What does it mean to you to celebrate Independence Day? This Fourth of July, people across the country will be celebrating with more than cookouts.
We celebrate independence because it marks the birth of our nation, but it also marks the genesis of the democratic ideals that define it.
Democracy is a constant journey. It’s never perfect, and always threatened by forces that would tip the balance of power into the hands of a few.
We celebrate past victories, but we must not forget that the system we celebrate requires action by the many to work.
On July 2nd and 3rd, people across the country are celebrating or protesting outside of local U.S. Senate offices around a core democratic issue: money in politics.
The U.S. Senate is set to vote on a constitutional amendment to get big money out of politics – to undo the assertion that money is speech in our elections, and that corporations and the wealthy just happen to have more of it. Senate Joint Resolution 19 (S.J. Res. 19) has 45 co-sponsors and passed out of Senate Judiciary Subcommittee last week.
In response, activists are rallying nationwide outside of local Senate offices – thanking co-sponsors and calling on Senators still on the fence to get on board with a constitutional amendment. Through the Money Out Voters In site, members of groups from Public Citizen to the Communications Workers of America to the Sierra Club are gathering to call for serious action to protect representative government from being put up for sale.
Locations of U.S. Senate offices and events from www.MoneyOut-VotersIn.org:
The events are the latest action in the rising movement for an amendment that exploded in response to the Citizens United ruling four years ago. The democracy movement has led 16 states and more than 550 cities nationwide to call for an amendment.
Our fundamental democratic ideal of government of, by and for the People – all the People - is under siege by five U.S. Supreme Court Justices and a handful of super wealthy individuals and corporations interested in buying elections.
The current Supreme Court conservative majority, in Citizens United and in the recent McCutcheon ruling, has given corporations and the wealthy even greater power and influence. The same Court majority rolled back voting rights protections in Shelby v. Holder at a time when those rights are under renewed attack.
Americans are famous for our willingness to work hard, and we all know the fruits of our own labor taste better than anything we got for free.
All the symbols of our nation have more meaning when you’re part of the fight. I hope to see you out there, wherever your struggle takes you.
If you don’t feel proud waving the flag, help us stitch it back together again. If you’ve already given it all you’ve got, know that this celebration is in honor of you.
I know I will enjoy the fireworks this year, knowing I am doing my part in the struggle to protect and expand our democracy.
More about the July 2nd and 3rd events at www.moneyout-votersin.org.