Friend,

As we approach the holiday that honors the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I am reminded that the right to freedom and liberty, the right to vote, and the right to political participation were not granted to most Americans by our founding documents. Instead they were all won by Americans who, over years, decades and centuries, and in the face of violence, imprisonment and death, demanded that our country live up to its most important ideals. 

Next week marks the 10th anniversary of the Supreme Court Citizens United decision that unleashed a torrent of big money into our political system, distorting the balance of democracy in favor of the wealthiest. To address this imbalance, today again the American people are coming together and demanding an equal voice for every citizen. 

In honor of Dr. King's memory we celebrate the thousands of Americans who have fought to build a better America for future generations. Thank you for joining them in the ongoing quest to fulfill the greatest promise of our nation. 

From the Los Angeles Times: What effects has the U.S. political system seen since the Citizens United ruling 10 years ago? Read about the array of impacts, including quotes by American Promise President Jeff Clements: “Citizens United says that there are not equal rights when it comes to money in politics, for the decision gives the wealthy and others a megaphone, and it violates the rights of other Americans to be heard.” Read more.

From The Center for Responsive Politics: In this comprehensive report, the Center for Responsive Politics shares a wealth of in-depth research into the many, wide-ranging impacts of the 2010 Citizens United ruling. "In our 35 years of following the money, we've never seen a court decision transform the campaign finance system as drastically as Citizens United," says Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics. Read more. 

From Bangor Daily News: In the face of unprecedented amounts of outside, untraceable money pouring into Maine elections, former Maine congresswoman Diane Russell and senators Dick Woodbury and Ed Youngblood, of various political affiliations, urge Maine citizens to come together at the Stand with Maine launch, in this guest column. Read more. 

From The Brennan Center for Justice: A chart-filled data analysis showcases how the Citizens United decision has shifted our campaign finance system. The report says the creation of super PACs has enabled wealthy special interests to funnel billions into elections, make a mockery of contribution limits, and create a political landscape "that favors the superrich above all others." Read more.  

From The Fulcrum: The latest proposal on the future of the Federal Election Commission comes from 21 government advocacy organizations; the groups suggest that one member be appointed and then a bipartisan blue-ribbon panel should be established to help find qualified candidates to fill the remaining spots. Read more. 
 

From The Dallas Morning News: In this letter to the editor, American Promise member Joan M. Ridley calls on Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn and Representative Colin Allred to support the 28th Amendment.  Read more. 

January 20, Washington, D.C.: Join citizens from across the nation for the United Against Corruption rally in our nation's capitol. American Promise joins our reform partners as an event sponsor, and American Promise board member and former New Hampshire Senator Jim Rubens will join a powerful lineup of speakers including Lawrence Lessig, Manu Meel and Renaldo Pearson. The rally will take place on the U.S. Capitol steps from 1-3 p.m. Learn more.

January 20, Annapolis, MD: Join Get Money Out Maryland and 21 co-sponsoring organizations for a rally outside the Maryland Statehouse marking the 10th anniversary of the Citizens United ruling. State Sen. Will Smith (District 20), Mike Tidwell of Chesapeake Climate Action, and Pastor Delman Coates of Our Money will headline a group of speakers at a 6:30 p.m. rally for a democracy reform amendment to the Constitution, followed by visits with state legislators. Learn more.

 

January 20, Santa Fe, NM: Join American Promise Santa Fe, New Mexicans for Money Out of Politics and Indivisible Santa Fe at an event with U.S. Representative Ben Ray Lujan and other members of congress marking the 10th anniversary of Citizens United and honoring New Mexico's significant support for overturning the decision. 7 p.m. at the Santa Fe Center for Progress and Justice. Learn more.

January 21, Merchantville, NJ: The TriCounty New Jersey American Promise Association will hold a Democracy is Brewing event on the 10th anniversary of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision. Come raise a glass and talk about the solution to big money in politics that 80% of Americans support. 6:30-8:30 at Eclipse Brewing. Learn more.

January 22, Brewer, ME: Join the fastest-growing reform movement in American and be a part of launching Stand With Maine. Maine’s American Promise Association hosts an evening to learn how money is corrupting our political system and what we can do about it. 6-8 p.m. at Kostas Family Restaurant. Learn more.