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Dear Editor
A key factor in Tuesday’s elections was the amount of money spent by special interest groups, most of them funded by secretive, corporate and wealthy individuals, due to the Supreme Court ruling “Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission”. According to Public Citizen’s Congress Watch’s initial analysis report, this money funded 58 of the winning contests. The races included 68 House contests and six in the Senate. In our local area alone, Chris Gibson received $950,877 vs. Scott Murphy’s $178,886 (NY-20), and Nan Hayworth received $528,808 v. John Hall’s $319,365 (NY-19).
What does this mean?
This money from unnamed sources changed the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. People with an agenda unknown to voters are deciding our elections. They are the people paying for all the negative campaign ads meant to sway voters with fear, distortion and lies. It also means that we are very unlikely to get solid, qualified citizens to run for office when you look at the amount of money it takes to get elected.
John Boehner can talk about voters voicing a need for change in Tuesday’s election. The voter’s voice hasn’t
really been heard yet. What we’ve heard is the voice of unnamed special interest groups. And I’m sure the lobbyists are already at work in Washington, D.C. making their bosses interests become a reality. If you think this is negative or cynical, track the amount of money the healthcare insurance companies and pharmaceutical industry give to our Senators and Congressman.
What can we do?
Get involved in local political activity to fight at a grassroots level.
Turn off 24 hour cable news, which seeks to make news/drama out of the differences in the American public when we have much in common.
Write to your Senators and Congressman demanding a different way to fund elections.
Pray that someone brings a different case before the Supreme Court to overrule “Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission” and pray that the Supreme Court has the wisdom to make the right decision.
Sincerely,
Beth Murphy
Dear Editor
A key factor in Tuesday’s elections was the amount of money spent by special interest groups, most of them funded by secretive, corporate and wealthy individuals, due to the Supreme Court ruling “Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission”. According to Public Citizen’s Congress Watch’s initial analysis report, this money funded 58 of the winning contests. The races included 68 House contests and six in the Senate. In our local area alone, Chris Gibson received $950,877 vs. Scott Murphy’s $178,886 (NY-20), and Nan Hayworth received $528,808 v. John Hall’s $319,365 (NY-19).
What does this mean?
This money from unnamed sources changed the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. People with an agenda unknown to voters are deciding our elections. They are the people paying for all the negative campaign ads meant to sway voters with fear, distortion and lies. It also means that we are very unlikely to get solid, qualified citizens to run for office when you look at the amount of money it takes to get elected.
John Boehner can talk about voters voicing a need for change in Tuesday’s election. The voter’s voice hasn’t
really been heard yet. What we’ve heard is the voice of unnamed special interest groups. And I’m sure the lobbyists are already at work in Washington, D.C. making their bosses interests become a reality. If you think this is negative or cynical, track the amount of money the healthcare insurance companies and pharmaceutical industry give to our Senators and Congressman.
What can we do?
Get involved in local political activity to fight at a grassroots level.
Turn off 24 hour cable news, which seeks to make news/drama out of the differences in the American public when we have much in common.
Write to your Senators and Congressman demanding a different way to fund elections.
Pray that someone brings a different case before the Supreme Court to overrule “Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission” and pray that the Supreme Court has the wisdom to make the right decision.
Sincerely,
Beth Murphy
