TAKE ACTION
* UNDER CONSTRUCTION *
How to take action: Read & signing petitions! These petitions (& past) have made massive, positive changes for our Dollarocracy & other important changes for the other 99%-98%! Kytatz
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Very Important Petitions to quickly sign IE Citizens United
http://www.democrats.com/organize?registration_prompt#cid=ZGVtczE2NDc0ZGVtcw%3D%3D
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“ALEX” American Legislative Exchange Council
Some of the nation’s largest and richest companies, including Wal-Mart, Coca-Cola, Koch Industries and AT&T, have joined forces to invest millions of dollars each year to promote the careers of thousands of state legislators and secure passage of legislation that puts corporate interests ahead of the interests of ordinary Americans.
The American Legislative Exchange Council, also known as ALEC, counts among its members some 2,000 state legislators and corporate executives. They sit side-by-side and collaborate to draft “model” bills that reach into areas of American life ranging from voting rights to environmental protection. They they work in concert to get those bills passed in statehouses across the country.
Download our August 2011 report, “Legislating Under the Influence: Money Power, and the American Legislative Exchange Council.”
http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=7743229
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FEC Reform
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is the regulatory body established by the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974that is responsible for enforcing campaign finance laws. Common Cause supported the establishment of the FEC but has been critical of its effectiveness and willingness to perform the job it was created to do.
Rather than provide swift rulings and forcefully police the campaign finance and election landscape, the FEC is a failing agency that is built for gridlock and often held captive by the elected officials that it is meant to police.
The FEC is different from other law enforcement agencies in the federal government because it has direct oversight and regulatory authority over Members of Congress. As a result, Congress and especially party leadership tightly control the nomination process and have historically seated commissioners who are loyal to the party that appoints them
http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4773839
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Fix the Presidential Public Financing System!
The nation’s system of public financing for presidential campaigns needs adjustment, but the system’s flaws are no excuse to abandon the system altogether.
Campaigns have changed tremendously in the 30 years since the public financing law was drafted and the law should change as well. But the idea behind public financing, to reduce the influence of big-money contributors in the Oval Office and to allow presidential candidates to devote themselves to a discussion of issues rather than the pursuit of campaign contributions, remains sound.
Tell the Senate to fix — not nix — the presidential public financing system!
http://www.commoncause.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=6591079
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Tell Corporations to Stick to Business
Corporations around the country are ready to dump hundreds of millions of dollars into the 2012 election in an attempt to fill the seats of power with politicians who will do their bidding. But it doesn’t have to be that way: Citizens can send a message to corporations that our democracy is not for sale.
Sign our petition to the 500 largest corporations telling them to refrain from political spending.
We can’t wait for politicians to take action to fix our broken political system. We can, however, start to limit the corrosive influence of special interest money by telling corporations to stick to business, or else they won’t get our business.
http://www.commoncause.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=7854565
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Our Alternative: Fair Elections Now!
CNN reported recently on the fundraisers that big money lobbyists have already started throwing for newly elected members of Congress. (watch the video, right).
Rep. Rahall’s reply: “Well, do you have an alternative?”
Yes, we do – and it’s called the Fair Elections Now Act.
http://www.commoncause.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4860395
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Require health insurance companies to publicly justify rate increases before they go into effect!
Source: California HealthCare Foundation
Fact! Health insurance premiums for California families
rose 153.5% since 2002, more than five times the
rate of inflation.
Fact! Only four insurance companies control 71% of the California market, and they set premiums in secret, behind closed doors.
It’s no surprise that we’re being ripped off. Sign the Official State Ballot Petition to stop the outrageous premium increases and save your family money.
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