Even the DC super lobbyists are saying it, money in politics is a problem. Posted on November 14, 2013 (July 16, 2021) Defending Key Reforms Wednesday, as part of a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA), “We Are DC Super Lobbyists,” Quinn Gillespie Associates (a top lobbying shop in DC) President John Feehery and Chairman Jack Quinn discussed the role money plays in the current political system. Quinn wrote, “I happen to believe that the role of money in American politics is a very significant problem, some would say it has reached the point of being a cancer on our democracy.” Read More
Al Gore: “Corporations are not persons. Money is not speech.” Posted on October 19, 2013 (April 14, 2021) Defending Key Reforms In a recent Bloomberg Businessweek interview, Former U.S Vice President Al Gore explains the role money and special interest groups play in politics saying, “Money plays the dominant role in politics today.” Gore also stated that, "Corporations are not persons. Money is not speech. Big anonymous contributors should not call the shots." To watch the full interview click here. Read More
Forbidden Thoughts on McCutcheon v. FEC Posted on October 4, 2013 (April 14, 2021) Defending Key Reforms This post is written by Free Speech for People Co-Founder and President Jeff Clements and is featured on the ACS Law Blog. It reads: Read More
Small Businesses Agree: Campaign Spending Limits Make Good Business Sense Posted on October 4, 2013 (April 14, 2021) Defending Key Reforms The facts are clear — small businesses are overwhelmingly against unlimited campaign spending in elections. Why? Because campaign spending limits makes good business sense. Read More
“Voters and Contributors” Posted on August 20, 2013 (January 4, 2021) Defending Key Reforms The following essay, a part of SCOTUS Blog’s online symposium on the McCutcheon v. FEC case, was written by Professor Tamara Piety. Tamara is a member of our new Legal Advisory Committee. The essay reads: Read More
Jeff Clements Featured Speaker at MassVOTE Spring Fundraiser Posted on June 2, 2013 (December 28, 2020) Defending Key Reforms On Wednesday, June 5th Jeff Clements, Free Speech for People co-founder and author of "Corporations Are Not People", will be the featured speaker at MassVOTE’s annual spring fundraiser in Downtown Boston. Clements will be discussing how some of the largest corporations in the world organized to take over our government and Constitution, culminating in 2010 with the 5-4 Supreme Court decision, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.Read More
The Nation: ‘Organizing for Action’ or ‘Charging for Access’? Posted on March 16, 2013 (December 7, 2020) Defending Key Reforms The Nation has a thoughtful opinion piece by Katrina vanden Heuvel on Organizing For Action, the new 501(c)(4) entity headed by former Obama campaign manager Jim Messina. It quotes our co-founder and Executive Director, John Bonifaz. Here it is, below. ‘Organizing for Action’ or ‘Charging for Access’? Katrina vanden Heuvel on March 7, 2013 – 5:58 PM ET What are we to make of Organizing for Action? Read More
The New York Times: The White House Joins the Cash Grab Posted on March 4, 2013 (December 7, 2020) Defending Key Reforms The New York Times Editorial March 2, 2013 It is tempting to applaud the nonprofit group now spending nearly $100,000 on ads to pressure Republican lawmakers to accept gun-control measures. The group is fighting a well-financed and powerful corporate gun lobby that has never hesitated to spend millions to get its way in Congress. Read More
Supreme Court lets ban stand on direct corporate campaign donations Posted on February 26, 2013 (November 24, 2020) Defending Key Reforms The Washington Post Robert Barnes February 25, 2013 The Supreme Court on Monday decided against reviewing the century-old ban on corporations making direct contributions to federal candidates. The court without comment declined to hear an appeal from two men who said the court’s 2010 decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which allowed corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts on elections, must also nullify the ban on campaign contributions. Read More
USA Today: Supreme Court to hear case on campaign donation limits Posted on February 19, 2013 (November 24, 2020) Defending Key Reforms by Fredreka Schouten, USA TODAY12:11p.m. EST February 19, 2013 [Excerpts:] WASHINGTON – In a move that could signal the end of a key restriction on political giving, the Supreme Court announced Tuesday it will consider a case challenging the limit on how much individuals can donate directly to federal candidates and political parties… Read More