Some of the organizations

Organizations focused on money and politics

There are several organizations that are focused on campaign finance as the biggest problem that the country needs to do something about.  Let me try to list these, with links to their websites and also a statement of their basic stance taken from their home pages.

Move To Amend    "We, the People of the United States of America, reject the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling and other related cases, and move to amend our Constitution to firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights."

Rootstrikers  "End the system of corruption in Washington"  "Only the people can force lasting change on this broken system."

Demand Progress grassroots democracy intiative  "The Grassroots Democracy Act would make politicians reliant on ordinary voters -- not the super wealthy who fund campaigns today. Ask your lawmakers to sign on as supporters."

Free Speech For People "Reclaim democracy for the people."

OpenSecrets.org   "An independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, the Center for Responsive Politics does not advocate for specific legislation or regulations in any area - with one important exception: Transparency."  "Since real accountability requires access to information, we strongly support and will urge passage of legislation and rules that will make it easier for Americans to stay informed about the electoral process, what our elected officials are doing, and why."

Organizations not focused on money and politics

No Labels  "No Labels is a growing citizens’ movement of Democrats, Republicans and independents dedicated to promoting a new politics of problem solving."  "We are unlike any organization in America. The most powerful interest groups in our nation’s capital work to push our leaders and our political parties apart. No Labels is working to bring them together to forge solutions to our nation’s problems".

No Labels has over thirty specific proposals for improving the government, which No Labels puts in three categories of make government work, make Congress work, and make the Presidency work.  These proposals are listed below.

Make Government Work
NO BUDGET, NO PAY
If Congress cannot pass a budget and all annual spending bills on time, members should not get paid.
TAKE THE TIME, SAVE THE DIME
Move to a two-year budgeting process.
DON'T DUPLICATE, CONSOLIDATE
Get rid of duplicate agencies and programs identified in 2013 by the Government Accountability Office.
BUY SMARTER AND SAVE
Enforce strategic sourcing so that separate divisions within a single federal agency do not make independent contracts for common items.
NO ADDING, NO PADDING
Stop assuming automatic year-to-year spending increases in agency budgets.
21ST CENTURY HEALTHCARE FOR HEROES
Merge the electronic health records of the Department of Defense with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
STAY IN PLACE, CUT THE WASTE
Cut 50 percent of agency travel and replace it with video conferencing.
WASTED ENERGY, WASTED DOLLARS
Reduce energy waste in federal buildings by incentivizing private companies to identify energy savings. The contractors would be paid with the dollars saved instead of with taxpayer dollars.
PLAN FOR EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT
Create a new Commission for Government Transformation to oversee and effect the transformation of various federal government programs so they will be more economical, efficient and effective.

Make Congress work
No Budget, No Pay
If Congress can't pass a budget and all annual spending bills on time, members of Congress should not get paid.
Up or Down Vote on Presidential Appointments
All presidential nominations should be confirmed or rejected within 90 days of the nomination.
Fix the Filibuster
Require real (not virtual) filibusters and end filibusters on motions to proceed.
Empower the Sensible Majority
Allow a bipartisan majority of members to override a leader or committee chair’s refusal to bring a bill to the floor.
Make Members Come to Work
Make Congress work on coordinated schedules with three five-day work weeks a month in DC and one week in their home district.
Question Time for the President
Provide a monthly forum for members of Congress to ask the president questions to force leaders to debate one another and defend their ideas.
Fiscal Report to Congress: Hear it. Read it. Sign it.
A nonpartisan leader should deliver an annual, televised fiscal update in-person to a joint session of Congress to ensure everyone is working off the same facts.
No Pledge but the Oath of Office
Members should make no pledge but the pledge of allegiance and their formal oath of office.
Monthly Bipartisan Gatherings
The House and Senate should institute monthly, off-the-record and bipartisan gatherings to get members talking across party lines.
Bipartisan Seating
At all joint meetings or sessions of Congress, each member should be seated next to at least one member of the other party.
Bipartisan Leadership Committee
Congressional party leaders should form a bipartisan congressional leadership committee to discuss legislative agendas and substantive solutions.
No Negative Campaigns Against Incumbents
Incumbents from one party should not conduct negative campaigns against sitting members of the opposing party.

