In a congressional hearing Thursday on the DISCLOSE Act (which stands for Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections), Public Citizen’s Craig Holman told lawmakers that they should swiftly pass legislation to lift the veil of secrecy on campaign spending before the 2010 elections. This urgency stems from the gravely dangerous Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which allows corporations to spend unlimited amounts to influence elections.
The DISCLOSE Act is a great first step to reining in the corporate power expected to take over elections, Holman said. But it must be strengthened.
“Today, corporate lobbyists can walk into a lobbying meeting carrying a big stick to intimidate lawmakers. A healthy democracy is going to have a hard time surviving this corporate onslaught without meaningful measures to mitigate the corrupting role of unlimited corporate money,” Holman said.
Lee Davis
Why is it that no one is talking about 100% public Campaign financing? The fact that 100% Campaign Financing is not being considered, causes me ask, Are Politicians using some of this Campaign Cash to inrich themselves? All that has been hidden will one day be revealed.
May 8, 2010 at 7:47 am
Mary Ellen Pearson
I, Mary Ellen Pearson, am working against this backhandling of elections. We need laws to stop big business from controlling our Gov’t. “WE The People” need our democracy back.
Mary Ellen Pearson
May 11, 2010 at 7:24 pm
gloriana casey
“Public Finance and the Democracy Dance”
from gloriana casey 7/24/2010
Imagine if DEMOCRACY
was one big Country Dance!
But just a number could come in.
For CITIZENS… no chance!
As SPENDERS BIG, they blocked the line,
that when WE got to door.
That Fire Chief—he would frown and say
“There’s not space for one more.”
And through the windows, we would look
to see those happy lights,
And wondered what those SPENDERS did
to take away our rights!
But then–some SPENDERS saw us peek
along the window pane.
“PRIVATE PARTY,” they would sneer,
“No citizens profane!”
And then, they’d slam the shade down tight,
SHUT OUT! WE all would be.
WE came to DANCE, participate,
Where’s OUR Democracy?***
July 24, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Elmer
I have railed against Lobbyist, corporations even union funds being used to finance re-election campaining. I believe it should be illegal.
If a candidate can obtain enough signatures to qualify. They should be afforded media coverage of their qualifications , education and resume at government expense, allowed to debate their opponent and that’s it.
All the lies and defamation that is spread doesn’t prove a thing other than that the ones offering the money are expecting something in return.
If they want to spend money to improve life for the average citizen, why not contribute money to the government to lower the national debt. It would make a lot more sense than complaining about the taxes they pay.
The corporations have so many loopholes in the laws (created in many cases) by the ones that they supported, that they don’t even pay their fair share. It’s widely rumored, if not proved, that General Electric hasn’t paid taxes in many years
September 28, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Who would’ve known that the DISCLOSE Act calls for burning books, regulating the Internet – and even creates death panels? « CitizenVox
[...] decision, in which the Court ruled that corporations may make unlimited expenditures in elections. The DISCLOSE Act is a good but modest bill designed to open the books on who is paying for these unlimited independent expenditure campaign [...]
December 28, 2010 at 10:56 pm