Greg Coleridge, Director, Northeast Ohio American Friends Service Committee
14. December. 2010
Thank you for sponsoring this hearing to listen to community concerns. I encourage you to support enacting an ordinance prohibiting gas drilling in your community.
The discussion and debate surrounding the issue of hydralic fracking in Plain Township is more than simply about drilling for natural gas. It’s also more than about water contamination associated with drilling. It’s even more than about property values and road safety connected to increased truck traffic.
The core issue is about democracy, about self-governance. It’s about whether the citizens of Plain Township and their elected Trustees have the authority to protect their citizens or not. It’s at root whether citizens have the right to decide by ordinance what a gas drilling corporation can and cannot do to protect the health, safety and welfare of their community.
Who (or what) possesses more power? Citizens? Or corporations?
Claims that drilling corporations have some god-given, cosmic or legal constitutional right to do what they want, when they want, and where they want is an assault on We the People’s right to protect our own community -- politically, economically and environmentally.
Throughout history, corporations have escaped democratic control in three different ways:
1. By working to shift decision making from one political level to another (local to state, state to national, national to international). Drilling corporations have done this by working to pass a state law removing the right of local communities to control gas drilling.
2. By working to shift decisions from the legislative level to regulatory agencies – which are easier to influence. The compliant and corporate friendly…and funded… Ohio Department of Natural Resources is Exhibit A on this front, and,
3. By shifting decision making from the legislative arena to the courts – where judges can be easily influenced to buy into the ridiculous notion that corporations have same constitutional Bill of Rights protections as human beings.
Citizens are waking up. Local public officials are waking up. People are tired of being pushed around, led around, and given the run around by corporations.
The time has not yet arrived when the created is greater than the creator. We the People through laws and charters create corporations. They are legal creations of government provided with privileges to do what we feel will serve the common good. They’ve not been given permission to tell us what to do or how we should run our cities, villages and townships.
I applaud the efforts of Plain Township to consider passing an ordinance that asserts the Township’s right to decide what the people of Plain Township, not some outside gas drilling corporation, considers best for protecting the health, safety and welfare of your community.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHgvOzv32JA&feature=player_embedded
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Economic [In]Justice By the Numbers/Call Congress
· Percentage of America’s net worth (source: Economic Policy Institute) owned by top 1%: 34
· Percentage owned by top 10%: greater than [ > ] 70
· Percentage owned by bottom 90%: 29
· Percentage of income controlled by top 1% of Americans in 2007: 24
· Percentage of total increase in American incomes from 1980-2005 that went to richest 1%: > 80
· Number of times as much on average CEOs of largest US companies earned in 1980 compared to average US worker: 42
· Number of times in 2001: 531
· Amount generated (according to the Congressional Research Services) if Estate Tax is capped in 2011 at 35% after a $5 million tax free allowance: $11.2 billion
· Amount generated if Estate Tax is capped at 45% after a $3.5 million tax free allowance: $18.1 billion
· Amount generated if the current 55% Estate Tax is maintained: $34.4 billion
· Amount of record profit posted by US corporations (source: Bureau of Economic Analysis) during third quarter of this year: $167 billion
· Percentage increase from same time last year: 28
· Current US unemployment rate (due in large part to corporations not creating US jobs): 9.6%
· Number of unemployed workers for every new job created: 5
· Number of people unemployment benefits lifted out of poverty in 2009: 3 million
· Percentage worse off current recession would be (source: Labor Dept study during Bush administration) without unemployment insurance (UI): 18
· Amount of jobs preserved in each quarter by continuing unemployment insurance: 1.6 million
· Number of dollar increase in economic activity for every dollar spent on UI: 2
· Total amount of tax cuts to those with incomes above $250,000 per year (according to Tax Policy Center) if Bush cuts are continued: $700 billion
· Average tax cut of richest .1% if Bush cuts are continued: $370,000
· Recently released total of bailout by the Federal Reserve to US and foreign banks and corporations during the economic crisis: at least $3.3 trillion
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
“My point [is] that the wealthiest plutocrats now actually control a greater share of the pie in the United States than in historically unstable countries like Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Guyana…I’m appalled by our growing wealth gaps because in my travels I see what happens in dysfunctional countries where the rich just don’t care about those below the decks. The result is nations without a social fabric or sense of national unity. Huge concentrations of wealth corrode the soul of any nation…I don’t know if that makes us a banana republic or a hedge fund republic, but it’s not healthy in any republic.”
