Bernie: "What we are also talking about is transforming our corrupt campaign finance system"

[madfloridian]

Email from Bernie Sanders today.

Thank you VERY much for your financial support for our campaign.
When we talk about a "political revolution," we are not just talking about tinkering around the edges of American society.

We are talking about transforming our country in many respects -- the economy, health care, education, the environment, criminal justice, immigration and many other areas.

But what we are also talking about is transforming our corrupt campaign finance system -- a system which, as a result of the disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision, now allows millionaires and billionaires to buy elections and undermine the very foundations of American democracy.

What we have done together so far in this campaign is not only extraordinary and unprecedented, it is transforming American politics. What we have shown is that we can raise over $40 million dollars without having a Super PAC. What we have shown is that we can raise an amount of money which makes us financially competitive by securing 1.3 million contributions from, unbelievably, 650,000 Americans. What we have shown is that we can run a successful campaign without having to depend upon donations from the wealthy and the powerful, and that we can do it with an average campaign contribution of only $30.

Our political system is corrupt. Big Money controls much of what happens.

Together, you and I are changing that.

Thank you again for your support.

[NorthCarolina]

1. The man is truly a godsend

if I believed in that kind of thing...

[madfloridian]

2. The great response shows a need for change in our country.

[reformist2]

3. So many politicians these days are such puppets of big business, you can almost see the strings.

[slipslidingaway]

4. knr, join the Sanders Super PACK with a monthly donation. n/t

[Enthusiast]

5. Kicked and recommended! Go, Bernie!

[kfreed]

6. Now explain it to Glenn "Money = Speech" Greenwald

"What the Supreme Court Got Right" [Koch-sponsored Citizens United] by Glenn Greenwald

"Beyond that, I believe that corporate influence over our political process is easily one of the top sicknesses afflicting our political culture. But there are also very real First Amendment interests implicated by laws which bar entities from spending money to express political viewpoints.

I want to begin by examining several of the most common reactions among critics of this decision, none of which seems persuasive to me."

http://www.salon.com/2010/01/22/citizens_united/

So, I'm kind of baffled at the sudden progressive concern about money in politics since progressives have been parroting Libertarian Glenn Greenwald verbatim, without the slightest hint of critical thinking, on every topic under the sun for years.

In other words, the Kochs will spend a cool billion, but Bernie should rely on the pennies from our busted piggy banks and be lucky to get a word in edgewise once the Bernie- Hitler signs start hitting the Tea Party press: they're already at it: http://reverbpress.com/politics/dont-use-bernie-sanders-hitler-sentence-sound-silly/

And while we're at it, you all might ask Greenwald why he's touring college campuses in the company of white supremacists in the employment of Koch-funded organizations: http://www.yaliberty.org/posts/yalcon14-videos-ron-paul-glenn-greenwald-rand-paul

[Fumesucker]

8. Greenwald like most people is right about some things and wrong about others

I used to post to Greenwald's Salon column feedback when he was there, he is one of the very few writers I've seen on that site who will directly interact with readers, I saw him get his ass handed to him several times and participated in the handing too.

[Scuba]

9. K&R and thanks for donating!