Root of the Evils
Money Talks, Literally
A Supreme Court decision made in the 1970s is fundamental not only to the state of America's health care, but a wide range of governmental actions/inactions detrimental to U.S. citizens and the whole world - for example, how America's energy lobby drives our nation's posture on environmental issues.
In 1976 Buckley v. Valeo opened the door to unlimited spending on behalf of particular candidates by individuals or groups who are not running for election themselves. The court's decision overruled the 1974 Federal Election Campaign Act, which had imposed mandatory spending limits on all federal races. The court concluded that such limits violate the First Amendment right to free speech. The outcome of this decision in practice has been to exclude most candidates who are not corporate-sponsored. Health care corporations are one of the biggest lobbying groups in DC.
A three-year-old knows money isn't speech. A seven-year-old understands the basic idea of bribery.
Ever since this ruling, politicians have been doing song and dance routines around the issue of campaign finance reform whenever they think it will help get them reelected - without ever mentioning Buckley v. Valeo. After all, it's how they managed to get elected to begin with.
So long as this law stands and money keeps on talking, wealth will find a way. We the people will be increasing ruled by the millionaire representatives of corporate interests. The manner in which we have come to finance our political campaigns is a threat to our continued existence as a democracy. Try asking yourself if you really think your child can grow up to be president.
The National Voting Rights Institute appears to be the major national organization fighting to maintain American democracy through serious campaign finance reform.
- The National Voting Rights Institute
- 27 School Street, Suite 500
- Boston, MA 02108
- t- (617) 624-3900
- f- (617) 624-3911
- Email: nvri@nvri.org
- www.nvri.org
U.S. Congress and State Representative
For your representatives in the U.S. Congress, see the New York Times online congressional guide: http://capwiz.com/nyt/home/
For your state and local representatives, navigate http://www3.capwiz.com/congressorg or do a web search that includes the words, "state representatives."
Pennsylvania Citizens for Fairness, www.pacitizensforfairness.com, has an alphabetized list of PA legislators on their "Contact your Legislator" link.