Make Presidency work
Regular News Conferences for the President2
Fast-Track Legislative Authority for The President
Make The Parties Pay for Presidential Fundraising
A Line Item Veto With A Twist
Reduce the Number of Appointees Subject to Senate Confirmation6
Identify a "Slate That Can't Wait" of Critical Nominees For Expedited Confirmation
Up or Down Vote on Presidential Appointment8
Question Time for The President9
Expanded Presidential Power to Reorganize
Different Opinions, But the Same Facts
Regular Meetings Between The President And Congressional Leadership

UnPAC and Rootstrikers

Email from Rick Staggenborg

Re: Rootstriker​s and Demand Progress announce their Pledge to Amend campaign
  Time is running out for those of us who want a strong amendment to be passed.

As you can see below, building on a small-scale project in 2012 UnPAC has joined with Rootstrikers in launching a campaign to call on Presidential candidates to advocate for an amendment to "overturn Citizens United." Obviously, that is not enough. They are also not targeting the right people, since Presidents have nothing to do with passing amendments. Targeting candidates for Congress would make more sense. We can start to do that now if we choose.

No other organizations working for a constitutional amendment have done anything to make it a campaign issue since Public Citizen called for pledges in 2010. If we continue to ignore this strategy, we risk having a weak amendment passed. If that happens, the Obamacare phenomenon will happen: A lot of people will assume that we won the fight and lose interest in the issue.

Some organizations are banking on a long-term strategy of educating the public about the need for an amendment that will both institute effective campaign finance reform and abolish corporate personhood before trying to force Congress to take a stand. They are risking the loss of the public's attention by waiting to make this a campaign issue.

I hope that local amendment advocacy groups will try to get whatever national organizations they are working with to discuss working with other groups on a pledge strategy that will bring out the issues that are not going to be discussed in a campaign to merely "overturn Citizens United."

Whatever local groups or national organizations decide, each of us can individually ask all the candidates running for Congress this year whether they will support a strong amendment and encourage others to do the same.

Rick

In solidarity for peace and justice,

Rick Staggenborg, MD
Board President, Take Back America for the PeopleFounder, Soldiers For Peace International
http://www.soldiersforpeaceinternational.org/2011/01/asymmetrical-warfare.html

Coos Bay, OR
541-217-8044

---

Subject: The anti-corruption movement just got a whole lot bigger!
From: unPAC@demandprogress.org
To: staggenborg4senate@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2014 22:00:40 +0000

Rick, During the 2012 election, you joined with thousands of others to confront the corrosive influence of Big Money in our political system. Together, we crowd-funded ads in four states, inspired a nation-wide, corruption-focused art exhibition led by Shepard Fairey and pressured the president to publicly support an amendment to overturn Citizens United. I am thrilled to announce that with the next election approaching, unPAC is joining forces with Rootstrikers and Demand Progress. To successfully take on the system of corruption in Washington, we all need to work side by side. Our first campaign together will force presidential candidates during the 2016 election to answer one critical question: How will you, as president, end the system of corruption in Washington? Will you add your name to encourage the people of New Hampshire to force every presidential candidate to answer this one question? Candidates flock to New Hampshire early, before anyone knows (or cares) who they represent. By holding the first presidential primary, New Hampshire sets the tone for the national election. Our hope is that the New Hampshire Rebellion will make this issue central to the rest of the country throughout the 2016 election. Rootstrikers and Demand Progress have been allies since unPAC launched. In case you haven't heard of them yet, I want to tell you just a bit about our new partners. Rootstrikers is organizing people across the nation to fix our democracy, led by Lawrence Lessig, Harvard Law Professor and author of Republic, Lost. Demand Progress, co-founded by the late activist and technologist Aaron Swartz, is renowned for winning fights to prevent Internet censorship and is now turning its focus to the fundamental issue of systemic corruption in Washington, D.C. Together, we will grow the movement across the country, deepen our roots at home and weed out the systems of corruption and injustice that afflict our democracy. Onward, Matt and the unPAC Team PS: If you're in New England, find a NHRebellion event near you here. Money plays a corrupting role in our political system, and unPAC, Rootstrikers, and Demand Progress have joined forces to build a mass-movement to fight it -- and to return control over our government to the people. Find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Move To Amend meeting in Tuscaloosa on Thursday

The National Campaign to End Corporate Personhood and Demand Real Democracy! About | Donate | Take Action

