pulled from here: Mailing-List: list democratsunited@yahoogroups.com
12.17.04: 1:30 p.m. ESDT:
If you do not know your representative or her/his
phone number or e-mail, visit
http://www.house.state.oh.us/. Click on ?Your
Representatives? and search by zip code or district
number.
WEALTHY INTERESTS TRY TO HIJACK DEMOCRATIC PROCESS IN
OHIO
by Gary Houser
In an unbelievably blatant move to serve the interests
of wealthy individuals and corporations in Ohio, Gov.
Taft has called for a special session of the state
legislature. In a classic example of "doublespeak",
Taft and the Republican leadership are using the false
pretense of "campaign finance reform" to mask one of
the biggest giveaways of political power in Ohio
history. If rammed through, their bill would
completely undermine the democratic ideals of this
state and hand essential control over the political
system to these wealthy interests.
A special session has not been called since 1976. The
purpose of such sessions is to address an emergency
situation. Instead of addressing an emergency, Gov.
Taft is creating one.
Apparently, the notion of campaign finance reform held
by Taft and Republican leaders is to do away with it.
Rather than reduce the influence of money over
elections, this proposed bill (HB/SB 1) drastically
increases it by quadrupling the amount of money that
can be given to candidates from $2500 to $10,000. Even
more outrageously, another section would effectively
dismantle a nearly 100 year-old law aimed at
preventing corporations from using their vast
commercial treasuries to overwhelm the electoral
process.
While some Ohio Democrats are rightly opposing the
quadrupling of spending limits, they appear to be
missing the most insidious and dangerous aspect of
this mockery of reform. Because of a loophole large
enough to drive a Mack truck through, there would be
NO LIMIT WHATSOEVER on the amount of money
corporations could spend on what are called
"electioneering" ads.
Corporations could advocate for or against candidates
and ballot measures to the tune of MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
if they so choose. The $10,000 figure pales next to
the amounts that could be spent on these ads. In order
to not be counted as a direct contribution, these ads
would focus on the issues related to a candidate or
ballot measure and simply avoid explicit use of the
words "vote for" or "vote against." By pursuing this
end run, they could batter or praise as much as they
wish.
For two reasons, it would appear that the timing of
this move is no accident. Ohio's perenially key role
in presidential elections was highlighted even further
this year. In the wake of four more years of a
president closely aligned with corporate interests,
this is a stunningly transparent move to consolidate
corporate control over this key swing state. Secondly,
this attempt at a power grab has been planned to occur
at precisely the time when the resources of many
Democratic Party and progressive groups are tied up
with the re-count issue.
The 'commercial treasuries of corporations' refers to
the proceeds from the sale of corporate products. When
a customer buys a product, he or she is not giving
that corporation permission to influence the outcome
of an election with that money. It would be unethical
for a corporation to use this money in such a way. Yet
this is precisely what would be allowed by HB 1/SB 1.
Some perspective is needed regarding the magnitude of
the changes being promoted. A hundred years ago, our
ancestors in Ohio had compelling reasons to fight hard
to achieve citizen controls over corporations. For
decades, legislation favoring commercial interests was
being routinely passed as a "payback" for campaign
contributions. The preamble of the 1908 law stated
that its purpose was "to prevent the corruption of
elections and political parties by corporations." This
law to safeguard democracy is a great legacy that
these citizens left for us. The fate of that legacy is
now in our hands.
At a time when polls consistently reveal a serious
concern about big money and politics, non-profit
public interest groups and the small donation levels
of working class people would not be able to compete
with the flood of wealthy money that would be
released. The strategy of proponents is to rush this
bill through a special session before the public even
has a chance to recognize the enormity of what is
happening.
The importance of stopping this "blitzkrieg" disguised
as campaign finance reform cannot be overstated. All
who support a democratic process are strongly urged to
immediately contact their representatives and senators
and speak out against this bald-faced power grab by
corporate interests in our state. We must not allow
the brave efforts and protective legacy of those Ohio
citizens who stood up to corporate power 100 years ago
to be squandered.
-Gary Houser has been involved in efforts to use
campaign finance reform to prevent corporate money
from dominating the political process, and co-authored
the first ballot initiative in the country (Arcata,
Calif.) to assert local democratic control over
corporate activities that impact the community. He
now lives in SE Ohio.
**
For updates on the recount- www.votecobb.org (Frnaklin
County recount began and finished on Tues 12/14. It
continues throughout the state this week)
For updates on the hearings with the US House
Judiciary Committee-
http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/index.html
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