THUMBS DOWN to New campaign financing regulations – or lack thereof.
Thank you to the League of Women Voters of Needham for reminding us in their letter about how the 2012 election differs from elections of just several years ago.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision of two years ago, corporations, unions and special interest are allowed to, and are pouring unlimited amounts of money into influencing political campaigns.
We urge voters to heed the advice of the League of Women Voters and question every political advertisement, investigate the money behind every campaign, ask candidates about their positions on campaign financing and be sure to head to the voting booth ready to make an informed decision.
Tag Archives: LWV
Event: LWV: Is money putting our democracy at risk? (May 17)
Pushing Back on Money in Politics
May 17, 2012, 7:30pm, Concord, MA
The League of Women Voters of Concord-Carlisle will co-sponsor a public forum moderated by Tom Ashbrook, Host of WBUR’s On Point, with panelists Lawrence Lessig, Jeff Clements and Mimi Marziani on Thursday, May 17 at Concord-Carlisle High School.
Lawrence Lessig (Professor, Harvard Law School)
Doors open at 7:00pm; no reserved seating; program starts at 7:30pm. Free and open to all.
For more information: PushingBack@lwvcc.org; 978-254-1598. Download event flyer and press release.
League of Women Voters Needham
In a letter to the Needham Times on February 17, 2012, the Needham League outlines the effects of the “Citizens United” decision on our democracy, and steps we can take as citizens to fight back:
On Jan. 21, the nation marked the second anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, a decision that enabled corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts of money to influence federal and state elections. As the 2012 election season ramps up, so will the corporate, union and special interest financing of political advertising.
With the proliferation of SuperPACS and 501(c) organizations, major donors funding election advertising remain unidentified to the voters.
Although it has been fairly quiet here in Massachusetts so far, the 2012 campaign is already being highly influenced by enormous amounts of money.
As voters, what can we in Needham do?
§ First, ask every candidate at every level of government for his or her position on campaign finance reform.
§ Second, visit opensecrets.org for reliable information for following the money in races in your district and around the country.
§ Third, question every political advertisement you see or hear.
§ Finally, support grassroots efforts at the local, state and national level to limit corporate and special interest funding of elections.
Help make democracy work — cast an informed vote!
Karen Price
President, League of Women Voters of Needham
Find the Letter at the NEEDHAM TIMES SITE, here:
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