ship.
We can do this. The power of the people united will overcome the power of money.
I agree with the sentiment expressed here.
I wonder however, if getting money out of politics is possible given the way corporations are structured. Isn't it written into coprorate charters that they are run for the benfit of the owners, the shareholders. If the management doesn't do everything in their power to further those ends then they get sued. Buying political influence is just another way to accomplish this.
If you take money out of politics I think you will eventually end up with a no party system, which would be fine with me. Or we can just start there and take away the need for money in politics. The two party system is a thing of the past. We have been oscillating back and forth for far too long and missing the opportunity to move straight forward. The majority of us are now rational and grounded independents. Isn’t it time to abolish this system? How long is it going to take before we learn from our successes and failures in order for us to stop experimenting with the development of the greatest country on earth? I am sick of all the lame old debates about two different ideologies on so many issues that have already been proven out over time. We have all the data we need to know what works and what doesn’t. And despite this nostalgic and superfluous two party system we have still managed to become a brilliant and knowledgeable society. It’s time to stop being so indecisive about our mission. If we can remove this impediment of two parties we would eliminate the very place that corruption and division breads. It would be nice to vote people into office based on their success, ideas to solve problems and goals for the future, not their outdated ideologies that may or may not fit into a right or left box. It would also be a very welcome change to take party persuasion out of our media and have adult conversations like the Dylan Ratigan show does. This may be too far down the road for most people to digest, but we must strive for solidarity!
DYLAN,I CAN'T WAIT TO SIGN THIS ADMENMENT! WE SHOULD ALL WANT TO CHANGE OUR GOVERNMENT,I WILL GO TO THE HALLS OF CONGRESS,AND PROTEST ANYWHERE I NEED TO TO GET THIS DONE! THE PEOPLE CAN DO THIS,AND WE WILL….COM'ON PEOPLE! TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY!!!
Limit the amount that can be spent to 5 times the salary of the position. The Koch boys can donate all they want to but any contributions that exceed the campaign ceiling goes to Uncle Sam. Prohibit media advertisements ( like the tobacco and liquor companies), and limit the time lobbyist can spend in Congress to 2 hours per day. Finally, all elected officials must adhere to a 90% attendance rate.
I'll bet these measures would shake things up and force these scumballs to start representing the voters.
The very fabric of this Country is disintegrating as the public watches. Long ago, the influence of "We the People" began to weaken and has slowly continued to degrade. We all watched ,sometimes shook our heads, and went on with our lives. It has now become glaringly obvious our Government works for those with the the deepest pockets. Corporations, emboldened, are using their influence to shut down our collective bargaining capabilities. We are quickly becoming irrelevant. With Corporation's guidance the Supreme court has made them more powerful and us less powerful. The work force can and is being move off shore for higher profits. Many of our factories have already gone, with many more to follow. Meanwhile, our government is making it harder for the less unfortunate to even be heard, by making "proof of U.S. citizenship" a much more difficult task.
I consider this attempt of constitutional change, possibly, our last "Hail Mary". I will support this cause any way I can. I hope all realize how important this is to take control of our way of life and our Country.
Select politicians from jury pool to remove money from politics.
Constitution commands removal from office for Bribery and Treason; campaign contributions and gifts and trips from corporations and lobbyists are Bribery per se.
War on US = Treason = wars on terror, drugs, women, middle class, Middle East, unions, …
Repeal & Prosecute Party
Thanks Dylan; I watch your show every day & I'm convinced you're onto something here. Throw in restrictions on Supreme Court Judges, who may be influenced by clandestine contributions as well. The law of the land is "One man,one vote", not "One dollar per Vote". All those Tea Party lackeys, hollering "return us to the Constitution", should get a taste of how it really is supposed to work. Our Constitution is a living document meant to change with the times, not clever words written on a tombstone. The worlds super rich & mega-international corporations have manipulated or political parties and have had their way with us for as long as I can remember. Time to act!
Get money out of Politics!! Where do I sign the petition. Let's get at it!!!
I have a radical I idea for fixing our present system of govt. I think we need a more wide open system where every American has a vote. Not just electing politician, but actually voting on major legislation that affect every american. Congress would still have a role as far as proposing and debate bills. However any Major piece of legistation presented before congress must approve by american citizens. Also no amendents can be added or removed without bieng approved by the american people. This would prevent any special interest group from have influence in a hand pick committee.
