MESSAGE FROM ADONAL…QUOTE OF THE MONTH…IDEA OF THE MONTH…MONEY ON MY MIND…SAVE THE DATES…FACTS YOU CAN USE…
MESSAGE FROM ADONAL
Welcome back and Happy New Year! 2016 is an exciting and critical election year for our money in politics movement. As never before, the disastrous power of mega-donors in our democracy is clear. Democracy Matters students everywhere are elevating the issue in caucuses and primaries, registering students to vote, and ensuring they get to the polls. I am so proud that their hard work is continuing to build a strong voting block of student “money in politics” voters.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“Democracy breaks down when the average person feels their voice doesn’t matter, that the system is rigged in favor of the rich or the powerful or some special interest. We have to reduce the influence of money in our politics, so that a handful of families or hidden interests can’t bankroll our elections.”
President Barack Obama, January 2016, State of the Union Address
IDEA OF THE MONTH – STUDENTS IN ACTION
As the first tests of the 2016 Presidential election near, Democracy Matters students are already impacting primaries and caucuses with our focus on the undemocratic political power of wealthy donors. We will continue to emphasize this critical issue with students and other voters, and with candidates for Congress and the presidency, right up through the November election.
- Democracy Matters at the University of New Hampshire, in coalition with the Progressive Justice League, introduced a resolution in their student senate to cancel classes on the day of the New Hampshire primary. They maintain that a student “day off” will strengthen our democracy by significantly raising student turnout.
- Leading up to the New Hampshire primary, Keene State Democracy Matters is hosting discussions, documentary screenings, and a teach-in on money in politics featuring faculty and DM’s Political Director, Max Stahl. The teach-in is being filmed by NHK, Japan’s public television station, as part of their report on student activism in the 2016 election.
- Massachusetts DM chapters plan to travel to New Hampshire before the February primary, canvassing on NH campuses, reminding students of the importance of money in politics, and urging them to vote.
- And DMers everywhere have been phone-banking Iowa voters, urging them to prioritize the issue of money in politics when they attend the February 1st caucuses.
MONEY ON MY MIND
Let’s invite the President to Washington for the April “Money in Politics & Voting Rights” actions! In this month’s column, Jay Mandle suggests that by demanding that Obama support the national demonstrations and events to be held in DC, our growing movement can at once increase its visibility and gain even more adherents.
Read the full article and explore other issues of MOMM.
SAVE THE DATES
April will see a major outpouring of direct protest in Washington DC. Activists will demand a democracy that works for all of us – a nation where our votes are not denied and where money doesn’t buy access and power. In coalition with over 150 other organizations and thousands of participants, Democracy Matters will be there!
- April 2-11 Democracy Spring is sponsoring a march from Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell to the Capitol in Washington.
- April 11-17 Democracy Spring is sponsoring non-violent civil disobedience protesting Congressional inaction in getting big money out of politics.
- April 17-18 Democracy Awakening is sponsoring cultural events, concert, teach-ins, and huge family-friendly “Democracy Rally.”
- April 19 Congress of Conscience is sponsoring an interaction with members of Congress, urging them to protect the right to vote for all.
For more information see: http://www.democracyspring.org/ wealthy_and_poor
FACTS YOU CAN USE
Wealthy Americans’ political attitudes differ dramatically from those of the general public. Rich individuals are significantly less favorable to policies that reduce inequality or strengthen economic opportunity. They use their vast wealth to dominate our political process and to keep politicians indebted to them. It’s not surprising that legislation mirrors the policy preferences of the wealthy.
- 68% of the public, but 43% of the wealthy believe: “Government must see that no one is without food, clothing or shelter.”
- 78% of the public, but 40% of the wealthy favor: ”A minimum wage high enough so that no family with a full-time worker falls below the official poverty line.”
- 50% of the public, but 23% of the wealthy believe: “Government should provide a decent standard of living for the unemployed.”
- 68% of the public, but 19% of the wealthy believe: “The federal government ought to see to it that everyone who wants work can find a job.”
To honor our 2015 activists, we list ten Democracy Matters chapters in each E-News:
DUKE UNIVERSITY…EMERSON COLLEGE…EMORY UNIVERSITY…GETTYSBURG COLLEGE…GUILFORD COLLEGE…HARVARD UNIVERSITY…IONA COLLEGE…KEENE STATE COLLEGE…MARYGROVE COLLEGE…NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY…
More Campus Chapters.