At Netroots Nation, I got a chance to talk to Kevin Powellrunning against Ed Towns in New York's 10th Congressional District Primary on September 9. I would not say meet because I met Kevin about 13 years ago in Little Rock Arkansas at National Youth Council Against Violence Conference. I have a signed copy of his poetry book somewhere in my boxes of books.

Before about two weeks ago, I knew very little about Ed Towns other than I thought he was a good Democrat and that Kevin Powell did not have an Act Blue Page. Well, that being said, I've learned about Ed Towns and why Kevin Powell would be a "Better Democrat".

Let's say that it didn't take long when reviewing this race that I decided  to put Kevin Powellon Two for Tuesdays Act Blue Page. We get fairly in-depth into Towns expenditures and find some pretty remarkable stuff. You have got to read this.

As I write this, Lawrence Lessig is giving his talk at Netroots Nation.  As usual, it is extraordinary.  If you didn't get a chance to see it in person or online live (as I am from San Francisco), it will be archived (and I'll update this with a link).

But even before he started speaking, I got the email I'll post in full after the jump from Japhet Els (who is also at Netroots Nation).

 Change Congress has an Act Blue page and Lessig wants at least 500 of us to give contributions ending in .09 (the current approval rating of congress) to at least one of these candidates

http://www.actblue.com/...

Update: Right after I posted this, Lessig used a photo I took in his presentation.

If you don't know who Lawrence Lessig is: http://en.wikipedia.org/...

If you don't know about the movement founded by Lessig and Joe Trippi: http://en.wikipedia.org/...

Special interest money is one of the most significant challenges facing American democracy today. Money is funneled into our system by lobbyists and Political Action Committees (PACs) who finance and help to elect those candidates friendly to their agendas. In return they expect access, influence, and sometimes they expect kickbacks in the form of earmarks for pet projects. While politicians, lobbyists, and PAC members often deny that there is any quid pro quo in their relationships, it’s evident that the specter of special interest influence in and of itself has damaged the credibility of our process and we would all benefit from a system that engendered a sense of trust and credibility.

This past month, Stanford Law Professor Larry Lessig and Joe Trippi, former campaign manager for Howard Dean and senior advisor to John Edwards in their runs for the White House, teamed up to form "Change Congress," a national movement to help end corruption in the United States Congress (www.change-congress.org).  The organization is advocating for several important measures that will help reform Washington, asks all candidates to pledge to undertake these reforms, and encourages citizens to promote these important issues by agreeing to a similar pledge.

(Crossposted at Veritosity.com)

NOTE: For an explanation of what Blogrolling for Change is and how to get involved, click here.

When I was a senior in high school, The Nation had a contest where they asked high school and college students across the country what the most important issue facing young people was. In writing my response I deliberately chose to misread the question - rather than telling The Nation what I thought young people cared about the most, I decided to tell them what I thought the most important issue was, period. The answer? Undue corporate power and influence, particularly when it comes to the American political process.

This past week was National Sunshine Week, a period dedicated to furthering open government and discussion.  So I guess this announcement is fitting.

I’ve spent years advocating for Maine’s public financing laws, because I feel our campaign finance system needs fundamental changes.  So in my campaign for Congress, I’m putting my money where my mouth is.  I’m banking my campaign on the support of individual voters, not the support of special interest lobbyists or federal PACs.

Today, I’m taking my commitment to clean elections one step further.

I’m proud to announce that moments ago, even though my internal polling shows that I am neck and neck with my opponent, I signed on with the Change Congress Movement, a plan to start eliminating the influence of big-money contributors in politics, and to restore our government to the people.

Since posting a couple of YouTube videos spelling-out his support for the "Change" candidacy of Barack Obama, Stanford Law Professor, Lawrence Lessig now publishes "a video announcing the 'Change Congress' movement, and exploring the idea of Lessig running for Congress in CA12" --

10 minutes to announce two ideas

Welcome to my diary, I'd like to state right away that I am not working for or on behalf of anyone involved with the Lessig exploratory committee or campaign.  I am a blogger/netizen, like you, who is hoping to help push a man of integrity and intellect into an institution that is in dire need of both.  That being said, I hope the Kos community will see that the values of Mr. Lessig are our own.

Welcome to my diary, I'd like to state right away that I am not working for or on behalf of anyone involved with the Lessig exploratory committee or campaign.  I am a blogger/netizen, like you, who is hoping to help push a man of integrity and intellect into an institution that is in dire need of both.  That being said, I hope the Kos community will see that the values of Mr. Lessig are our own.