- Nicholas Kristof, New York Times (Plain Dealer, 11/21/10)
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
Call Senators Brown and Voinovich using the US Action Congressional Hotline 1-866-606-1189
Messages:
Extend unemployment insurance through 2011.
Don’t extend tax breaks for rich.
Don’t cut estate tax on wealthy.
Bail out people, not Wall Street banksters.
· Percentage owned by top 10%: greater than [ > ] 70
· Percentage owned by bottom 90%: 29
· Percentage of income controlled by top 1% of Americans in 2007: 24
· Percentage of total increase in American incomes from 1980-2005 that went to richest 1%: > 80
· Number of times as much on average CEOs of largest US companies earned in 1980 compared to average US worker: 42
· Number of times in 2001: 531
· Amount generated (according to the Congressional Research Services) if Estate Tax is capped in 2011 at 35% after a $5 million tax free allowance: $11.2 billion
· Amount generated if Estate Tax is capped at 45% after a $3.5 million tax free allowance: $18.1 billion
· Amount generated if the current 55% Estate Tax is maintained: $34.4 billion
· Amount of record profit posted by US corporations (source: Bureau of Economic Analysis) during third quarter of this year: $167 billion
· Percentage increase from same time last year: 28
· Current US unemployment rate (due in large part to corporations not creating US jobs): 9.6%
· Number of unemployed workers for every new job created: 5
· Number of people unemployment benefits lifted out of poverty in 2009: 3 million
· Percentage worse off current recession would be (source: Labor Dept study during Bush administration) without unemployment insurance (UI): 18
· Amount of jobs preserved in each quarter by continuing unemployment insurance: 1.6 million
· Number of dollar increase in economic activity for every dollar spent on UI: 2
· Total amount of tax cuts to those with incomes above $250,000 per year (according to Tax Policy Center) if Bush cuts are continued: $700 billion
· Average tax cut of richest .1% if Bush cuts are continued: $370,000
· Recently released total of bailout by the Federal Reserve to US and foreign banks and corporations during the economic crisis: at least $3.3 trillion
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
“My point [is] that the wealthiest plutocrats now actually control a greater share of the pie in the United States than in historically unstable countries like Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Guyana…I’m appalled by our growing wealth gaps because in my travels I see what happens in dysfunctional countries where the rich just don’t care about those below the decks. The result is nations without a social fabric or sense of national unity. Huge concentrations of wealth corrode the soul of any nation…I don’t know if that makes us a banana republic or a hedge fund republic, but it’s not healthy in any republic.”
- Nicholas Kristof, New York Times (Plain Dealer, 11/21/10)
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
Call Senators Brown and Voinovich using the US Action Congressional Hotline 1-866-606-1189
Messages:
Extend unemployment insurance through 2011.
Don’t extend tax breaks for rich.
Don’t cut estate tax on wealthy.
Bail out people, not Wall Street banksters.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Tell Sen. Voinovich to Pass the DISCLOSE Act
The Citizens United Supreme Court decision in January allowed corporations to divert money from their treasuries to influencing elections -- specifically for so-called independent "issue ads." Most of these contributions/investments went to front groups so that corporations didn't have to disclose their identity or amount.
The Supreme Court ruled, however, in Citizens United by an 8-1 margin that existing disclosure laws (meaning those who contribute/invest in political campaigns) should be required to reveal the size and source of the funds.
This last point was largely ignored as well over $100 million in shadowy funds poured into the fall elections.
Earlier this year, the House passed the DISCLOSE Act which would shed light on these secret contributions/investments. The Senate now needs to do the same. Provisions of the Act are below.
Call or fax Senators Voinovich and Brown urging them during this "lame duck" session to pass the DISCLOSE Act. Senator Brown always supports the Act. Senator Voinovich can be persuaded to do the same.
Several of us from Cleveland met with his aide on Wednesday urging the Senator to take one more independent step away from the Republican Party position (most Repubs oppose the Act).
