The People's Email Network Last 25 Messages Transmitted Log Go Back Support A Presidential Order To Make Federal Contractors Disclose Political Contributions ********** [155520:111115] A.F., San Diego, CA To the Editor, I am writing you today concerning President Obama's failed legacy of campaign finance reform. Over his past two terms in office, instead of action, the American people were subjected to endless rhetoric from the White House. Despite the fact that his administration has seen the worst election law degradation in decades, the President refuses to act to protect our democracy. Now, the time has come for action. As one of the most corrosive forms of corruption that affects Democracy, the so-called "Pay-to-Play" arrangement involves federal contractors who donate dark money to candidates in exchange for millions worth of contracts. The president has the opportunity to shine a light on this abhorrent practice by signing an Executive Order that would require these contractors to disclose their Political spending. Obama should show Americans that he is ready to take the next step and give the people of this nation transparency in their government by taking this action now. Sincerely, Alvin Jon Fearn ********** [110430:110615] F.M., Wyoming, MI It is not inaccurate to say that the vast majority of Americans do not appreciate dark money wielding powerful influence over the political process. While this has been a pressing issue for decades, the Supreme Court's landmark Citizens United decision in 2010 solidified and legalized a framework which further enabled the dark political art of such transaction-based political representation. Without the ability to transparently study the origins of a given representative's financial support in their pursuit of Office, the general public is helpless in their ability to hold these representatives accountable, and while President Obama has spoken out in favor of "A better politics where we spend less time drowning in dark money for ads that pull us into the gutter", Republicans' unwillingness to move the DISCLOSE Act forward pulls us further down. Still, there is hope for this process. Using his administrative authority to lead by example as he has done in the recent past, this President can require that all federal contractors disclose their political spending in order to qualify for government contracts. Given the sheer size of that portion of government spending (averaging over five-hundred billion dollars per year in the past five years), this is a good place to start. This simple and decisive action will lend urgently needed momentum to an issue that a majority of Americans see as a necessary step to restoring our fundamental right to unhindered representation. More than 600,000 signatures have been gathered in support of an executive order. Obama must act. ********** [123932:110415] R.B., Brooklyn, NY Of the countless problems in American politics today, one is more fundamental than nearly all the rest: this is the matter of money in politics. Like a disease of the central immune system, this is a problem that makes it impossible to solve other problems, since electoral and legislative remedies are no longer available to the people and those who truly represent them. Ever since the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court decision, and the subsequent McCullough ruling, elected leaders are accountable first to donors and only secondly to voters. No one begrudges individuals or corporations the right to make political donations, but unlimited donations are a different, and a frightening, development. Currently, corporate monoliths like Chevron and Lockheed Martin profit from tax-payer subsidized contracts. At the same time, they have the ability to make unlimited and undisclosed campaign donations to ensure that they receive more such lucrative contracts from the government. Lockheed Martin, the largest government contractor, spends about $15 million annually on lobbying. The amount of money the company spends to influence elections and lobby lawmakers is a secret they are not required to disclose. Congress has an opportunity to restore this fundamental power to American voters by way of the DISCLOSE Act, which would simply bring about basic transparency and put an end to the prevailing secrecy around endless campaign spending. However, right-wing factions of Congress have chosen to block this crucial legislation. It is therefore up to President Obama to require the disclosure of federal contractors' political spending. President Obama understands that the American people deserve at least this fundamental protection. He spoke out against the quagmire of Citizens United and dark money in his 2015 State of the Union Address, when he called for "a better politics... where we spend less time drowning in dark money for ads that pull us into the gutter, and spend more time lifting young people up, with a sense of purpose and possibility." Now we are counting on him to deliver this protection, making good on his words. He can do this with a single signature. If Congress will not act in the interests of the country, the president must do it by executive order. To be sure, such an executive order would not cure the disease of dark money in politics, but it would restore a measure of health and sanity to our democracy, shining light on some of the murkiest and most abuse-prone corners of our system. The American people has made its will clear through over 600,000 signatures gathered in support of an executive order, as well as a series of rallies and protests across the country. It is time for politics to catch up with the people. Thank you for your consideration. R. Bergmann ********** [183459:110315] S.G., Aliso Viejo, CA Dear Editor, Both Republicans and Democrats are uniting to get big money out of politics. Citizens United must be rescinded, until then President Obama needs to needs to issue an executive order requiring government contractors to disclose their political spending. The large corporations and the super rich are drowning out the voice of the majority of Americans. We The People need President Obama to issue an executive order to require that government contractors