How many of us citizens have asked Congress to deregulate the financial industry, provide less clean water and air, privatize war, prisons and schools, or make drug prices non-negotiable?
With banks having 1,500 lobbyists in D.C., what chance do we have of being heard?Since the Citizens United decision, money is speech so banks are loud. You and I, not so much.And it isn't just D.C. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) writes many of the bills for legislators at the state level. ALEC is funded by corporations, so they are loud here, too.Few people are pleased with government. Few believe they have any influence with their representatives. Our voices are whispers.Changing that picture will at the least require a constitutional amendment. Eleven states and 500 cities have asked Congress to draft an amendment overturning Citizens United. I will be in Austin on Saturday to rally our legislators to this important task. I hope the crowd will be large.Shouldn't your schedule be open for starting to restore our democracy?-- Joe Ahlers, Valley MillsHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