Call Voinovich today!
Name / Local Office Number / Local Fax Number (Faxes are better than calls)
Senator George Voinovich / 216-522-7095 / 216-522-7097
Senator Sherrod Brown / (216) 522-7272 / 216-522-2239
The DISCLOSE Act legislation will address seven major provisions:
1. Enhance Disclaimers
Make CEOs and other leaders take responsibility for their ads.
2. Enhance Disclosures
It is time to follow the money.
3. Prevent Foreign Influence
Foreign countries and entities should not be determining the outcome of our elections.
4. Shareholder/Member Disclosure
We should allow shareholders and members to know where money goes.
5. Prevent Government Contractors from Spending
Taxpayer money should not be spent on political ads.
6. Provide the Lowest Unit Rate for Candidates and Parties
Special interests should not drown out the voices of the people.
7. Tighten Coordination Rules
Corporations should not be able to “sponsor” a candidate.
Posted on Mon, Nov. 29, 2010
Inquirer Editorial: Transparent elections
Time has all but run out for the Senate to take a modest and reasonable step to restore sanity to out-of-control campaign spending.
Although a majority of senators favor the DISCLOSE Act, Republican lawmakers are blocking a vote. The measure, which passed the House last summer, proposes a basic requirement that people who donate hefty sums for election ads identify themselves.
What's wrong with that?
In this year's midterm elections, at least $125 million was donated secretly to defeat or support various candidates. It was the first time in nearly 40 years that such large amounts of secret money influenced an election, for which the blame goes to the Supreme Court's tragically misguided ruling in the "Citizens United" case.
Rest of Philadelphia Inquirer editorial at
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20101129_Inquirer_Editorial__Transparent_elections.html
The Supreme Court ruled, however, in Citizens United by an 8-1 margin that existing disclosure laws (meaning those who contribute/invest in political campaigns) should be required to reveal the size and source of the funds.
This last point was largely ignored as well over $100 million in shadowy funds poured into the fall elections.
Earlier this year, the House passed the DISCLOSE Act which would shed light on these secret contributions/investments. The Senate now needs to do the same. Provisions of the Act are below.
Call or fax Senators Voinovich and Brown urging them during this "lame duck" session to pass the DISCLOSE Act. Senator Brown always supports the Act. Senator Voinovich can be persuaded to do the same.
Several of us from Cleveland met with his aide on Wednesday urging the Senator to take one more independent step away from the Republican Party position (most Repubs oppose the Act).
Call Voinovich today!
Name / Local Office Number / Local Fax Number (Faxes are better than calls)
Senator George Voinovich / 216-522-7095 / 216-522-7097
Senator Sherrod Brown / (216) 522-7272 / 216-522-2239
The DISCLOSE Act legislation will address seven major provisions:
1. Enhance Disclaimers
Make CEOs and other leaders take responsibility for their ads.
2. Enhance Disclosures
It is time to follow the money.
3. Prevent Foreign Influence
Foreign countries and entities should not be determining the outcome of our elections.
4. Shareholder/Member Disclosure
We should allow shareholders and members to know where money goes.
5. Prevent Government Contractors from Spending
Taxpayer money should not be spent on political ads.
6. Provide the Lowest Unit Rate for Candidates and Parties
Special interests should not drown out the voices of the people.
7. Tighten Coordination Rules
Corporations should not be able to “sponsor” a candidate.
Posted on Mon, Nov. 29, 2010
Inquirer Editorial: Transparent elections
Time has all but run out for the Senate to take a modest and reasonable step to restore sanity to out-of-control campaign spending.
Although a majority of senators favor the DISCLOSE Act, Republican lawmakers are blocking a vote. The measure, which passed the House last summer, proposes a basic requirement that people who donate hefty sums for election ads identify themselves.
What's wrong with that?
In this year's midterm elections, at least $125 million was donated secretly to defeat or support various candidates. It was the first time in nearly 40 years that such large amounts of secret money influenced an election, for which the blame goes to the Supreme Court's tragically misguided ruling in the "Citizens United" case.