disclose their political spending. Currently, large corporations like GE, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Verizon profit from tax-payer subsidized contracts and in turn, spend unlimited amounts of money to elect (and re-elect) the same politicians responsible for awarding them contracts. Our government needs to shine the light on them by ordering campaign finance disclosure . ********** [140201:102215] C.B., Trenton, NJ Let's talk about Campaign Finance how more effective it is to American Citizens the more the Candidate spend on campaign contribution fund the less Government funding we will have problem with Affordable Housing,Sustainable Business Climate Change to economic inequality, union squashing, to student debt,Living wages and Jobs, school funding to keep the school door open so our kids will have a high school graduation,unlimited money in politics hampers our ability to make progress on the most pressings challenges we're up against.so I'm asking President Obama to sign on Executive Order to require Federal Contractors to Disclose their Political Contributions.American People's need a change for the future. ********** [173934:102115] R.N., Madison, WI President Obama should have a Presidential order to make Federal Contractors disclose Political Contributions, because I like to know where the money is coming from. Russell Novkov Madison ********** [093208:062015] J.M., Rolla, MO These donors should be investigated for bribery. That's all it is...and it,s almost out of control ********** [185656:050915] L.C., Corvallis, OR Our democracy will not survive the control by wealth of our congress. ********** [135249:050515] G.S., Ypsilanti, MI Dear Sir or Madam, In Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) the U. S. Supreme Court overturned over 100 years of campaign finance law. Drowning the voice of the people with corporate money reached its height before 1907, when Congress passed the Tillman Act, which prohibited corporations from making political contributions. The Tillman Act was followed by other laws restricting political contributions. Since Citizens United, we have seen an increased flood of corporate money in elections. In 95% of elections, the candidate who spends the most wins. It is difficult to see how any except the very rich will be taken seriously by our leaders. Pres. Obama is considering an executive order to require federal contractors to disclose their political donations. This would be a good first step in leveling the electoral playing field. Even better would be a constitutional amendment establishing that corporations are not protected by the Bill of Rights, and money is not speech. ********** [093703:050115] T.E., Brush Prairie, WA The citizens united decision is a disgrace. The justices responsible should be held accountable and impeached. Until congress does their job and holds these traitors responsible for their actions, they will continue to thumb their nose at the electorate. When laws fail to protect the people as they are intended, and instead legalize the systematic theft of personal property and rights, revolution may be the only option. May those responsible be the first to meet their just ends, if justice is not returned before the people rise up. ********** [081903:042515] K.W., Ogden, UT We must end Citizens United now and we should have mandatory voting for all. ********** [091226:042415] s.s., Waynesville, NC It is time to save this democracy and disclosing contributions of corporate donors is a first step. ********** [154643:042315] P.P., Interlachen, FL Opening the floodgates to unlimited political contributions has done nothing but ensure that the corporations and most affluent citizens of this country can buy their government. We need new elections laws starting with gerrymandering and campaign finance reform and must include strong enforcement mechanisms. ********** [145527:042315] T.B., Homestead, IA It seems to me to be only fair and logical that those businesses that have federal contracts would be willing to report their political contributions. Be forthcoming! ********** [113250:042315] J.S., Colorado Springs, CO We need to know who/what corporations are contributing money to politicians, we need to know how they will profit. President Obama could sign an executive order to require contractors who do business with the government to disclose their political contributions. We urge him to do so! ********** [082027:041915] G.R., Mount Wolf, PA We pay taxes. It's not out of line to think that we should at least know which companies are contacted by the government to work for us. ********** [105614:041715] T.R., Palmdale, CA Therese Ryan ********** [073823:041715] N.H., Lansing, MI Help stop the wealthy, big corporations, and Wall Street from buying elections, politicians, and political parties. ********** [054214:041715] A.H., Lansing, MI Help stop the wealthy, big corporations, and Wall Street from buying elections, politicians, and political parties. ********** [133440:041615] D.P., Madison, TN No question about it, we can, and should, require full disclosure from those businesses which we patronize. Furthermore, if you wish to run government as a business, then acct like a business. Negotiate contracts and enforce them, no cost over-runs, no shoddy goods and/or services, especially not in support of our troops. ********** [145442:041515] P.R., Woodbridge, VA It's time for transparency. Be honest upfront rather than wait to be found out and disgraced and maligned. ********** [062006:041415] J.E., Memphis, TN We struggling citizens have HAD it with big-money donors buying legislation that favors themselves and their businesses. ********** [051102:041415] N.H., Lansing, MI Help stop the wealthy, big corporations, and Wall Street from buying elections, politicians, and political parties. ********** [041847:041415] A.H., Lansing, MI Help stop the wealthy, big corporations, and Wall Street from buying elections, politicians, and political parties. ********** [193226:041315] F.D., Terrebonne, OR Wouldn't it be nice if all the money that goes for political contributions would go for affordable housing, sustainable food farms and living wage jobs? ********** Go Back