When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that corporations could spend unlimited corporate funds as "political speech" - to influence election outcomes - the stage was set for a summer barrage of self-serving propaganda.
The political fight is out in the open: Who funds campaigns? What (quid pro quo) do they want? And who (or what special interests) really determines the outcome of elections?And when the Louisiana Supreme Court - influenced by campaign cash from the Chamber of Commerce - ruled to limit environmental lawsuits in "Cancer Alley" (Convent, LA.) and statewide - we saw justice for sale.
This was NOT fiction, not a John Grisham novel. It's a wakeup call. Is it the face of the future? - perhaps OUR future: court seats and rulings influenced by special-interest campaign cash?This is why our state Senate and House MUST approve E2SSB 5912 - the Supreme Court Fair Elections Act. This year. This week!
They have time - and we want action before the March 11th adjournment.
We want the state Senate to approve E2SSB 5912 - and the House to follow suit.
Everyone: Call on Senate and House leaders to act. Ask them to schedule a vote!
Call Senate and House leaders directly (listed below). Do it now!
The corporate funding machine is already ramping up. This summer, our airwaves and mailboxes will be stuffed with campaign ads, mostly from special-interests. The propaganda will be deafening - unleashed by the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling (in Citizens United v. FEC), that corporations can spend freely to influence public opinion and election outcomes. This will be an issue all summer.
And the public will ask (as they should):
- Where is the public interest?
- Why are campaigns for the state supreme court treated like an auction?
- Why didn't our lawmakers take action to protect the integrity of our top court?
It's NOT too late. The legislature still has time to approve SB 5912.
They can send a signal: In Washington state, elections are NOT auctions. Voters can rely on impartiality of the top court. Judicial candidates can be judges, not fund raisers. Election outcomes in Washington state will NOT be influenced by mountains of special-interest cash.
Do the courts matter? Watch Bill Moyers' Journal, February 19th broadcast entitled "Justice For Sale?" - archived here: www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/02192010/profile2.htmlPlease contact your lawmakers - and legislative leaders - TODAY. Contact info below.
In Louisiana, the state Chamber of Commerce used campaign cash to convince the Louisiana Supreme Court to permanently restrict environmental lawsuits - siding with industry instead of protecting residents in "Cancer Alley" in Convent, Louisiana. A clear-cut case of corporate influence - justice for sale!
Are we - in Washington state - immune to such influence? Let's close the barn door BEFORE the horses escape!
Urge them to schedule a vote on SB 5912 - before the legislature adjourns on March 11th.
~ Craig Salins
Washington Public Campaigns
http://www.washclean.org/
wpc@washclean.org
206-784-2522
Get contact info for your legislator, here (it's very quick): http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx
Then, click on your legislator's name, to get their phone and email address.
Type in a message - or call them up.
SENATE Leaders: http://www.sdc.wa.gov/
Senate Majority Leader Sen. Lisa Brown, brown.lisa@leg.wa.gov 360-786-7604
Senate Dems Caucus chair Ed Murray, murray.edward@leg.wa.gov 360-786-7628
Senate Floor Leader Sen. Tracey Eide, eide.tracey@leg.wa.gov 360-786-7658
Senate Dems Whip Chris Marr, marr.chris@leg.wa.gov 360-786-7610
HOUSE Leaders: www.leg.wa.gov/House/Pages/Leadership.aspx
Speaker Frank Chopp chopp.frank@leg.wa.gov 360-786-7920
Majority Leader Lynn Kessler kessler.lynn@leg.wa.gov 360-786-7904
Ways & Means Committee Chair Kelli Linville, linville.kelli@leg.wa.gov 360-786-7854
Ways & Means Committee Vice Chair Mark Ericks, ericks.mark@leg.wa.gov 360-786-7900
Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000
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