Here it is!!! Cast your vote through the following website and support DYLAN RATIGAN for President. We the People can change the "status quo" by the power of the vote. Lets put someone in office that would really be a voice of the people. If we don't unite and organize to fight back, our children are doomed to the economic slavery that is being imposed on us by the few at the top.
http://www.votecitizens.org/
Campaign Finance Reform or Fascism—that is everyone’s choice whether they know it or not.
We have a corrupt system. Changing the players without changing the system is just a waste of time.
Campaign Reform would heal the split of the American people that big money has encouraged in order to weaken us and keep us fighting with each other.
It is the fault of lying politicians, our media, and most of all our ignorant, stupid citizens whose line of thought is no longer than a bumper sticker.
Blaming this and that politician does no good. The blame lies ultimately on American citizens.
Campaign Finance Reform can be done but everyone must be made to realize that it has to be first and foremost, otherwise any improvements will either be non-existent or temporary at the best. (just wait for the next election)
Until EVERYONE starts talking and blogging and marching for Campaign Reform we are just spinning our wheels discussing anything that might challenge the special interests.
Great idea by another poster to get Stephen Colberts super-pac behind this!
IDO SUPPORT THIS AMMENT WE DO NEED TO GET MONEY OUT OF GOVT. NOTHING GET DONE IT IS A WASTE OF MONEY SPECIAL INT. IS RUINING THIS COUNTRY.WE CAN DO THIS. I AM GLAD SOME PEOPLE ARE SPEAKING UP.
i do support a ament. to get money out of the govt. and support the people who is standing up for this
My girlfriend always goes "awwwwwwww" *sniffle* *sniffle* when she watches the commercial of abused/neglected dogs with Sarah Mclachlan singing in the background. But not once has she donated money or donated time to volunteer at an animal shelter.
The amount of time/money that somebody spends to protect their interest is the only objective way we can gauge whose interest should be protected. Democracy is tug of war and it's counterproductive to try and dictate how hard somebody can tug on the rope. Why would we want the side that cares less to win? We want the side that cares the most to win.
Limiting campaign contributions is as absurd as limiting the amount of hours that people can volunteer for campaigns.
That being said I'm here because I strongly support taking money out of politics. But my solution is to allow tax payers to skip the middlemen. If tax payers are not happy with how congress is spending their money then they should have the freedom to directly allocate their individual taxes among the various government organizations.
A division of labor between tax payers will reveal the ideal division of labor between the public and private sectors.
Get money out of Politics
sign me up asap, get money out!!!! the people have got caught up in the BS
and forgeting about liberty and justice for all.
I'm all for it, but tell me how I sign up!
I have given money in the past and did so based on philosophical similarities akin to my own, only to find out later the candidate was just part of the same bunch of the self oriented money grubbing political cesspool. I will never give money again…after the Obama debacle! Keepo up the good work Dylan and Jimmy!
please submit my name for dylan rarigan
Sign me up.
Money has obviously corrupted our national politics. Untill we GET THE MONEY OUT most all of us are screwed. It's a must !!! Thank you Jimmy and Dylan !!! I'll vote to GET THE MONEY OUT !!!
This is getting to real messy. Some of these politicians are being payed by specail interest , avoiding what should be done for the American people, like jobs grouth, education, healcare, good roads insted of lining their pockets.
Heaven help us if this amendment is not passed. The rich will get richer and the rest of us will be poor until there is another bloody revovlution.
The best of luck to you, Dylan. This could present an opportunity to return our politics to statesmen and women who lead according to their own beliefs and consciences rather than by following the wishes of their big contributors. In fact, politicians should support the Amendment strongly, in order to free them from the endless rounds of fundraising and campaigning that currently consume their schedules and interfere with the business of governing our troubled land.
I’ve been saying this for a very long time. So I am ready….WHERE DO I SIGN!!!!!!
Dylan,
I think the majority of people in this country will be with you, all the way. We needed someone like you to wake us up. Thanks, we'll go all the way with you.
Buck
Get money out of politics!!!
I’m sicken how our country is represented by individuals who are rich and act like they relate to the common man. All they implore are policies to keep themselves rich while changing the economic status of working class Americans. Get money out! I hope this initiative is a wave that can be sustained and applauded by other Americans.
The proposed amendment is finally out! Kudos to Williams! But I have a question. Does it cover "issue" ads? Suppose a truly grass roots group wants to put an ad on TV whose message is: "Call Congresswoman Smith and tell her to [support] [stop opposing] the anti-bullying bill". Could this be run at all at any time? How about one week AFTER she is elected? How about one week BEFORE the election she is running in? Would it matter if no such legislation were pending at the time the ad is run?