Hi Rob -- The Move to Amend Coalition is a national multiracial, cross-classed, trans-partisan movement of over 320,000 people and organizations whose goal is amending the U.S. Constitution to fight corporate rule. Come get acquainted with some of those 320,000 folks in Tuscaloosa to meet, mingle, and mobilize to end corporate personhood. The agenda includes a viewing of the "Legalize Democracy" mini-doc, which provides a wonderful intro to Move to Amend, and a discussion of the potential formation of a Tuscaloosa Move to Amend "affiliate." This organizational meeting in Tuscaloosa is happening next Thursday, January 16th, at 7:00pm at the:           Unitarian Universalist Church of Tuscaloosa                     6400 New Watermelon Road           35406 Tuscaloosa, AL           Driving Directions Bring your ideas, your passion and your commitment to work with others for a nation ruled by the people, not corporations. Please RSVP with Jim at twoprice@bellsouth.net or at 205-821-4892 I hope to see you there! Jim Price

Represent.Us (anti-corruption) Project 435

[From Project.Us]

Welcome to Project 435

HOW DOES CORRUPTION AFFECT YOU?

46 million Americans live in poverty. National debt is the highest it’s ever been. Our jobs are gone. Our country is stuck in perpetual crisis. And what is Congress doing about it? Nothing. Because they can’t. They’ve pledged allegiance to the people who fund their campaigns. But they’re supposed to work for us. It’s time to force our representatives to once again represent us, the people.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

The problem is big, but we have a plan, and that plan depends on you. In the end, We The People still hold the ultimate power over our government, but most Americans have forgotten that. Never forget: We elected them to represent us. It’s time to hold them to it. We’re going to get clear about this once and for all: If Congress won’t represent us, Congress is corrupt. This is not about Democrats and Republicans, it’s not about right vs left. It’s about right vs wrong. And we’re here to make things right by ending corruption. Every American deserves to know if their US House Representative is “Corrupt” or “Anti-Corrupt.” Do they represent us or corrupt special interests?
ENTER: PROJECT 435
Project 435 will get every member of the US House on the record for or against the American Anti-Corruption Act — Corrupt or Anti-corrupt…and if you’re Corrupt, you’re out! Let’s take our country back! We’ve created the tools and a plan. There are 5 steps: Lead, Recruit, Organize, Pressure, Win.  You can use this timeline as a rough guide — but be sure to work at a comfortable pace. Here’s how you do it:

LEAD

• Build a team of 3-5 leaders in your Congressional District. Together, you will drive your District Committee’s recruitment and actions up to the day you meet with your Representative and beyond. Here’s the catch: You’ve got to get at least one liberal and one conservative in on your team — it’ll increase your credibility and give you a real shot at winning.

Get started right now: Fill out this online form to register as a District Leader.
RECRUIT

• Your mission (should you choose to accept it) is to get at least 1,000 people from your congressional district to add their name in support of the American Anti-Corruption Act. Start small. Hand out a basic flyer to coworkers, family, and friends, and ask them to join you in ending corruption. Hold meetings and invite the public. Then ramp it up: Flyer your neighborhood with your core team. Write letters to the editor. Table at local events. Create a Facebook page for your district. Get creative and get noticed.

Use the Citizen Co-Sponsor Sign-Up Sheet to collect signatures. And of course, use Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and every other social tool you can get your anti-corrupt hands on.
ORGANIZE

• You’re building a District Committee that will have the power to get your Representative on the record in support of the American Anti-Corruption Act. So reach out to groups who have already established their presence and remember to keep your focus cross-partisan. Neither side can win this alone. Go to local Tea Party meetings, occupy assemblies, and activist groups. Present and recruit at colleges & universities, senior communities, veterans associations and faith groups. Reach out to neighborhood groups, local political parties, and organized public interest groups. Show them how corruption affects their group. Ask them to join your coalition.

You can find all sorts of recruitment and organizing tools here.

PRESSURE

• If your Representative is already supportive of the fight against Corruption, jump right to the next step and get them on the record. If you’re not sure where they stand, research and educate your team. If they’re going to be a tough sell, start with your city council, county commission, governor, selectmen, State Representatives — anyone in a position of power — to officially endorse the American Anti-Corruption Act. Partner with PTAs, church groups, local committees. Get them on board and get them on the record. Build momentum. Make your win inevitable. Anyone who holds public office in your district should be your target. Get them on the record. Document it and share it.