Rest of Philadelphia Inquirer editorial at
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20101129_Inquirer_Editorial__Transparent_elections.html
Friday, November 19, 2010
Supreme Court to hear whether corpses have PERSONAL privacy rights
The madness continues...actually increases. The hearing of this case before the US Supreme Court is scheduled for January 19, 2011 — two days prior to the one year anniversary of the Citizens United decision. If the court agrees with AT&T, they may change their slogan from “Your World. Discovered.” to “Our World. Secret.”
Thanks to Terry Lodge for forwarding this. His comments with the posting were:
"After all, we don't want to embarrass them by releasing governmental investigatory reports of how we, the people, are gouged, raped, pillaged and poisoned by corporations..... 'Please, mister, it's humiliating to know we had an uncontrolled radiation release for days that will kill thousands of people, and didn't catch it; we'd feel a lot better if you didn't tell anyone....' 'Please, mister, we feel bad enough about poisoning all those wells when we took down that mountain; can't you have a heart?' "
SECRECY NEWS
from the FAS Project on Government Secrecy
Volume 2010, Issue No. 92
November 18, 2010
Secrecy News Blog: http://www.fas.org/blog/secrecy/
DO CORPORATIONS HAVE PERSONAL PRIVACY RIGHTS?
The Supreme Court will decide next year whether corporations are entitled to "personal privacy" and whether they may prevent the release of records under the Freedom of Information Act on that basis. FOIA advocates say that assigning personal privacy rights to corporations could deal a crippling blow to the Act.
The case before the Court -- known as FCC v. AT&T -- arose from a FOIA request to the Federal Communications Commission for records of an investigation of a government contract held by AT&T. The FCC found that the requested records were subject to release under FOIA. But AT&T challenged that decision and won an appeals court ruling that the documents were law enforcement records that were exempt from disclosure because their release would constitute "an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy" -- namely, the "personal privacy" of AT&T.
The appeals court noted that the word "person" is defined in the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) to include corporations, and it went on to infer from this that the FOIA exemption for "personal privacy" in law enforcement records must logically extend to corporations as well.
But "that analysis does not withstand scrutiny," the government argued in its petition (pdf) to the Supreme Court for review of the case. Personal privacy can only apply to individual human beings, it said, and not to other entities. "The court of appeals' novel construction would erroneously create a new and amorphous 'privacy' right not only for corporations but also for local, state, and foreign governments [which also fall under the APA definition of 'person']."
A concise description of the pending case as well as key case files and amicus briefs filed with the Supreme Court by several FOIA advocacy organizations are conveniently available from the Electronic Privacy Information Center . (EPIC prepared one of the amicus briefs and I was among the signatories to it.)
Corporate information that qualifies as a "trade secret" has long been exempt from disclosure under the FOIA. But prior to this case, no court had ever held that a corporation also has personal privacy rights.
If affirmed by the Supreme Court, the appeals court ruling "could vastly expand the rights of corporations to shield their activities from public view," said Sen. Patrick Leahy this week, and it "would close a vital window into how our government works."
"Congress never intended for this [personal privacy] exemption to apply to corporations," he said. "I also fear that extending this exemption to corporations would permit corporations to shield from public view critical information about public health and safety, environmental dangers, and financial misconduct, among other things -- to the great detriment of the people's right to know and to our democracy."
"I sincerely hope that our nation's highest Court... will narrowly construe the personal privacy exemption, consistent with congressional intent," said Sen. Leahy . "Should the Court decide to do otherwise, I will work with others in the Congress to ensure that FOIA, and specifically the personal privacy exemption for law enforcement records, remains a meaningful safeguard for the American people's right to know," he said.
FCC v. AT&T is scheduled to be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on January 19, 2011.
Thanks to Terry Lodge for forwarding this. His comments with the posting were:
"After all, we don't want to embarrass them by releasing governmental investigatory reports of how we, the people, are gouged, raped, pillaged and poisoned by corporations..... 'Please, mister, it's humiliating to know we had an uncontrolled radiation release for days that will kill thousands of people, and didn't catch it; we'd feel a lot better if you didn't tell anyone....' 'Please, mister, we feel bad enough about poisoning all those wells when we took down that mountain; can't you have a heart?' "
SECRECY NEWS
from the FAS Project on Government Secrecy
Volume 2010, Issue No. 92
November 18, 2010
Secrecy News Blog: http://www.fas.org/blog/secrecy/
DO CORPORATIONS HAVE PERSONAL PRIVACY RIGHTS?
