New Report Shows Urgent Need for Fair Elections Now Act

[Linnea]

...Common Cause via Reuters - Oct 29th, 2009

Common Cause report highlights possible effects of Citizens United Decision [Citizens United v FEC]

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Supreme Court will soon release its decision on Citizens United v. FEC, a case that could decide the role of corporate campaign contributions in our political system. Common Cause has released a new report highlighting the potential implications on our elections if the high court decides to undo decades of campaign finance precedents.

"Americans know the problem is bad today and getting worse every election
cycle," said Nick Nyhart, president and CEO of Public Campaign. "The current
pay-to-play political system is already a battle between David and Goliath,
with big moneyed campaign coffers dwarfing the pool of small dollar donors.
This report shows that the outcome of this case could put Goliath's big money strength on steroids."

In its decision, the Supreme Court could give corporations an additional tool
to influence elections. The fear of additional corporate spending in elections
will result in candidates for Congress spending more time dialing for dollars.
The most effective way to counter this is by passing the Fair Elections Now
Act, legislation that would create a voluntary system in which candidates
could run for office on a mix of small donations and public funding, a measure
that has repeatedly passed constitutional muster.

"The everyday citizens of this country need more influence in the political
process and that's what Fair Elections does -- places elections in the hands
of the voters," said Nyhart. "And this report shows that corporate spending in
elections necessitates that more than ever before."

The new report is available online at:
http://www.commoncause.org/citizensunitedreport (pdf)



Based in Washington, D.C., Public Campaign is a national nonprofit
organization dedicated to advancing comprehensive reform of America's election laws and works to hold politicians accountable for the favors they do for special interests.

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRel ... RN20091029

[rumike]

If I had to rate my political priorities, this would be #1. Without fair elections we do not have real representation. How do we stop a system in motion wherein everyone, nearly is on the dole from some special interest? If I had my way, lobbyists would not be allowed to donate to political campaigns, or to give any favors whatsoever.