Friend,

In this uncharted time for people around the world, businesses are facing new challenges to their resiliency and questioning how best to prepare for the future. The current crisis shows all too clearly the interdependence of the health of our communities, our economy and our country. That is why, amid these troubling times, exceptional business leaders also recognize the need to address the systemic challenges facing our democracy: More than 100 business leaders nationwide are stepping up and adding their voices to the citizen-led call for a constitutional amendment to authorize limits on political spending. 

By signing and supporting the American Promise Statement of Principle for Business Professionals, these business professionals—who represent a range of political interests and organizations of every size and scope—have come together to innovate for a stronger economy and say unequivocally that the pay-to-play political system does not benefit business. 

We know business leaders face many serious challenges right now, but we also know business leaders are among our nation’s most future-thinking, innovative citizens who know what it means to exercise real leadership. Today it is all too clear that we need a well-functioning government that is responsible to the people it serves. With the announcement of our initial list of signers, we hope that businesspeople concerned about the long-term direction of our country and our economy will learn more and support this amendment as a constructive, truly American solution.

Join us as we the people work for an amendment that gets to the root of a dysfunctional system and creates an opportunity for a stronger economic future for everyone. 

From the (Doylestown, PA) Intelligencer: In this opinion article, recent Dickinson College graduate Patrick Baber calls for elected officials to shift from donor-driven motivations and instead act on their constituents’ calls for stricter regulations to combat the nation’s opioid crisis. “The pharmaceutical industry has one of the largest lobbying organizations in the United States and has donated to the campaigns of 369 out of 435 members of Congress securing widespread influence when it comes to legislation regarding opioid restrictions,” he says. Read more. 

From the American Sustainable Business Council: In this opinion piece, business leader and Business for American Promise Statement of Principle signer MaryAnne Howland encourages companies to join the call for fair elections so politicians will again represent the wishes of most citizens. She writes: “Why aren’t politicians doing the people’s will? Because they don’t have to. Instead, they have to obey a very small number of very big donors.” Read more.

From Forbes: In an opinion article, Adam Millsap of the Charles Koch Institute outlines why cronyism is harming the U.S. economy. By giving preferential treatment to specific businesses or industries, he says, politicians act for special interests rather than citizens. “Businesses want government favors that give them an advantage, and the incentives are such that public officials are all too willing to deliver.” Read more.
 

From the Harvard Business Review: "The Business Case for Saving Democracy"—the first article in the five-part series “Democracy Under Attack”—examines why business leaders must advocate for democracy reforms to ensure a strong and free marketplace and planet. “We’ve been left with a system that favors the rich and the well-connected at the expense of the general population,” says Rebecca Henderson, the John and Natty McArthur University Professor at Harvard University. Read more.

From the Center for Responsive Politics: Grassroots political groups say PAC regulations provide an advantage to business-affiliated PACs because corporations can cover their expenses—although they cannot contribute directly to traditional PACs, candidates, or parties. These business-affiliated PACs have already contributed $179 million to federal candidates and party committees this election cycle—nearly 75% of total PAC giving. Read more.

From AZ Central: A state ballot initiative to get dark money out of politics may be stalled as the COVID-19 pandemic grows. Outlaw Dirty Money, the group behind the effort, has until July 2 to collect 356,467 signatures of registered Arizona voters to make the November ballot. But that appears unlikely as people have been asked to stay home and away from large crowds. Read more.

Given current recommendations for avoiding large gatherings, most upcoming American Promise events are being rescheduled or reimagined as digital/online events. Watch the American Promise calendar for updated information.