The Supreme Court will decide next year whether corporations are entitled to "personal privacy" and whether they may prevent the release of records under the Freedom of Information Act on that basis. FOIA advocates say that assigning personal privacy rights to corporations could deal a crippling blow to the Act.
The case before the Court -- known as FCC v. AT&T
The appeals court noted that the word "person" is defined in the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) to include corporations, and it went on to infer from this that the FOIA exemption for "personal privacy" in law enforcement records must logically extend to corporations as well.
But "that analysis does not withstand scrutiny," the government argued in its petition
A concise description of the pending case as well as key case files and amicus briefs filed with the Supreme Court by several FOIA advocacy organizations are conveniently available from the Electronic Privacy Information Center
Corporate information that qualifies as a "trade secret" has long been exempt from disclosure under the FOIA. But prior to this case, no court had ever held that a corporation also has personal privacy rights.
If affirmed by the Supreme Court, the appeals court ruling "could vastly expand the rights of corporations to shield their activities from public view," said Sen. Patrick Leahy
"Congress never intended for this [personal privacy] exemption to apply to corporations," he said. "I also fear that extending this exemption to corporations would permit corporations to shield from public view critical information about public health and safety, environmental dangers, and financial misconduct, among other things -- to the great detriment of the people's right to know and to our democracy."
"I sincerely hope that our nation's highest Court... will narrowly construe the personal privacy exemption, consistent with congressional intent," said Sen. Leahy
FCC v. AT&T is scheduled to be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on January 19, 2011.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Pittsburgh Bans Natural Gas Drilling
An example of citizens resisting corporate Constitutional rights. People have a right to decide economically, politically...and environmentally...what goes on in their communities. This is also an example of corporate power based on something other than 1st Amendment Free Speech rights. It's why any effort to amend the Constitution to abolish "corporate personhood" must include ALL Constitutional rights -- not simply the 1st Amendment [www.movetoamend.org]
"Provisions in the ordinance eliminate corporate 'personhood' rights within the city for corporations seeking to drill, and remove the ability of corporations to wield the Commerce and Contracts Clauses of the U.S. Constitution to override community decision-making."
Pittsburgh Bans Natural Gas Drilling
A historic new ordinance bans natural gas drilling while elevating community decision making and the rights of nature over the "rights" associated with corporate personhood.
by Mari Margil, Ben Price
posted Nov 16, 2010
http://www.yesmagazine.org/people-power/pittsburg-bans-natural-gas-drilling
"Provisions in the ordinance eliminate corporate 'personhood' rights within the city for corporations seeking to drill, and remove the ability of corporations to wield the Commerce and Contracts Clauses of the U.S. Constitution to override community decision-making."
Pittsburgh Bans Natural Gas Drilling
A historic new ordinance bans natural gas drilling while elevating community decision making and the rights of nature over the "rights" associated with corporate personhood.
by Mari Margil, Ben Price
posted Nov 16, 2010
http://www.yesmagazine.org/people-power/pittsburg-bans-natural-gas-drilling
Friday, November 12, 2010
Lots o' Links of Corporate Assault on Democracy
BACKGROUND
=============
For those who wish to approach the issue of corporate personhood from a religious perspective...
Do corporations have souls?
By THE REV. EDMUND ROBINSON
October 30, 2010 2:00 AM
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101030/LIFE/10300303
Henry Demarest Lloyd's Wealth Against Commonwealth.
http://www.ebooks.burnedbookspublishing.com/04003852/index.html
[It took former Ohioan John Storm 5 years to convert this 1894 classic to an electronic format. Find the time to read it!]
NEWS
=====
The Cost of a Vote Goes Up
By EDUARDO PORTER
Published: November 6, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/opinion/07sun3.html
The Re-Education of a Citizens United Denier
The Supreme Court didn't just let corporations in; it created a new kind of money broker.
