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No more secret money in politics!

To: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

With the Presidential election right around the corner, money is flooding the American political system like never before. Super-PACs, billionaire bankrollers, and shadowy nonprofits are able to transfer huge, undisclosed sums of money to their favored candidates, ensuring that the interests of...

With the Presidential election right around the corner, money is flooding the American political system like never before. Super-PACs, billionaire bankrollers, and shadowy nonprofits are able to transfer huge, undisclosed sums of money to their favored candidates, ensuring that the interests of a few wealthy individuals eclipse those of average citizens.

We’re tired of secret corporate money and corruption swaying election results. Regardless of the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2010 that allows corporations to spend unlimited amounts on political campaigns, as the SEC you have the power to curb such spending. You can issue a rule requiring corporations to fully reveal to shareholders and the public the amount spent on politics and which candidates are being promoted or attacked. In the interest of full disclosure, the SEC should also post all political spending on its website. Without these rules in place, our political process will continue to lack the transparency of a true democracy.

This petition closed on August 31, 2012.

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2,490 people signed a petition

In what is often referred to as one of the most radical and destructive campaign finance decisions in American history, the 2010 Supreme Court ruling on Citizens United gave corporations the go ahead to spend unlimited amounts of money on political campaigns. The decision, as well as other court and regulatory actions taken since then, have largely deregulated the campaign finance system. As a result, corporations and huge financial moguls are able to funnel millions in campaign cash to advocacy groups – or Super Pacs - that are not required to disclose their donors’ identities to the Federal Election Commission.

Many Americans feel that all of this undisclosed money allows a few anonymous lobbyists to, essentially, buy political support and endorse their favorite candidates at the expense of the 99%. Political activists bemoan the multi-million dollar checks continuously rolling in, claiming that the interests of a few wealthy individuals are unfairly dominating American politics. Yet despite the fact that 6 in 10 Americans say they disagree with the Citizens United ruling and 8 in 10 who think that there is "too much big money" in politics - campaign finance reforms have repeatedly failed to make headway in Congress.

In this money-drenched system, the upcoming presidential campaign already looks to be the most expensive in history. The combined total campaign funds raised by the Romney and Obama campaigns reached a whopping 138 million as of May. Experts predict that come fall, spending could exceed $11 billion – that’s more than double the 2008 total.

Yet there are tangible steps that the Securities and Exchange Commission can take to ensure that our democracy doesn’t fall into the hands of a wealthy, anonymous few. Forcing campaign fundraising groups to make public the identities of their donors would provide transparency to a system currently dominated by secret spending and corporate interests. It’s time to reclaim our democracy from the stampede of mega donor-fueled super PACs!

Issues:
  1. Update #1

    Posted by Jade Kachina (Campaign Leader) on Jun 29, 2012

    Thanks for signing the petition! Over 1,000 of you are fed up with the secret spending that allows corporate interests to dominate our political system.

    For those of you who are keen to delve further into the secret universe of campaign finance, Mother Jones posted an interactive map tracking the flow and impact of money in American politics. Casting conservative, liberal, and 501(c) groups as planets orbiting the 2012 election, the map allows you to peer into these key players’ funding...

    Thanks for signing the petition! Over 1,000 of you are fed up with the secret spending that allows corporate interests to dominate our political system.

    For those of you who are keen to delve further into the secret universe of campaign finance, Mother Jones posted an interactive map tracking the flow and impact of money in American politics. Casting conservative, liberal, and 501(c) groups as planets orbiting the 2012 election, the map allows you to peer into these key players’ funding totals and top donors. Unfortunately, we can't see individual donor information for each of these "planets" because Super PACS are not required to reveal their funding sources. The data is live so keep checking in to see how the hundreds of millions of donor dollars that continue to pour in will impact the financial constellation of this election!

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Discuss the petition

25 comments have been posted
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Can't sign won't take

Sheelah Murthy

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Because there's no choice when both officials are funded by GoldmanSachs.

I AM NOT AMERICAN.

Sergio Solis · Miami Dade College.

I agree with this petition in its effort to publicize who and how much money has been given to each candidate. That way, the general public will have an idea where these donations - many in extremely large.
amounts - originate from. The public will be MUCH more informed for the reasons why certain individuals/organizations are in favor or against a candidate and/or their stance on certain matters.

Wealthy men who have selfish desires, if not checked, will use their money to control Government and determine political decisions. Therefore, it is imperative, if we are to trust in a democratic Government, that its political sponsors be disclose to the public for which they serve. Also, His Imperial Majesty, Haile Sellassie I, in his address to the O.A.U. Summit in Cairo, Egypt on July 24, 1964, saids this, in his warning of the dangers that face Africa, by those who has the economic...

Wealthy men who have selfish desires, if not checked, will use their money to control Government and determine political decisions. Therefore, it is imperative, if we are to trust in a democratic Government, that its political sponsors be disclose to the public for which they serve. Also, His Imperial Majesty, Haile Sellassie I, in his address to the O.A.U. Summit in Cairo, Egypt on July 24, 1964, saids this, in his warning of the dangers that face Africa, by those who has the economic power: "Neo-colonialism today takes two forms: economic and political. We recognize that economic dominance is not only often the more difficult to eliminate, but often serves as the entering wedge for political domination." This is unversally evident. It is therefore, a problem that we must all unite in eliminating from the face of the earth. Nations should be govern by just and open policies, and not by secrecy. Furthermore, the Bible teaches us that anything done in secrecy is not of God, but of the Devil.

WE ARE SAYING;WE PEOPLE HAVE THE POWER;TO ELECT YOU;;N IF WORK IS NOT DONE CLEAN;UR OUT;P.

Citizens of the USA: Do not stand by and watch the fate of our nation be spearheaded by a bunch of wealthy men/women and countries (intent on getting wealthier!). Campaign contributions must be disclosed. When the Koch Brothers hold multi-million dollar fundraisers - who exactly is contributing? I heard they hosted a $250,000 a plate dinner and there was a total of 27 attendees. Those 27 contributed millions and no one knows who they are or what/who they represent - they could be from China,...

Citizens of the USA: Do not stand by and watch the fate of our nation be spearheaded by a bunch of wealthy men/women and countries (intent on getting wealthier!). Campaign contributions must be disclosed. When the Koch Brothers hold multi-million dollar fundraisers - who exactly is contributing? I heard they hosted a $250,000 a plate dinner and there was a total of 27 attendees. Those 27 contributed millions and no one knows who they are or what/who they represent - they could be from China, Iran, the Middle East (Saudi Arabia), Egypt, etc. Our country is being molded by outside forces, not friendly to the American people. Only friendly to money and POWER!

I want you to really consider this and pass it on. Get involved and sign the petition.

The idea that it is ok to Buy our Democracy is unconscionable.

I agree with this petition and I say it must go much further. It made perfect sense to me as a child in the 40s and 50s that the media had to provide equal (free) time to opposing candidates. There was also a clear understanding of what "responsible journalism" meant. Let us try these simple measures once again and have a measure of peace from this waste of funds (even if they're private) and war of irresponsible, unsubstantiated lies. Everyone knows this is happening - why do we put up with it?

Very good you have taken I also want to tell to my other friends please send me the box or the procedure as to how I can invite them for the inclusion in to the signing the petition , please!

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