Oh come on. Really? There have been lots of important bills before Congress, like TRUE healthcare reform (we didn't get it), jobs (didn't get that either), disaster relief for victims of Sandy (barely got that), veteran's benefits (boy did they get screwed), etc. Surely those are more important than little old S.J.Res.19. No, not really. S.J. Res.19 and it's House counterpart H.J.RES. 119 are bills to amend the constitution by repealing Citizens United and McCutcheon and declaring that every individual's voice counts regardless of the money in their pocket. I'm addressing this diary to all ideologies because it concerns every single American regardless of party, religion, gender, etc. Everyone I have talked too, regardless of their political ideologies, wants money out of politics. They want the relentless media bombardments during even their smallest local campaigns to stop. Well, here is our chance.
S. J. RES. 19
‘ARTICLE--
‘Section 1. To advance democratic self-government and political equality, and to protect the integrity of government and the electoral process, Congress and the States may regulate and set reasonable limits on the raising and spending of money
‘(1) the amount of contributions to candidates for nomination for election to, or for election to, Federal office; and
‘(2) the amount of funds that may be spent by, in support of, or in opposition to such candidate by candidates and others to influence elections.
‘Section 2. Congress and the States shall have power to
‘(1) the amount of contributions to candidates for nomination for election to, or for election to, State office; and
‘(2) the amount of funds that implement and enforce this article by appropriate legislation, and may distinguish between natural persons and corporations or other artificial entities created by law, including by prohibiting such entities from spending money to influence elections.
‘Section 3. Nothing in this article shall be construed to grant Congress or the States the power to abridge the freedom of the press.’.
Full Official Text Here
Something important is happening right now and everyone should pay very close attention if you truly care about the fate of American democracy, regardless of your ideology. It doesn't matter where you stand politically, Citizens United has been disastrous. Our smallest elections are being flooded by outside money to completely buy the airwaves with commercials that tell us what the money handlers want us to believe. We can no longer trust any elected official because we don't know whose money they are beholden to or afraid of.
For my Republican friends, you should want this to pass. These decisions have been disastrous for the Republican party. They are being taken over by extremists and anything a Republican does that is against big money puts them on the chopping block. Big money keeps a Republican incumbent who has 'misbehaved' from winning their own primary (by flooding the media with lies, half truths, and lots of fear) and puts someone in their place that is big money's puppet and usually ignorant of what is really in our constitution.
Those that believe a third party is needed, forget about it as long as these two Supreme Court rulings stand. There will NEVER be enough money for a third party to be viable against the other two parties if things remain as they are. I personally would like to see more than three viable parties to increase the diversity of ideas and better represent the people. The time has really come for that,
but I digress.
Democrats, aren't you tired of your party holding out their hand to you when you are the little guy who can barely make ends meet? Aren't' you sick of feeling guilty if you don't hand over even 10 dollars that could have been used for your family because you have come to believe that money is your only voice?
This is right for everyone that isn't trying to steal the government from the people. Every single senator who votes against this amendment will be showing Americans whose side they are on, government by the people or government by the almighty dollar. Money is not "speech". I will be paying attention and voting accordingly in November because I believe in democracy. I will vote against anyone on my ticket, regardless of party, who does not support (local) and vote for (federal) this bill. My Democrat friends should be ready to vote against their own people if they have to. Republicans are not the only one's being bought by big money.
Everyone please contact your state and federal representatives personally and let them know that if they stand with money as speech you will vote against them and they will fall.
“Elections have become more about the quantity of cash and less about the quality of ideas.” ~ Sen. Udall
It is time to bring some balance back.
(How many of you heard “to the Force” at the end of that sentence?)