We, the people, can do campaign finance reform – right now!

[dfgrbac]

Throughout history massive changes in government (short of invading armies) have always been by the hands of the people. Hence the argument could be made that a nations people can determine the format of their own government at will if they act in unison. A nation's people are its most powerful political group.

Here in the USA this is even codified into our Constitution by the Bill of Rights. The Ninth and Tenth Amendments specifically reserve all powers not detailed directly to the people. So, are we outraged enough by the recent Supreme Court decision giving corporations unlimited ability to influence elections to really do something about it?

After more than a decade of work, an excellent piece of legislation is available for us to vote on immediately. And this legislation directly addresses campaign finance and creates a law excluding all but “natural persons” from funding campaigns. This legislation to be enacted by the people is the National Initiative for Democracy (NI4D) and consists of two parts – an Act and a Constitutional Amendment. The Amendment states:

SECTION 6.
Only natural persons who are citizens of the United States may contribute funds, services or property in support of or in opposition to a legislative initiative created under the authority of this Article. Contributions from corporations including, but not limited to, such incorporated entities as industry groups, labor unions, political parties, political action committees, organized religions and associations, are specifically prohibited. Such entities are also prohibited from coercing or inducing employees, clients, customers, members, or any other associated persons to support or oppose an initiative created under the authority of this Article.

The Act ratifies the Amendment. And once enacted and set up, we can address other important issues on national, state, and local ballots.

I strongly recommend that all citizens look into NI4D as soon as possible. Examine it, understand it, and understand your rights as a registered voter. Corporations have been writing our laws for years now and just handing them to our so-called representatives (usually in such large bundles that are too big to read). It's time we, the people, got into law making to protect ourselves from tyranny. Vote for the National Initiative, support it, and spread the word. We don't have much time. This can be done quickly by convincing one person at a time to continue the process. And it requires no marching, no protests, and no violence to reach critical mass. Let's do it!

[Vincardog]

1. How do we pass a constitutional amendment one person at a time? I want to tell me how

[Goldstein1984]

3. By forcing the issue

Each one of us, individually but in concert stop all discretionary spending--no iPods; no designer coffee; no purchases of anything not essential to survival.

The impact on an economy based 70% on consumer spending would be immediate and decisive. The ransom we demand be paid? Return of the government to the people; denial of personhood to corporations; a return to a government of, by and for the people.

This government was established to promote the general welfare. Only a fool would believe it is doing that.

Time for change, and the change begins with us. Are we citizens or serfs?

And yes, what I'm talking about will be ugly. It's a class war. War is always ugly, especially for the underdog, which is The People in this case.

[dfgrbac]

6. No force is needed.

All we need to do is vote. But to succeed we also need to support the NI4D process and spread the word to everyone we know.

We don't need to demonstrate, protest, march, or do violent acts. Just vote.

65 million votes will be overwhelming to the corrupt establishment. They would not dare interfere. Remember 65 million votes would include a lot (really a lot) of military families. It would be overwhelming!

[dfgrbac]

5. This is a special one-time case.

The election to enact the National Initiative demonstrates the peoples demand for ballot initiatives at the national level (as well as state and local). The Democracy Act is enacted and the Democracy Amendment is ratified by the people if they receive yes votes amounting to more than half of the number of votes in the preceding presidential election. Today that number is approximately equal to 65 million yes votes.

The National Initiative for Democracy has more stringent requirements for Constitutional Amendments after its passage. You can read up on it at the site.

Sorry for the delay in responding.

[truedelphi]

9. Sixty five million yes votes?

Really? I mean, I am more informed than most, but I hadn't known this.

Any links...

[dfgrbac]

11. Sure!

This is the page that has the most basic information. Click the additional links for more.

[truedelphi]

13. Thanks and of course I am on board about signing off on this. n/t

[_Demosthenes_]

15. A major question must be addressed.

What of those who possess an opposing or alternate view of the matter?

They will likely be not easily persuaded due to extensive political upbringing and convictions to opinions they hold. Else a sole political party would likely exist. The difference of opinion has represented the diversity of humankind and these differences need be given direction and support to achieve a common goal.

Force is unlikely to be successful as is commonly suggested by both parties on a matter. The presented ideology of such a thing often fuels those negating a proposition. The threat therefore, fuels it that much further.

What must take place before action potential is reached is a consensus by both parties of an argument. Without this an effective change cannot be made. 65 million persons may be a significant number, but will be equally insubstantial if an opposing 65 million negate and protest the proposition presented.

How will this consensus be achieved? For without it the threat of the opposition (i.e. the Republican Party) may present itself strongly enough for the motion to fail.

[truedelphi]

2. So who starts the ball rolling on this.

And don't forget -t he banks have all the money. the American people are sleeping in their cars or on a "borrowed" couch.

While enduring the first recorded "financial recovery" in which there are no jobs and foreclosure is just an every day event.

[dfgrbac]

7. The ball is rolling - it just needs momentum!

To get votes, American citizens need to be educated about the Initiative. But this takes money.

You make a good point about the banks having stolen all our money. Thom Hartmann calls them "banksters".

But we all can spare a dollar, can't we? If a thousand people vote and donate a dollar, that's $1,000. If a hundred thousand people vote and donate a dollar, that's $100,000! Get the point? Anything more speeds the process.

[Sarah88]

4. Article V to Establish New Amendments

This article lays out a pretty good rationale for calling for a Constitutional Convention under Article V to establish our full rights, and it also updates and expands the Declaration of Independence.
A New Declaration of Independence: How America Can Become a Truly Good Example to the World.

[dfgrbac]

8. I would love to see a Constitutional Convention happen!

A real one would explode the debates about how to solve our problems across the nation - especially the one about political corruption by corporations.

Thomas Jefferson wanted us to have regularly scheduled Constitutional Conventions, knowing that the future is unpredictable and adjustments would need to be made.

[Sarah88]

10. Yes, Jefferson wanted it, and so did Lincoln and Eisenhower too!

That's mentioned in the article, http://reformationcomingsoon.bravehost.com/NewDeclaration.html">A New Declaration of Independence: How America Can Become A Truly Good Example to the World

[dfgrbac]

12. We can get a Convention with NI4D.

If we enact NI4D, we can submit an initiative for one.

Or we can do it the old fashioned way, as you have suggested.

[truedelphi]

14. Thank you for posting that about an Article Five. And

Welsome to DU.