On the 5th Anniversary of Citizens United, Urge your Congressional Members to Put Democracy Back in the Hands of Voters

January 21, 2015 marks the fifth anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, defining a corporation as a ‘person’ with the same free speech rights under the First Amendment as individuals. Moreover, it held that political spending is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment of the Constitution. This decision undid campaign-finance law that protected voters from undue corporate influence and prevented corporations and unions from electioneering. Now, they can influence elections by funding campaigns through political action committees and financing political ads.

The Citizens United decision set a precedent for the further opening of campaign spending by wealthy individuals and interest groups. In 2012, the Supreme Court ruled in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission that corporations and wealthy donors are no longer limited in their aggregate biennial contributions to campaigns.

Together, these decisions have created a disaster for the promise of democracy – a promise that says that every voice counts. More now than ever, the voices of profit-seeking corporations and special interests are louder and hold the attention of our elected officials more than the voices the average Americans.

Tell your Representatives to support a Constitutional Amendment to put democracy back in the hands of voters. 

Source: EyeonMiami.blogspot.com

In the past five years, we have seen an unprecedented amount of spending each election cycle.  These large contributions by corporations and wealthy interest groups have influenced our nation’s policies. Legislation to end gun violence address climate change, and pass just immigration reform have failed partly due to hefty campaign contributions from the companies that profit from these social problems. Our lawmakers are beholden to the interests of those that help them get elected. For example, ninety percent of Americans support some kind of gun control, like universal background checks, yet such legislation lies fallow in Congress. Lawmakers and and private interests have facilitated the appalling privatization of our prison system, because they stand to make money on the backs of prisoners.  Little will change until we demand that the wealthiest no longer have greater access and power over our lawmakers than the average citizen.

The Christian Call to Respond

As Christians we are called to be prophetic in how we care for the most marginalized and vulnerable people in our nation. They are the ones most affected by the disproportionate voice of money in politics. To be good partners and advocates for the issues that matter most to them, we must stand for change.

In “Lift Every Voice: Democracy, Voting Rights, and Electoral Reform,” the 218^th General Assembly stated that:

“Large sums of money, and the time needed to raise it, dominate our electoral and legislative processes. Money buys access to legislators as well as to the details in legislation. If they reject special interest money, candidates fear that their opponents will outspend them—and spending counts: incumbents almost always raise more money than challengers, and the candidate who spends the most money almost always wins. (For House seats, the number is more than 90 percent.) Because the Supreme Court has ruled [that] campaign contributions are a protected form of “speech,” the most important reform to enhance the voice of citizens and reduce the role of powerful special interests and big money in elections is public financing. Under such systems, candidates or parties receive public funds to replace or augment private money. Public funding can curb the appearance of the influence of big money over lawmakers, encourage candidates with limited resources to run for office, and allow politicians to spend less time raising money and more time serving their constituents.” [emphasis added] - Lift Every Voice: Democracy, Voting Rights, and Electoral Reform. P. 14

Write to your Members of Congress, asking for a Constitutional Amendment to overturn Citizens United.

Is Campaign Finance Reform Possible?

In September 2014, the Senate voted on a joint resolution ‘Democracy for All’, that would overturn Citizens United and McCutcheon v. FEC, as well as establish that Congress and the states can regulate election spending. This was a historic vote; even though it failed to receive the 60 votes necessary to end debate, it is the farthest an amendment of this kind has advanced. It showed that concern for the undue influence of money in politics is growing among our legislators. We are calling for the 114^th Congress to bring a Constitutional Amendment back to the floor.

The Office of Public Witness is participating in a broad-based effort to highlight the damage Citizens United has done to our democracy in the last five years. On January 21, we will join with our partners in the faith and advocacy community to rally in D.C. in front of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to bring attention to the issue.

Join in our efforts to bring democracy back to the people.  

November 4, 2014 is Election Day: Get Out the Vote!

The 2014 Midterm elections on November 4 are just one month away! Are you registered to vote? You can still register to vote in 25 states. What is your plan-- are you voting early or voting on election day? Are you encouraging your friends, neighbors, and members of your church to vote? If you are outside of the state in which you are registered to vote, make sure to request an absentee ballot in time (this is different for every state). For those who aren’t eligible to vote, use your voice to encourage other people to vote! Voting is both one of our fundamental rights as citizens and is a vital way we speak to the values of the kingdom of God in the political realm.

Click here to take a pledge to vote today.

 

As a member of a congregation, how is your congregation getting out the vote? You might assume churches can’t be involved in elections because of their non-partisan 501(c)(3) status, but there are many ways that you can. Here are some do’s and don’ts of congregation and clergy involvement in political action.

Do’s: [1]

• Educate community and congregation members about issues important to you and your community.

• Support church and community members on Election Day by providing rides, preparing to-go dinners for voters, or offering childcare for parents.

•  Encourage members of your congregation and community to vote and help them register, if that option is still available 

• Incorporate voting into your Sunday worship service or host a voter informational session after your worship service.