Anti-Corruption Agreement for other elected officials available here.
Presentations and issue-briefs are available here.
WIN

• You’ve gotten thousands of everyday Americans in your district to support the Act and join the movement. You’ve organized a truly cross-partisan District Committee. You’ve got support from every public official and issue group you can think of. It’s time to go to your Representative with your diverse tapestry of support and show them they must support this law or we will not support them. Get them to sign the Anti-Corruption Agreement. If they’re Corrupt, they’re out. If they’re Anti-Corrupt, you’ve won, but the fight’s not over! Move on to other elected officials (see “pressure”) and keep growing the movement.  Together, we can do this.

Download the Anti-Corruption Agreement then follow this plan of action when you’re ready to meet with your Rep.
Browse all of the Project 435 resources here

NH Rebellion- Prof. Lessig's appeal

From: Lawrence Lessig <lessig@rootstrikers.org>
Date: Wed, Dec 18, 2013 at 3:17 PM
Subject: a request for help
To: Robert Shattuck rdshattuck@gmail.com

I'm writing to ask for some help with a project related to my work on corruption. You're getting this because at multiple times, your email address passed the transom of my inbox. If you might be willing to help, please read on. If not, read no more, and I apologize for the intrusion. ------------- In January, I will join others in a march across New Hampshire (the long way). The march will last two weeks. We will cover 185 miles. And along the way, we will be recruiting citizens from New Hampshire to join the #NHRebellion. The #NHRebellion was inspired by the late Doris Haddock, aka, Granny D, a citizen of New Hampshire, and who, at the age of 88, walked across the country with a simple sign on her chest: "campaign finance reform." Long before I came to the issue, Granny D was recruiting anyone she could to the critically important cause of changing the way campaigns are financed. She believed, as I do, that the current system is a kind of "corruption." And she believed, as I have come to believe, that unless we find a way to change it, our government will be incapable of addressing sensibly any of the critical issues that it must resolve. Granny D devoted the last part of her life to this fight. The #NHRebellion will continue her work. The point of the January march is to focus the citizens of New Hampshire on this critical issue of corruption, so that they in turn will focus the candidates in 2016 on corruption too. We will be asking people from across the state to ask the candidates they will inevitably meet over the next two years: "How will you end this corruption?" And the hope is that if New Hampshire makes this an issue, it might well become an issue for the nation as well. The #NHRebellion plans to walk the state three times between now and the primary in 2016. I've agreed to participate in at least the first. So on January 11 -- the day my friend Aaron Swartz died -- we will begin at the place the first ballots of the 2016 election will be cast. And on January 24 -- the day Granny D was born -- we will end with a party in Nashua. In between, we will have as many conversations with as many people as we can about the work Granny D started, and how we can now complete it. I'm writing to ask for your help with this project. Anything from simply sharing this email with people who you think might be interested, to helping to sponsor the walk, to actually walking with us, for part or the whole way — I'd be grateful for everything, as this will be a very difficult slog (not the walk, but to win this issue). But why? Why would I walk for 2 weeks in the freezing winter of New Hampshire? I've spent the last 6 years working on this question of corruption. Aaron Swartz convinced me to take it up. Since I did, I've spoken about it more than 250 speeches to thousands of people across the world. (Here's a mercifully short example: TED talk). But as I've done this, I've been struck by the claim of almost every "expert" that "ordinary Americans don't care about this issue." Not the sort of people who turn up to a lecture by a law professor. But the rest of America, with a million other concerns, working hard to ignore all things political. I want to understand how to make this issue compelling to these people too, and face to face. I want to learn how to talk about it so that it connects and is meaningful. Because I am absolutely convinced that we must find a way to rally America to this cause. And I am reluctantly convinced that more of us need to learn how better to talk to America about this cause. So that's what I will be doing. We will have a number of events across the state. But the most important part for me will be the informal conversations and what it will teach me. I want to learn something from this about how to make this issue important. And I'd be grateful to you for your help in making it possible. You can sponsor me on this walk by clicking here. And you can learn more about the march — including how to join, even for just part of the walk — at #NHRebellion. Thanks for reading this far, and for any help that you can provide. Happy holidays. Lawrence Lessig Rootstrikers