There are a lot of questions here, and I would have a hard time supporting an amendment which restricts the rights of ordinary people (whether singly or in large enough groups to be effective) to advocate issue positions around election time specifically aimed at informing the public of a particular candidate's position on an issue (either for or against). But allowing it at all is exactly what permits the Koch brothers to have such great power.
This is a brilliant idea! I know it's going to take alot of work but I am 100% behind this idea. Something needs to be done, the government is so broken. They have forgotten who they are working for because of greed. We need to do something for now and the future of our children
Great let's do it
we should have millions of people signing on to this………….everyone get on board!! Let's take our country back
We could donate all that money and do some real good seeing there are those who claim that "there is no money"
Unless we get money out of politics via big corporations, the wealthy, and the privileged, America will always be for sale to the highest bidders. The populace is awakening and now is our chance to revolutionize our political system by getting money out of politics.
Is so difficult to see that by having lobbist that our government is being bought right if front of our eyes. In Russia this is what they do.
so to get back to funding the elections ,we should only allow the voting public to give.
Wake up AMERICA!
instead of trying to democratize the middle east and the rest of the world; why dont we try it on our own country , this congress certainly is not indicative of a democrative society, government by and for the people,for some yes the corporations the economic aristocracy,the politicians the chamber of commerce the supreme court all who have long forgotten the people who appointed or voted them in,lobbying may be carried out in the lobbies of congress or the halls of the senate,this does not make it any less distastetfull,lobbying is still bribery,call it what it is dylan i applaud you and jimmy, by any and all means get the money out of politics
Ohhh, if only this could be successful!! To get money out of Politics would be a Blessing beyond all words!
Then our economy and Country could prosper. It is absolutely ridiculous the $$ that is spent on Elections that could be spent wisely on truly meaningful, so desperatelhy needed areas throughout our towns, cities, counties, States, and Government!!
There has to be a very economical, simplistic way of running for Government positions and for every United States Citizen to use our God given right to vote.
My sincere respect and thanks to you Dylan and Ed!
Lets all make this happen people. stop corporatism and save America ,sign me up!!!!
My wife and I totally support this amendment. It protects against the present Oligarchy of the richand affluent.
I support this amendment withour reservation.
What do we do to join your efforts?
The thing that pisses me off is that those politicians always seem to leave Washington worth a hell of lot more than when they got there. Take the money out of politics and no one would want the job.
It's a shame,our country has come to this point in history. If we don't stop and realize the selfishness some of our leaders have in their hearts for money, and do something about this problem, this country as we know it is doomed.
It's a terrible shame.
The passage of this amendment will be the answer to my prayers. Our future and the future of our grandchildren are in serious jeopardy without something being done to remedy a very sad situation.
Thank you for this effort.
1st, 3 issues, federal,state,county; federal-All federal elective offices will come under this amendment. All State election laws will have to be amended to come into compliance as well as county election laws.Elective offices at all levels will be financed with taxes and contributions; a mix of personal,business and corperations. Corperations will lose their personhood!! The States will have to establish their own Election Agencys and taxing laws. There will be federal term-limits as there are in several states!! When congress is term limited out or not re-elected there will be a 5 year wait period before entering into a lobbying job/doing business with any agency at thecounty,state,federal,etc. Political Parties ie; Republican,Democrat,Libertarian,Progressive,Tea party,Liberal,etc will be organized,and recognized(legalized) on the State level.
The constitutional ammendment is the way we have to go to get money out of politics.
P.S. Where and How do I join up!!!!
Lets get it passed. I would have no problem being taxed $100 bucks to take the money out of politics.
i believe the amendment should also address state and local elections as well. We all know a lot of money is being pumped into gubernatorial and state assemblies in order to further the agenda of the right. Woudln’t listing it only as “federal” exlude those races??
ALso something about making is necessary to have contributors made public so they can just pass it throguh anonymously!!
It is about time, I am tired of my country being controlled by only the waslthy who have no idea what is like in middle America…nor do they care.
I totally agree with this ammendment, I was under the impression that I could sign my name to this on this web page, but I find no way of doing so.
I support the amendment fully. Money distorts democracy. Democracy in the US is supposed to be one vote per citizen decides an issue. Instead we have the most money spent decides our issues.
