So, all these problems we're facing, big issues, reluctant, CYA pols, equivocating Administration, frustrated activists, and so forth. There may be a fundamental problem. Money. Lobbyists are essentially running the show because whether it's Dems or Reps, it's all about the money. Follow the money and you see how things do (or don't) get done. Most people agree, if we had a different system, a fairer, cleaner, closer to the voter system that allowed (even encouraged) everyday Americans to run for office, we could begin to fix the broken system we have that requires candidates to spend most of their time dialing for dollars. What if we took elections back from the corporate and special interests and returned them to the people. Allow me to take you behind the curtain and show you a clean election system that works and why it's under attack.....
In 1996 voters in Maine passed a citizen initiative now known as Clean Elections and the first cycle was in 2000. A real public finance system that is now in it's sixth cycle and is working very well. 80% of our legislature (bipartisan even) now runs clean. Less beholden to lobbyist, more diverse, more time spent in the district with voters and less time begging for money. Several candidates for governor have run clean and it has helped level the playing field. There are still issues to address and tweak but It Works. It costs Maine taxpayers around two bucks a year to be free of bloated special interest, corporate, etc funding. It Works! A recent poll shows 75% of Mainers support Clean Elections (a strong majority of R's D's and U's)
Why is the Maine Clean Elections Law Important?
The Maine Clean Election Act allows anyone with enough community support to run for office, regardless of economic background or access to wealth. Before the law was passed, candidates would either spend their own money or raise funds from those willing and interested in funding a political campaign. Today, even those without personal wealth or connections can run viable campaigns.
Today, Maine voters now have more choices at the polls and Maine candidates spend more time listening and talking with voters. Maine's system is a model for the nation and other states struggling to improve their democracies. It is landmark American democracy in action, giving our government back to the voters from the control of the special interests.
Sound Good? It is, it's awesome. The proposed national FAIR legislation is based in large part on Maine's experience. Other states are attempting to have what we have. Special interests have already taken the Maine law to court once and Clean Elections won. However, they're back. An editorial in today's Portland paper lays it out.
This new lawsuit is part of a well-financed assault on the nation's campaign finance laws. Wherever voters and legislatures pass laws that attempt to level the playing field, deter corruption and limit the influence of moneyed special interests, Bopp is never far behind.
In lawsuit after lawsuit, Bopp and his allies go to bat for those with the fattest wallets. Remember Citizens United? That's the U.S. Supreme Court decision that rolled back 100 years of federal campaign finance reforms and guaranteed the right to unlimited political spending for corporations. Bopp was behind that one, too.
That's right. The same people who brought us Citizens United, corporations as individuals, unlimited $$$ and the clear attempt to buy elections are attacking a system that's working. Someone has to defend Clean Elections and I think it's us. We as community can (and often do) rise to the occasion. There's a volunteer, bipartisan group that's been at work in Maine and we could use your help If you live in Maine contact us, we're going on tour soon so maybe you can help arrange a service club (Rotary, Kiwanis, etc) presentation or host a House Party. If you don't live in Maine do what Bill from Cheers & Jeers would do, throw a few $$ our way. We guarantee your donation will go towards fighting the lawsuit. We're pretty sure this will end up in the Supreme Court and although our AG is committed to protecting the law but we will be providing support and expert lawyers as well.
Please read the editorial cause it's really good. If you want to fight and win, this is one to get on board. Clean Elections Work.
Clean Elections means that citizens come first, and that our government is not for sale.
There's nothing unconstitutional about that.