I use my radio as an alarm clock and since I don’t exactly bound out of bed in the morning, it often results in a bizarre half-dreams about Apple’s supply chains, the state of the Dow Jones and assorted sounds bites from the circus that is the GOP primary. This morning I awoke to an FM rallying cry to Occupy Congress.
Turns out that’s because we’re just days away from the 2nd anniversary of the disastrous Citizens United v FEC U.S. Supreme Court decision. You know, the one where five of the Court’s nine justices agreed that corporations have the right to spend unlimited dollars from their coffers to sway elections.
If that sounds crazy to you, you’re not alone.
In fact, 85% of Americans think corporations have too much power and people have too little. That’s been the case for some time now, but over the past six months Americans have started to turn that sentiment into action like never before. The Occupiers kick started the action last fall. More recently Los Angeles and New York City joined a growing roster of City Councils that have passed resolutions stating “Corporations aren’t people.” And you may have noticed Stephen Colbert is even on an extended theatrical bit about Super PACs.
This weekend the action comes to a town near you!
Thousands of people all across the country are taking to the streets Friday and Saturday in an impressive set of coast-to-coast actions organized with the newly-formed United for the People coalition. We’ll be working hard to remind those who seem to have forgotten that “Democracy is for People! And Corporations aren’t People!”
Will you join us?
While I admit that I sway towards political nerdiness in general, my delight over the coming January 21st events has less to do with my wonkette tendencies and more to do with a heartfelt belief that a people-powered democracy could do great things for this country. I mean, what’s not to love about a growing chorus of voices demanding that “We the People” put a stop to corporate cash deciding the fate of our political process?!
So if you’re one of those 85% who think its time to put the people back in charge of our democracy, make sure you jump in, join an event or even start one.
See you in the streets!
