September, 2009
IN THIS ISSUE:
MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER…CAMPUS HIGHLIGHT…CAMPUS ACTIONS…OUR GREAT DM STAFF…MONEY ON MY MIND…CONGRESSIONAL “FAIR ELECTIONS”…ADONAL HONORED AS OUSTANDING HUMANITARIAN…DEMOCRACY MATTERS ON THE AIR…FACTS YOU CAN USE
MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER:
Welcome to Democracy Matters and E-News 2009! Students in our 56 chapters in 22 states from Massachusetts to California and Texas to Minnesota are already planning great events to mobilize political engagement and support for citizen-funded elections.
This year I’ll be in Orlando playing again for the Magic. But know that I am with you, wherever you are doing the good work of making our democracy real – fairer, more inclusive, and more responsive.
Let’s get started!
Read more from our Founder.
CAMPUS HIGHLIGHT – SUNY/NEW PALTZ
Starting their 5th year as a DM chapter with a bang, students at the NY State University / New Paltz have already begun organizing! Co-coordinators Maria Davila and Rachel Williams are planning a concert in conjunction with “Rock the Vote” with local bands, speakers, and money in politics information. Students get in if they are already or are willing to register to vote.
Other great ideas include a monthly “Donuts for Democracy” tabling event with displays about DM, questions about money and politics, and a free donut if you answer them right! Also a “Dirty Democracy Soap Party,” creating hand-made soap to send to elected officials, with a plea for “clean” elections.
Go New Paltz DM!
Read our Activist Blog.
CAMPUS ACTIONS – CONSTITUTION DAY, SEPTEMBER 17th
Democracy Matters chapters on many campuses will be celebrating this year’s Constitution Day. Reminding students and faculty that the ideals of the Constitution require an active and engaged citizenry, they will urge everyone to join DM to deepen democracy.
For other great ideas for campus actions and campaigns go to Action Campaigns.
OUR GREAT DM STAFF
Our DM Field Staff will be returning for another exciting year! Megan Luce has moved from Vermont to the balmy air of Wilmington, NC and will be staffing the DM office there, while Emily Pears will again be in San Francisco.
They will be assisted by our Executive Director, Joan Mandle, in the national office in Hamilton NY, and by Susan Critton, our Administrative Assistant, who will be working remotely from her new home in Panama.
In addition, this year our new “Alumni Mentors” program gets going. Former DM interns including Lydia Gottesfeld, Michael Case, Zach Germaniuk, and Tristan Schulhof are volunteering to mentor current DM interns. If you are a Democracy Matters alum and would like to sign up to help, email joanm@democracymatters.org.
Read more about our Staff.
MONEY ON MY MIND
In his monthly column, Jay Mandle, Professor of Economics at Colgate University, decries the stalled health care debate, pointing to the health care industry’s huge Congressional campaign contributions as the main culprit.
Read the full article and explore other issues of MOMM.
CONGRESSIONAL “FAIR ELECTIONS” MOVES AHEAD
The opportunity to create a publicly financed option for Congressional candidates took a big step forward this summer.
Supportive organizations including Democracy Matters attended a successful July hearing called by the House Administration Committee. A number of members gave moving testimony:
Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.): “I hate the fact that the general public thinks that every time I raise a dollar, I’m being bought.”
Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC): “Let’s return Congress to where they vote based on their conscience not on the influence or perceived influence of money that buys the conscience. Let’s return it back to the people.”
Rep. John Larson (D-CT) “[Depending on private campaign contributions] erodes the faith and trust of the American people in their government – a critical part of our democracy.”
Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA): “I’m going to put it on the record, I hate raising money for campaigns. The only two people I know who enjoyed it, both went to prison.”
With over 85 Congressional co-sponsors, “Fair Elections” now joins other critical issues on this year’s legislative agenda.
For more information on Congressional Fair Elections click here.
ADONAL HONORED AS OUSTANDING HUMANITARIAN
The Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame has named Adonal Foyle as one of its 2009 inductees. Adonal’s work with Democracy Matters, his outstanding community involvement over his 13 years in the NBA, and free summer camps for children in his home country of St. Vincent earned him this great honor. Congratulations Adonal!
Read more about Adonal.
DEMOCRACY MATTERS ON THE AIR
Each year, DM campus chapters use campus radio stations and newspapers to educate and mobilize thousands of students. Over the summer, WRCU, a local NPR affiliate, aired a weekly half hour talk show called “Democracy Matters.”
With DM’s Executive Director Joan Mandle as host, “Democracy Matters” explored how hot-button issues are linked to money and politics. Subjects included health care, the economy, the defense budget, Iraq and Afghanistan, global warming, and the Obama Administration’s political agenda.
Mandle urged listeners to fight for a real democracy – one where politicians take action for the public interest, not for the special interests.
Create your own radio program on campus!
FACTS YOU CAN USE
Democracy Matters’ partner, Public Citizen, has launched a new campaign, “Don’t Get Rolled,” to fight the threatened rollback of corporate campaign finance limits on big campaign contributions.
On September 9th the Supreme Court will hear arguments on whether the present limits to corporate giving should be lifted. As Public Campaign states: “A century of modest limits on corporate influence in politics could be completely rolled back, crushing progress on health care, the environment, energy, economic recovery…on everything.”
In this nightmare scenario, our political democracy would be even more overwhelmed by corporate special interest dollars, and our voices silenced.
To honor our 2010 DMers we alphabetically list 12 DM chapters in each E-News.
Allegheny College, Binghamton University, Bloomsburg University, Boston University, Bowie State University, Brown University, Bryn Mawr College, Buffalo State College, Calvin College, Carlson School of Management, Colgate University, Fresno Pacific University…(to be continued)
More Campus Chapters.
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