• Protect the right to vote at polling places. Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE to report any violations you observe or hear about on Election Day.[2] 

• Host a Bible Study on living into the roles of both Christian and Citizen.

Don’ts:

• Churches may not endorse specific candidates for office.

• Churches may not contribute to political campaigns.

Why should Christians vote?

Photo credit: United Church of Christ

Presbyterians have long expressed the importance of Christian participation in public life, and by extension the democratic process. The Confession of 1967 laid out the reasons the body of Christ should be involved in the reconciliation of society, saying, “In each time and place there are particular problems and crises through which God calls the church to act.” [3] By voting, we choose the leaders who then act for the reconciliation of society to which we are called.

The 200^th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) adopted a policy statement called “God Alone is Lord of the Conscience” that affirms the importance of religious community participation in public life. “According to the Reformed tradition…faith demands engagement in the secular order and involvement in the political realm.” [4]

Midterm elections are an especially crucial time to get out the vote. Americans with the most extreme political views on both sides tend to vote in midterm elections. We must exercise our rights and speak with our voices of faith to who we want to be as a nation this election season.

Other Resources:

Check out The United Church of Christ’s “Our Faith, Our Vote” resource.

Visit the Interfaith Alliance’s Election year Resource Center.

Don't forget to pledge to vote today.

May we leverage our collective voices of faith to promote the common good in our nation and around the world. We’ll see you at the polls!

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[1] “Do’s and Don’ts” are compiled from resources provided by the United Church of Christ “Our Faith, Our Vote:” http://www.ucc.org/ourfaithourvote/ and NETWORK Nuns on the Bus “I am a Voter” campaign: http://www.networklobby.org/bus2014/vote. Please note: the Presbyterian Office of Public Witness cannot provide legal advice on these matters. Direct all questions to qualified legal counsel.

[2] In “Lift Every Voice: Democracy, Voting Rights, and Electoral Reform” published by ACSWP with ACREC in 2008, the 218^th General Assembly of the PC(USA) voiced concern for obstacles to voter participation and affirmed voting early, easing absentee ballot restrictions, and making election day a national holiday as ways to insure “equality and fairness in the process.”

[3] Confession of 1967: http://www.creeds.net/reformed/conf67.htm

[4]  “God Alone is Lord of the Conscience” Approved by the 200^th General Assembly (1988) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Letter to House on Democracy for All Amendment

Alliance for a Just Society • American Association of University Women • American Family Voices Center for Media and Democracy • Common Cause • Conference of Major Superiors of Men Consumers Union • Communications Workers of America (CWA) • Corporate Accountability International • Daily Kos • Food & Water Watch • Franciscan Action Network • Free Speech for People Greenpeace • Jobs with Justice • Leadership Conference of Women Religious • League of Conservation Voters • Main Street Alliance • Money Out Voters In (MOVI) • National Education Association (NEA) • NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby • OurTime.org • People for the American Way • Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) • Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) Progressive Democrats of America • Public Campaign • Public Citizen • Sierra Club • Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – Institute Justice Team • United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries USAction • U.S. PIRG • Voices for Progress 

September 17, 2014 

Dear Speaker Boehner and Majority Leader McCarthy: 

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions in recent years in Citizens United v. FEC, McCutcheon v. FEC, and other cases have subjected our democracy to a tidal wave of corporate and special interest money in elections. This unlimited campaign spending seriously threatens our democracy and silences the voices of average Americans. As Justice Breyer wrote in his dissent to McCutcheon, “where enough money calls the tune, the general public will not be heard.” 

Because our government is becoming too dominated by big money interests to be responsive to the needs of everyday Americans, we are writing to urge you to allow a vote this year on H.J. Res. 119, the Democracy for All Amendment. 

This proposed constitutional amendment, which has more than 100 cosponsors, would re-establish Congress and the states’ ability to pass common-sense guidelines for election spending. It can help to ensure that our elected officials pay more attention to the people who elect them rather than their campaign donors. The amendment would overturn Citizens United v. FEC, McCutcheon v. FEC, and the 1976 Buckley v. Valeo ruling and restore First Amendment values of democratic self-government. 

If the wealthiest Americans and corporations can drown out the voices of ordinary Americans, we cease to be a democracy. In fact, a 2014 Princeton study analyzing 1,800 different policy initiatives over a 20+ year period concluded that we have now become an oligarchy in which “economic elites and organized groups representing business interests” wield the most power. 

We cannot fully address the many challenges our country faces—jobs and the economy, energy independence, housing security, and many others—until we solve the root issue of money dominating politics. Passing a constitutional amendment is a critical way to elevate the voices of everyday Americans so that everyone, not just the wealthy few, can be heard. To date, 16 states and 500+ localities representing more than 100 million Americans have called on Congress to pass an amendment to get big money out of politics. 

Amending the Constitution should only be done in the rarest of circumstances. However, America has reached a tipping point in which big-moneyed interests exert control over all levers of government. Instead of being of, by, and for the corporations and ultra-wealthy, American democracy needs to turn to an era of, by, and for the people. A majority of senators have voted for a fair and open debate on a companion Democracy for All Amendment, and the House should have a debate as well. We strongly urge you to allow an open debate and a floor vote on H.J. Res. 119, the Democracy for All Amendment, so that ordinary Americans will again have a voice in our democracy. 

