Risking Everything

Yesterday, on #TaxDay, an unlikely "Hero" risked everything to call attention to the horrible effects to our political system from the Citizens United vs. FEC decision which ruled that corporate donations to political campaigns and Super PACs qualifies as free speech.

Sadly, his attempt at civil disobedience backfired. Yes, he successfully landed his gyrocopter on the lawn of the US Capitol, carrying stamped letters to every member of congress detailing his protest of the Supreme Court decision and asking for them to choose one of three options: "1. You may pretend corruption does not exist. 2. You may pretend to oppose corruption while you sabotage reform. 3. You may actively participate in real reform. "  http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/elections/ruskin-mailman-tries-flying-to-capitol-in-gyrocopter-to-deliver-campaign/2225584 

But it backfired because the narrative is not his stated objective. Is Congress looking at ways to fix the mess created by Citizens United vs. FEC decision?  Is that what folks are talking about today?

No, everyone is freaking out over how he was able to pull it off. Homeland security is trying to figure out exactly what is a gyrocopter. Media pundits are wondering why the Secret Service didn't know since many claim to have told them about Hughes' plans over a year ago. That is why his mission was a failure.

So, I'm wondering if we will ever talk about or do anything about fixing the mess created by our Supreme Court. I think the 2016 campaign should focus on what the candidates think about the decision and what they plan to do about it.

In case you missed it, back on September 11, 2014, DEMOCRATS in the Senate proposed a bill that tried to overturn Citizens United decision. Guess what happened? "But forty-two senators, all Republicans, voted no. As a result, Udall noted, the Republican minority was able to “filibuster this measure and instead choose to support a broken system that prioritizes corporations and billionaires over regular voters.” http://www.thenation.com/blog/181590/senate-tried-overturn-citizens-united-today-guess-what-stopped-them# For more information on the decision and its effects to our political system, please see this website:  http://www.opensecrets.org/news/reports/citizens_united.php

The reality is this:  We must elect a DEMOCRATIC president and majority in both houses of congress if we are ever going to overturn the Citizens United decision.

Now, get out there and start working to elect Democrats or Independents who will support their efforts.