Please push this amendment. I think it will get huge support – unless the money guys stop it because it shuts down their access to control over our government.
By the People, of the People, for the People: Select politicians from jury pools and ban lobby money, gifts, and trips. Repeal & Prosecute Party. War on US = Treason = wars on terror, drugs, middle class, Middle East, women, unions, smokers, protesters, Constitution, …by business (hiring illegals and outsourcing), banks, and government.
I heartily support this amendment . We must not let our country become a fascist oligarchy ruled by immoral millionares and billionares, who deny the intrinsic value of each human being. Capitalism is not Democracy!. Free market is an oxymoron!
Our democracy is almost dead! The Billionares have succeeded in establishing their fascistic oligarchy by buying our elected representatives in government. We must pass this amendment in order to maintain true democracy which acknowledges the intrinsic value of every human being and the inherent rights thereto.
MAKE IT SIMPLE TO SIGN UP AND FORWARD TO FRIENDS . TOO TOO LONG
ALL COMMENTS ARE BULL LIKE OUR CONGRESS
Constitution demands removal of public officials for Bribery. Campaign contributions are Bribery.
Republicans have won the class war against the middle class and the working class. They have all the money they need to buy the most compliant congress they could wish for. They can buy all the media they need to frame the public debate in terms they can win with. The Citizens-United Supreme Court decision has made it easy for the big money to lobby as many politicians in Congress to win as many votes as they need to stay in control.
By, for, and of the People: Select politicians from the jury pool. Ban lobby money, gifts, and trips: Constitution demands removal of public officials for Bribery; campaign contributions are Bribery. Repeal & Prosecute Party – War on US = Treason = wars on terror, drugs, middle class, Middle East, women, unions, smokers, protesters, Constitution, …
NJ Gov goes to the west to raise campaign money! Ridiculious!! " IF YOU CAN'T VOTE FOR ME, I CAN'T TAKE YOUR MONEY"
I voted for Obama to change the world for us but just as we did to end the war in Viet Nam we have to do it ourselves.
We listen to you every day and we agree that money should be taken out of Politics. Shorten the
Campaign time to six months before election and put a limit on the amount one can spend on
campaigning.
Jan Smith
Good idea!!!! Greed is what is doing the most harm to this country. Stop the corruption.
Great ideas!!! Also, no more handouts for people running for President!! The media is getting rich on
the advertising.
As a 70 year old retired school teacher. My brother is showing me how to do this on his computer. I raised two teenagers [12@ten years old. I am sick to my stomach because of this big money politics that has the American public on it's knees. I had to quit teaching in 1979 to nurse my dying husband.
Pittsburgh sent its steel mills off shore and lost about 250,000 residence and now have the oldest poulation in the, like me on Social Security. Barack Obama let us down and the republicans are trying to stop people from voting. My brother had a succesful buiseness career and helps me out alot.
I am for the constitutional amendment as proposed; but…has anyone argued that the preamble of the constitution about Promote the GENERAL WELFARE invokes a kind of litmus test for bill to be passed by Congress… Jim Cossolias
great movement im with you
While I support Get the Money Out! Many have abdicated their personal responsibility to VOTE!!!!! The basic truth is we are the only employers in the world who let the employees do as they like!!! Then every few years we ask them to review their own performance and that of their peers!! Then they inform us of false facts,fear
phrases, and reassurances that however skewed they have represented our interest. So we give them another and another and another term.If they were our doctors or mechanics we would find another without
a hesitation!!! We hired em and we continue to hire them based on their opinion of their work. The sad fact The Money Works Because WE Let It!!!!
Hello:
The news media is as much of a problem as the politicians. The news media should expose the positions of the politicians not mix their opinion with nonsense. Example-how can you have all republicans not voting for a jobs bill, and then you have republicans commenting on positions of people who areout of work.
Herkie Lee Williams, Ph.D
Retired professor of psychology
As a disinfranchised voter in the state of Florida, it is my hope that when this amendment makes it to the ballott, it will give hope and courage to the citizens of Florida to take back our state. I am only a transplant from the state of Pa., but this is home and when you don't even have a sham election for the county commissioners who are owned, heart and soul, by the large developer in our community, there is not much hope for a democracy. With getting the money out of the national elections, maybe it will spurr the states and countys to act as well and restore faith in government.
