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Money in politics is subverting our democracy.
Money in politics has been a problem for several decades. An outstanding This American Life radio program gives a wide view of the problems this money causes. We the People are one people, but some of us have been given a much louder voice in the last two years. The 2010 Citizens United decision by the U.S. Supreme Court and subsequent federal court decisions -- in the name of freedom of speech -- have opened the door to unlimited political contributions by wealthy individuals, corporations, labor unions, and other special interest groups, thus undermining our democracy. These contributions are funneled primarily through "Super PACs" (donor names are reported) and non-profit 501(c)4 "Social Welfare" groups (donor names are kept secret).
A nationwide, bipartisan grassroots movement has arisen to level the playing field with a Constitutional amendment exempting political contributions from First Amendment freedom-of-speech provisions. Expressions of support have come from resolutions passed by cities across the nation. This is a big, big deal. We hope Baker City will join in this vital, fundamental effort. Please join us at a public meeting on Thursday, April 26, 2012, to draft a resolution to present to the Baker City Council for its consideration - and to provide on-going public support for passage of a Constitutional amendment.
Supporting Justification for a Constitutional Amendment:
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1. There is widespread, bipartisan national interest in fair electoral processes for candidates and measures;
2. Previous federal and state legislative measures to regulate campaign financing were largely invalidated by the 2010 decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission and subsequent federal court decisions;
3. The consequences of Citizens United could well be distortion and corruption of electoral and governing processes and loss of citizen confidence in federal, state, and local democratic institutions;
4. Some Members of Congress and others are attempting to gather support for a Constitutional amendment authorizing Congress and the states to regulate campaign contributions and expenditures; and
5. Expressions of bipartisan grassroots support for efforts to reverse Citizens United increase the prospects for passage of such a Constitutional amendment.
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Suggested City Council Resolution
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We want to suggest a Council resolution which meets citizen needs and points the legislative process in the right direction. Following is a possible wording of the resolution, pending citizen input at the April 26th public meeting. The form of this resolution, based on a recent Ashland, OR, resolution, is intended to address the need to control political contributions in a comprehensive way that provides for future revision and refinement:
| The City of Baker City, Oregon, urges Oregon's Members of Congress to approve an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to give Congress and the states the authority to regulate campaign contributions and expenditures on federal and state elections. |
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Suggested Constitutional Amendment
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The following proposed amendment is contained in Senate Resolution 29, submitted by Senator Tom Udall on November 1, 2011, with eight co-sponsors, including Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon. There are now 22 Senate co-sponsors, including Oregon Senator Ron Wyden. In keeping with the complexity of this issue, the proposed amendment gives wide latitude to establishment of federal and state regulation of campaign donations and campaign spending. The main thrust is to remove campaign contributions from First Amendment freedom-of-speech provisions and protection -- and to put campaign financing regulation squarely in the hands of federal and state legislatures. You can add your name to a petition supporting this Joint Resolution by clicking here.
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. J. RES. 29
JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to contributions and expenditures intended to affect elections.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission by the Congress:
Section 1. Congress shall have power to regulate the raising and spending of money and in kind equivalents with respect to Federal elections, including through setting limits on--
(1) the amount of contributions to candidates for nomination for election to, or for election to, Federal office; and
(2) the amount of expenditures that may be made by, in support of, or in opposition to such candidates.
Section 2. A State shall have power to regulate the raising and spending of money and in kind equivalents with respect to State elections, including through setting limits on--
(1) the amount of contributions to candidates for nomination for election to, or for election to, State office; and
(2) the amount of expenditures that may be made by, in support of, or in opposition to such candidates.
Section 3. Congress shall have power to implement and enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
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