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Friend,
As the presidential election trail pace intensifies, so do American citizens’ concerns about the state of our democracy. While recent polls show a majority of Americans think foreign governments will try to influence the 2020 election, and billionaires continue to pour money into campaigns—their own and others’—the average voter is left to wonder what influence they truly have.
Our influence lies in the majority of voters who know the American political system can, and must, be better—and must give equal voice to every American. And that when it does, we can solve so many of the policy issues we face.
In my work with American Promise citizen leaders across the country, I’ve witnessed how this common belief creates momentum and energy, and how the call for a constitutional amendment to reduce the influence of money in politics is growing louder with strength from additional voices across the political spectrum—like Hal Gurian and John DeSpelder of Michigan, highlighted in this week’s newsletter.
This year we’re hearing the call for change loudly in Minnesota, Maine, Alaska and other locations across the country where citizen leaders are talking with their elected officials, urging them to join the movement for the 28th Amendment, and realizing the power we all have when we come together.
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Kimberly Clinch
Citizen Empowerment Coordinator,
American Promise
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Political Spending from Foreign Entities Threatens American Democracy
As the 2020 presidential campaign ramps up, there have been reports of continued foreign interference in the election, on both sides of the aisle. Americans across the political spectrum want to protect our elections, but our campaign finance laws and the inability of the Federal Election Commission to oversee election security are putting our democracy at risk.
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A Conversation on Money in Politics: Reaching Across the Divide to Save Our Democracy
Hal Gurian and John DeSpelder are friends on opposite sides of the political aisle who share deep concerns about the dysfunctional state of our democracy and have teamed with American Promise to do something about it. Learn more from John and Hal about their experience in Washington, D.C., and the need for bipartisan collaboration to fix our ailing democracy.
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This video on American Promise’s YouTube channel features Federal Elections Commissioner Ellen Weintraub speaking about the influence of dark money on our politics at a Congressional hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. |
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Keep up with the latest American Promise events, statements by citizen leaders, and much more by subscribing to our YouTube channel. The page includes highlights from the National Citizen Leadership Conference, recordings of monthly American Promise calls, a look at American Promise on the Road, and other videos that show the movement for the 28th Amendment in action.
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| What We’re Tracking This Week
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From the Cape Cod Times: In an opinion article, Ann Shea of Mashpee shares highlights from the Massachusetts Citizens Commission report on the influence of money in the electoral process. The overarching conclusion of the report, she says, “is that at every level of government, our elections are unfair” and points to a need for a constitutional amendment that allows for regulation of campaign contributions. Read more.
From The New Center: A newly released report from The New Center, a nonpartisan think tank, says that installing a coordinator at the White House to oversee election security is critical for unifying the government’s efforts to combat threats to future elections. Read more.
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From WDEL: Judy and Hays Butler of the American Promise Delaware chapter will discuss the need for a constitutional amendment to reduce the influence of money in politics on a live radio show. Listen via livestream to “Del-AWARE with Allan Loudell” at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 27. Listen here.
From The Fulcrum: A new report from the Center for American Progress outlines how gerrymandering has affected state decisions on Medicaid expansion. According to the report, states with Republican-controlled legislatures were more likely to limit access to the government-subsidized health insurance despite significant bipartisan support for Medicaid nationwide. Read more.
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| Upcoming American Promise Events
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March 5, Salem, MA: Author and award-winning scholar Nancy MacLean will discuss her new book, “Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plan for America,” which has been called “perhaps the best explanation to date of the roots of the political divide that threatens to irrevocably alter American government.” Nancy was a speaker at the 2019 National Citizen Leadership Conference. 7 p.m.-8 p.m., Veterans Hall, Ellison Campus Center, Salem State University. Learn more.
March 6, Concord, MA: Author and award-winning scholar Nancy MacLean will discuss her new book, “Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plan for America,” which has been called “perhaps the best explanation to date of the roots of the political divide that threatens to irrevocably alter American government.” Nancy was a speaker at the 2019 National Citizen Leadership Conference. 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., First Parish Church. Learn more.
March 10, St. Paul, MN: The Democracy is Brewing tour makes a stop in Minnesota, where State Coordinator Vicki Barnes and American Promise State Manager Azor Cole will discuss how to get involved locally in the national fight to get big money out of politics. 5 p.m.-7 p.m., Lake Monster Brewing. Learn more.
March 11, St. Paul, MN: Join Minnesotans advocating for their state to become the 21st calling for a constitutional amendment to get big money out of politics. During Citizen Lobby Day, citizen leaders will provide training for in-person meetings with legislators at the Minnesota Capitol. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Learn more.
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American Promise empowers Americans to act together to win the 28th Amendment so people, not money, govern in America.
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