|
|
Money in politics is subverting our democracy.
Money in politics has been a problem for many years. An outstanding This American Life radio program gives a penetrating view of the problems that money has caused in the past in the words of both politicians and lobbyists. 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 First Amendment 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 new 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. Baker City, Oregon, joined in this vital, fundamental effort on Tuesday, June 26, 2012, when the City Council unanimously adopted a resolution urging passage of such a Constitutional amendment!
Justification for a City Council Resolution:
|
|
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 exacerbate the already pervasive influence of money in politics and could well increase the distortion and corruption of electoral and governing processes;
4. Some Members of Congress, including Oregon Senators Merkley and Wyden, 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 widespread, bipartisan grassroots support for efforts to reverse Citizens United have already come from over 300 cities, seven states, and 17 state attorneys general, and additional such expressions are needed to increase the prospects for passage of such a Constitutional amendment.
|
Baker City Council Resolution, Adopted on June 26, 2012
|
|
We proposed a Council resolution which meets citizen needs and points the legislative process in the right direction. The following resolution was unanimously approved by the Baker City Council on June 26, 2012. It is based on a resolution recently passed by the Ashland, Oregon, City Council, as modified by citizen input at our public forum in Baker City on April 26, 2012. It is intended to remove campaign contributions from First Amendment protection and to provide for future revision and refinement:
| The City of Baker City, Oregon, urges Oregon's Members of Congress to approve -- and Oregon’s legislature to support -- 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. |
|
Suggested Constitutional Amendment
|
|
The following proposed amendment is contained in Senate Resolution 29, submitted by Senator Tom Udall on November 1, 2011, with eight initial 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 by putting 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.
|
|
|
|
