Original Post: http://www.getmoneyoutaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/UnityStatementSigners0116.pdf
The following is a statement of principles endorsed by 131 organizations in support of a wide range of solutions to the undue influence of big money in politics. Coming together to protect our fundamental democratic values, this is the largest collection of groups ever aligned behind such an extensive set of policy solutions to the money in politics challenge.
Each reform measure is an integral part of the solution, together working to build the type of democracy Americans want to live in.
Unity Statement of Principles
Solutions to the Undue Influence of Money in Politics
Democracy requires a commitment to self‐government passed from one generation to the next. We recognize our obligation to preserve our representative democracy as our way of resolving reasonable disagreements on public policy. Like generations before us, we come together as citizens setting aside policy differences and uniting to preserve our democracy, so that government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from this Earth. We stand united in support of a comprehensive set of public policies that recognizes the people as the ultimate check on the corrosive influence of money in politics that is eroding the very foundation of self‐government.
This Unity Statement of Principles reflects policies already working in many parts of the country to ensure a democracy where everyone participates and everyone’s voice is heard; where everyone knows who is buying influence in our elections and government; and where politicians play by common sense rules and are held accountable with enforceable penalties to deter bad behavior.
1. Everyone participates: In a democracy, everyone should have a voice in the decisions affecting their lives. Our system of funding elections should not privilege any particular interest, nor suppress the voices of others. We need to provide incentives that encourage the active participation of small donors in our elections so candidates are accountable to, and dependent on, the people, not moneyed interests.
2. Everyone’s voice is heard: Our democracy is based on the principle of one person, one vote—not one dollar, one vote. From equal access to the ballot box to the right not to be silenced by big money, democracy requires we recognize each other as equals in the political process. When elected representatives only hear the policy preferences of the very rich it distorts government’s responsiveness to the people. We need limits on using money in politics so our democracy doesn’t just respond to wealthy and corporate interests but responds to the needs of the people.
3. Everyone knows: Voters have the right to know who is trying to influence our views and gain improper influence over our representatives. We need effective disclosure requirements for the use of money at all levels of government because transparency is a foundation for accountability.
4. Everyone plays by common sense rules: Access to and influence over our elected representatives should not be determined by the size of your wallet. We must overturn the effects of cases like Citizens United v. FEC and McCutcheon v. FEC and reclaim our Constitution to empower people to adopt common sense rules to stop the improper influence of big money on our government.
5. Everyone is held accountable: We need a fair and accessible elections system so our elected officials will be responsive and accountable to the people. This requires the FEC, IRS, SEC, FCC, and state agencies to enforce our laws so those who break them face real consequences that deter bad behavior.
Signers as of January 16, 2015
350 Colorado
ActivUs
AFL-CIO
Alliance for a Just Society
American Association of University Women (AAUW)
American Family Voices
American Sustainable Business Council
APALA-DC
Appalachian Coalition for Just and Sustainable Communities
Asian Americans Advancing Justice
Ben & Jerry’s
Bend the Arc Jewish Action
Boston Common Asset Management
Brave New Films
Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law
BridgeRoots
Center for Effective Government
Center For Environmental Health
Center for Media and Democracy
Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists
Center for Science in the Public Interest
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
Chicago Democratic Socialists of America
Christopher Reynolds Foundation
Citizen Works
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW)
Co-operate Colorado
Coffee Party USA
Common Cause
Communications Workers of America
Community Organizations in Action
Conference of Major Superiors
Constitutional Accountability Center
Corporate Accountability International
Courage Campaign
Cow Hollow Fund at San Francisco Foundation
CT Citizen Action Group (CCAG)
Daily Kos
Democracy 21
Democracy for America
Democracy Matters
Democracy Matters – UPenn Chapter
Demos
Eco-Justice Ministries
Endangered Species Coalition
Energy and Policy Institute
Environment Texas
Ethical Markets Media
Every Voice
Fair Share
Food & Water Watch
Franciscan Action Network
Free Speech For People
Friends of the Earth
Government Accountability Project
Green Party Alliance at USF
Greenpeace
Harrington Investments
Illinois Democratic Women
Illinois Right to Know GMO
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Investor Voice
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement
Issue One
Jobs With Justice
Justice Party USA
Kansas Values Institute
League of Conservation Voters
Left Action
LocalHarvest
Metro Denver
Missionary Oblates JPIC
Money Out Voters In
MoveOn.org
MOVI Wisconsin
NAACP
National Coalition on Black Civic Participation
National LGBTQ Task Force
National People’s Action Campaign
National Women’s Political Caucus
Natural Resources Defense Council
NCLR Action Fund
NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
New Progressive Alliance
Newground Social Investment
North Carolina Voters for Clean Elections Coalition
NorthStar Asset Management, Inc.
Northwest Side Housing Center
OurTime.org
Pax World Management LLC
Pay to Play
People Demanding Action
People For the American Way
People’s Email Network
Piper Fund
Progress Florida
Progress Texas
Progressive Change Campaign Committee
Progressive Democrats of America
Public Campaign
Public Citizen
Purdue NORML
Represent.Us
ReThink Media
Roosevelt Institute | Campus Network
RootsAction
Say No To Big Money
Sierra Club
Sisters of Mercy – Institute Justice Team
Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia
Social Equity Group
Stamp Stampede
State Innovation Exchange (SiX)
Story of Stuff
Temple Political Science Society
The Main Street Alliance
The Other 98%
UConn Students for Sensible Drug Policy
Unitarian Universalist Association
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries
Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk, U.S. Province
US PIRG
USAction
Vermont PIRG
Voices for Progress
WAmend
Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Women Donors Network
Working America
Young Democratic Socialists
Zevin Asset Management, LLC