Sincerely, 

Alliance for a Just Society 

American Association of University Women 

American Family Voices 

Center for Media and Democracy 

Common Cause 

Conference of Major Superiors of Men 

Consumers Union 

Communications Workers of America (CWA) 

Corporate Accountability International 

Daily Kos 

Food & Water Watch 

Franciscan Action Network 

Free Speech for People 

Greenpeace 

Jobs with Justice 

Leadership Conference of Women Religious 

League of Conservation Voters 

Main Street Alliance 

Money Out Voters In (MOVI) 

National Education Association (NEA) 

NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby 

OurTime.org 

People for the American Way 

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 

Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) 

Progressive Democrats of America 

Public Campaign 

Public Citizen 

Sierra Club 

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – Institute Justice Team 

United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries 

USAction 

U.S. PIRG 

Voices for Progress 

CC: House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer 

Give Democracy Back to the People

Take Action: Call on Senators to Give Democracy Back to the People

Next week - on Monday, September 8 - the United States Senate will vote on a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and return the power of political voice to the people. As of right now, 50 out of 100 senators are on board. With just one more, the balance will at last tilt away from Citizens United, back toward democracy.

At this historic moment, there are still some Senators who can be convinced to vote in favor of their constituents, and not the special interests. But they need to hear from you.

Email your Senators now!

Call on Monday, September 8th, call (866) 937-7983 to reach the Capitol Switchboard and express support for the Democracy for All Amendment. This amendment will ensure that all Americans, regardless of their wealth, can have their voices heard in our elections and our government. The amendment will give the power back to Congress to regulate special interest spending in elections.

Take action today so that the amendment gains majority support and our movement to defend democracy builds even more momentum.

Talking points for your call:

• As a person of faith, I believe that democracy belongs in the hands of the people because we are each a special creation of God.
• I therefore urge you to support S.J.Res. 19, a constitutional amendment to establish that Congress and the states have the power to regulate and limit election spending.
• Each person has the right to raise his or her voice in public discourse, but our system today is broken and dominated by big money special interests, whose spending drowns out people’s voices and floods the media with ideological propaganda.
•  The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United, now bolstered by the recent McCutcheon decision, has unleashed a flood of spending on our elections that threatens the very foundation of our democracy.
• We know that corruption can take many forms, not just the quid pro quo of bribery.
• Our country faces great and serious challenges – from putting people back to work to averting catastrophic climate change to building a culture for peace and shalom around the world. But we will fall short unless we repair our democracy.
• Please support S.J.Res. 19.

More Information:

Click here to learn more about the amendment:https://franciscanaction.org/sites/default/files/Udall%20constitutional%20amdt%20one%20pager%205.15.14.pdf

To learn more about our partner, the Franciscan Action Network's Money in Politics campaign click here: https://franciscanaction.org/money-politics

For a theological analysis of the undue influence of money in politics, see Lo$ing Faith in our Democracy, published by Auburn Seminary.

This amendment, S.J.Res. 19, would overturn Citizens United v. FEC , as well as McCutcheon v. FEC, the decision issued earlier this year eliminating the cap on the total amount an individual can contribution to candidates, political parties and political committees. The amendment also would overturn the 1976 Buckley v. Valeo ruling, which established the doctrine colloquially known as “money equals speech.”

The Supreme Court held in McCutcheon that the only legitimate rationale for limiting campaign spending is to prevent quid pro quo corruption – essentially, the crime of bribery. But the American people understand quite well that corruption can take many forms and the problem with big money dominating our elections is far more profound than the narrowly defined crime of bribery. These activist judicial changes to the meaning of our Constitution tilt the entire government to favor big money donors. They deny regular people an equal say in determining the future of our country.

We do not lightly call for amending our great Constitution. But we know that there can be no greater constitutional purpose than ensuring the functioning of our democracy. We urge you in the strongest terms to support S.J.Res.19, so that it quickly becomes the 28th amendment to our Constitution.

PC(USA) General Assembly Witness:

The 218^th General Assembly (2008) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) said,

“Large sums of money, and the time needed to raise it, dominate our electoral and legislative processes. Money buys access to legislators as well as to the details in legislation. If they reject special interest money, candidates fear that their opponents will outspend them—and spending counts: incumbents almost always raise more money than challengers, and the candidate who spends the most money almost always wins. (For House seats, the number is more than 90 percent.) Because the Supreme Court has ruled [that] campaign contributions are a protected form of “speech,” the most important reform to enhance the voice of citizens and reduce the role of powerful special interests and big money in elections is public financing. Under such systems, candidates or parties receive public funds to replace or augment private money. Public funding can curb the appearance of the influence of big money over lawmakers, encourage candidates with limited resources to run for office, and allow politicians to spend less time raising money and more time serving their constituents. [emphasis added]