Common Cause Delaware, the League of Women Voters, the Delaware Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Progressive Democrats for Delaware, the Delaware Coalition for Open Government and other like minded citizens tomorrow in Dover will mark an unhappy anniversary for the prospects of free and open democracy in the United States. Three years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court released its decision in the Citizens United case, and in so doing, gave the monied special interests and their lobbyists even more power in Washington and in influencing elections across the nation and here in Delaware. After the Court’s decision, corporations and special interest groups can now raise and spend unlimited amounts of money in elections up and down the ballot.
We all saw with our own eyes the affect of the ruling on our television screens and in our mailboxes in 2012. It was the most expensive election ever, as will every election for now on be. The ruling cannot be allowed to stand, and our leaders in Dover and in Washington must take action to reverse the decision through legislation or an Amendment to the Constitution. Luckily, we have Progressive legislators in Delaware like Senator Karen Peterson and Representative Paul Baumbach, and they both are calling on their colleagues in the General Assembly to sign a joint letter to Congress asking for passage of an amendment to the United States Constitution to clarify that, with regard to corporate campaign spending, a person means only a natural person for First Amendment protection of free speech. If you agree, please let them know and call your state Senator and Representative. And if you agree, and have some free time, join with your fellow citizens tomorrow at a rally on the steps of Legislative Hall, 411 Legislative Avenue in Dover, DE at 12:30 p.m. to bring attention to the anniversary of Citizens United. If there is inclement weather, the gathering will move inside to the House Majority Caucus Room, on the ground floor. Refreshments will be served.