CAMPUS HIGHLIGHT…DC SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES…QUOTES OF THE MONTH…MONEY ON MY MIND…CELEBRATE MARCH…FACTS YOU CAN USE…
CAMPUS HIGHLIGHT: GREAT NEW DM CHAPTERS
Brand new DM chapters, just getting started, are already making a difference on their campuses. Here are just three examples:
- Bloomsburg University: Starting off with a Facebook page and a pot luck dinner, Matt Kenny is building solid support for DM. His group has scheduled a screening of “PRICELE$$” and is recruiting new students each week.
- State University of NY at Brockport: The Stylus, Brockport’s school paper, has already featured an article about Democracy Matters, and has committed to publish future articles as well. In addition, with strong backing from both faculty and students, Georgiana Perelka is organizing educational poster campaigns and making plans to lobby for “Fair Elections” later this month.
- Millersville University: Abagail Weaver has gathered a group of students intent on spreading the word on how to get big money out of politics and people back in. They are especially interested in and focusing on fracking and voter suppression laws.
DC SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Money and Politics at Public Campaign
1) Field & Accountability
2) Research & Communications
Our sister organization, Public Campaign in Washington D.C., believes that until we reform the way elections are funded, average people working on critical issues will always be fighting an uphill battle. Public Campaign seeks to return to a political system based on “one person, one vote” rather than “one dollar, one vote” through Fair Elections reform, small donor-driven public financing of elections.
An ideal candidate will be self-driven, have a demonstrated passion for politics or social and economic justice, write well, and be eager to learn new organizing skills. Term: June 3rd – August 9th. This position is 40 hrs./week. Stipend: $150/week.
To apply please send a resume, cover letter, and BRIEF writing sample (1-2 pages) to Monica Rober, mrober@publicampaign.org. No phone calls please. Please specify the position you are applying for in the subject line of the email.
Deadline to apply: March 22, 2013
Read more.
QUOTES OF THE MONTH
“A challenge that we must address is the corrupting force of the vast sums of money necessary to run for office. The unending chase for money I believe threatens to steal our democracy.”
John Kerry: Farewell Speech to the Senate, February 28, 2013
“Politicians serve the interests of wealthy corporate donors rather than the interests of the public they represent because they have to spend so much time worrying about the opinions of these large corporate funders. It is much worse now than it has ever been.”
Al Gore: BBC Interview, February, 2013
Read John Kerry’s farewell address.
MONEY ON MY MIND
Jay Mandle analyzes the exciting “pushback against billionaire funded politics” that is underway in New York state. By advocating public financing of campaigns, a significant number of state legislators, as well as Governor Cuomo and a broad coalition of groups organizing a state-wide grassroots campaign, are poised to create something that does not presently exist in the state: office holders who do not have to “divide their loyalty between big contributors and the voters of New York.”
Read the full article and explore other issues of MOMM.
CELEBRATE MARCH
All of March is Women’s History Month in the U.S. And in addition, on March 8th women throughout the world will celebrate the 104th anniversary of “International Women’s Day.” DMers are participating in events to highlight the changes that collective action through social movements have made in women’s and men’s lives.
Unfortunately however, women still lag behind men in U.S. elections, and raising money is a major obstacle for them. States with public campaign financing like Maine and Connecticut see more women running for office and winning because they have the resources to be competitive. Join us this month in celebrating women, justice, and political equality.
Read more.
FACTS YOU CAN USE: ATTACKS ON VOTER INFLUENCE
I. The Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United wasn’t enough for the advocates of big money’s influence in politics. The Court has agreed to hear a challenge that threatens long-established contribution limits on the total amount an individual can contribute to federal campaigns (see the latest “Money On My Mind” above). The claim is made by an Alabama political activist, Shaun McCutcheon, who contributed to 16 different candidates in the 2012 elections but who claims he wanted to give to 12 additional contenders and an additional $24,000 to Republican Party organizations. The total limit on individual contributions to federal candidates and parties in each election cycle is presently $46,200 and McCutcheon wants those limits removed. This would give wealthy campaign funders even more political power at the expense of voters.
II. And right now the Court is hearing arguments that seek to overturn a key provision in the landmark Civil Rights Voting Act that requires states with a history of racial discrimination to get approval from the Court before changing their voting rules. The issue is whether minorities’ voting rights should continue to be protected. On the one hand, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Scalia has argued against continued protection, calling the provision “a racial entitlement.” On the other hand, Congressman John Lewis, a hero of the Civil Rights Movement, has stated that overturning the provision “would be a dagger in the heart of the democratic process. It may not be the overt acts of violence like during the 60’s. But the result is the same.” With less protection for voting rights, the power of big donors grows even stronger.
Read more.