By, for, and of the People: Amend to select politicians from the jury pool. Ban lobby money, gifts, and trips: Constitution demands removal of public officials for Bribery; campaign contributions are Bribery per se. Repeal & Prosecute Party – War on US = Treason = wars on terror, drugs, middle class, Middle East, women, unions, smokers, protesters, Constitution, …
sign my name to get the money. i tottaly agree with you
I am proud to have you folks at msnbc represent me and millions like me i was a working stiff. I worked at rocketdyne in canoga park,ca.on everything from the apollo program to the space shuttle. I retired after 43 years and now I may have to worry about my retirement. keep up the great WORK . ED my man and the whole CREW…… I LOVE WHAT YOU GUYS AND dolls ARE DOING. GOG BLESS YOU ALL.
I would like to sign a petition to get money out of politics –an amendment Public financing only
I really appreciate what you are all doing. I hope it's not too late & you/we won't/don't stop until we get some sanity & democracy back in our politics!
One issue I've always wanted addressed is for our Public Servants to declare how much their Personal Wealth has grown since taking office. I know with Bush, along with Channey especially, made a killing (in more ways than one) during their irresponsible reign of "financial terror" in DC.. I always thought/hoped individuals went into politics for the good of others but for the last 20 years (or longer; it's just not been as pronounced like the last few decades) they've gone into it for themselves!
Maybe if they had to declare & report their personal advances/gains under the guise of serving the counrty, they may keep their hands in their own pockets vs letting them end up in someone else's.
PS. DR, I have been a long time viewer & reallly LOVE your show (your pressence & it''s content). Keep up the great fight my friend, for all our sakes…
As a very senior citizen I feel despair as to the state this country is in. Far too many citizens are apathetic and not wiling to take a stand. The best thing that can be done is an amendment to the constitution. It is imperative that we do this NOW! Thanks for your effort.
here is my idea.
1. For the purposes of Federal Elections, corporations, special interest groups, and political organizations shall have no right of free speech, and are prohibited from donating, contributing, or offer anything of value to affect the outcome of such a contest.
2.Federal Election Campaigns seeking an elected office shall only accept money from United States Citizens, acting exclusively as individuals, who primarily reside in the jurisdiction of that office.
3.All Campaign contribution information shall be made public on a real-time basis via a website administered by the IRS.
4.For each Federal Election cycle, a United States Citizen may only give money to one candidate’s Campaign.
5.No law shall be made to limit the amount of money a United States Citizen may donate to a Federal Election Campaign.
Either take the 1% down, dismantle their ivory towers, or let things continue ‘as is’.
The first there is hope for Americans in America. The second is a path to inevitable civil war.
Money is not a voice.
What a great idea! Keep building the momentum.
Elections would be re-claimed by the public: removed from the "moneyed interests" realm and positioned squarely where it should be, in the hands of the public.
As Dylan stated in his segment with Governor Rendell, Get Money Out of Politics – our 28th Amendment is the beginning of addressing what is dysfunctional with our three branches of government. I believe the next step, after the 28th Amendment, should be to return Statesmanship to the process of governance. Money has contaminated and corrupted the system of governance, which has devolved our Democratic Republic. One other measure that would be an extension of the 28th Amendment is the 29th, which would limit terms of all public servants, including the Supreme Court. Public servants are not meant to colloquially speaking, bounce from the House, to the Senate, and then the Presidency. Lifetime politicians is preposterous. The Supreme Court is the biggest body politic of them all with lifetime appointments. Our U.S. Constitution is young and is evolving. These Amendments will be improvements and assist with giving the Popular Sovereignty a foundation to stand on. The power belongs to the People!
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Where can I see the wording of the amendment?
get the money out please, we are falling down fast.
please help us. thanks
Amendment to the amendment….. if you sold your soul to get the office you loose your pension, your health bennefits and anyother "treats" you tricksters take while you stomp on the middle and poor.
i agree with getting money out of politics 100%.we need to have fair voting,not the bought type.
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sign me up
People seem to prefer rich white corrupt pros to real people. Select random people from voters' registration lists to serve one term to #GetMoneyOut and get 99% represented.
Jimmy Williams won't even consider selecting random people from voter's registration instead of rich white male corrupt criminal (bribed) incumbent politicians.
CSPAN is a political prop. the Public is better served by a working system. Congress is good at elections, incompetent at legislation. maybe they should all go home.
Tax Code is written in committee, works through the system like all law. Elections allow the politician to blame the citizen for his dysfunction. Crazy.