Mark Schmitt | November 5, 2010
http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=the_reeducation_of_a_citizens_united_denier
Big spenders: How candidates backed by outside groups fared
By Anupama Narayanswamy Nov 3, 2010
http://reporting.sunlightfoundation.com/
Editorial: Judges and Money
States that hold judicial elections must adopt public financing and strict rules barring judges from cases involving major financial supporters
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/30/opinion/30sat2.html?emc=eta1
Economist Joseph Stiglitz: Put Corporate Criminals in Jail
http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/investing/joseph-stiglitz-corporate-crooks-to-jail/19684353/?icid=sphere_copyright
Small Town Declares Freedom from Fracking
Licking Township, Pennsylvania Declares Freedom from Fracking
http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/pennsylvania-township-declares-freedom-from-fracking
TAKE ACTION
============
Pass the DISCLOSE ACT THIS YEAR!
In January, the Supreme Court strengthened corporations' grip on our government and political process with a dangerous ruling, overturning more than 100 years of election law.
The results of that ruling led to millions of dollars of secret, undisclosed contributions that influenced this year's elections.
To combat the new, unregulated corporate influence over elections, the House of Representatives passed the DISCLOSE Act - because democracy is strengthened by casting light on spending in elections.
It is time for the Senate to act on this critical piece of legislation. Tell Senator Harry Reid to bring the DISCLOSE ACT to the floor of the Senate this year.
More at http://readersupportednews.org/pass-the-disclose-act-this-year
Visit MoveToAmendOhio.org
For more action ideas. Click on the Take Action link.
Rootscamp
Karen Hansen and I will be doing a workshop tomorrow in Columbus at Rootscamp on Ending Corporate Rule in Ohio and the US. If you’re attending, join us! www.ohiorootscamp.pbworks.com
=============
For those who wish to approach the issue of corporate personhood from a religious perspective...
Do corporations have souls?
By THE REV. EDMUND ROBINSON
October 30, 2010 2:00 AM
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101030/LIFE/10300303
Henry Demarest Lloyd's Wealth Against Commonwealth.
http://www.ebooks.burnedbookspublishing.com/04003852/index.html
[It took former Ohioan John Storm 5 years to convert this 1894 classic to an electronic format. Find the time to read it!]
NEWS
=====
The Cost of a Vote Goes Up
By EDUARDO PORTER
Published: November 6, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/opinion/07sun3.html
The Re-Education of a Citizens United Denier
The Supreme Court didn't just let corporations in; it created a new kind of money broker.
Mark Schmitt | November 5, 2010
http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=the_reeducation_of_a_citizens_united_denier
Big spenders: How candidates backed by outside groups fared
By Anupama Narayanswamy Nov 3, 2010
http://reporting.sunlightfoundation.com/
Editorial: Judges and Money
States that hold judicial elections must adopt public financing and strict rules barring judges from cases involving major financial supporters
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/30/opinion/30sat2.html?emc=eta1
Economist Joseph Stiglitz: Put Corporate Criminals in Jail
http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/investing/joseph-stiglitz-corporate-crooks-to-jail/19684353/?icid=sphere_copyright
Small Town Declares Freedom from Fracking
Licking Township, Pennsylvania Declares Freedom from Fracking
http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/pennsylvania-township-declares-freedom-from-fracking
TAKE ACTION
============
Pass the DISCLOSE ACT THIS YEAR!
In January, the Supreme Court strengthened corporations' grip on our government and political process with a dangerous ruling, overturning more than 100 years of election law.
The results of that ruling led to millions of dollars of secret, undisclosed contributions that influenced this year's elections.
To combat the new, unregulated corporate influence over elections, the House of Representatives passed the DISCLOSE Act - because democracy is strengthened by casting light on spending in elections.
It is time for the Senate to act on this critical piece of legislation. Tell Senator Harry Reid to bring the DISCLOSE ACT to the floor of the Senate this year.
More at http://readersupportednews.org/pass-the-disclose-act-this-year
Visit MoveToAmendOhio.org
For more action ideas. Click on the Take Action link.
Rootscamp
Karen Hansen and I will be doing a workshop tomorrow in Columbus at Rootscamp on Ending Corporate Rule in Ohio and the US. If you’re attending, join us! www.ohiorootscamp.pbworks.com
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