Seventeen Communities to Vote to Reclaim Democracy from Moneyed Interests

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: George Penn, 608-244-6436, georgepenn51@gmail.com

Seventeen Communities to Vote to Reclaim Democracy from Moneyed Interests

Madison, WI (March 24, 2020) – On Tuesday, April 7th, Wisconsin residents in Seventeen communities will vote on whether to amend the U.S. Constitution to clarify that only humans should have constitutional rights and that money is not the same as speech and political spending can be limited to allow all Americans to participate in the democratic process.

Voters will cast ballots in the following cities and towns:

Cities: Rhinelander, Eagle River

Towns: Wescott (Shawano); Newbold, Crescent, Pelican, Woodruff, Pine Lake, Hazelhurst (Onieda); Arbor Vitae, Presque Isle, Winchester, Boulder Junction, Phelps, Lac du Flambeau, Plum Lake, Manitowish Waters (Vilas)

If all vote in favor, 163 Wisconsin communities will have called for the We The People amendment. Nationwide, 20 state legislatures have done likewise, as have more than 820 towns, villages, cities, and counties.

“We cannot solve any of the pressing issues in front of our country as long as our politicians do not represent us, and they won’t until we get the big money out of politics,” said Hazelhurst resident David Barnhill.

Multiple polls show over 90% of Americans, regardless of party, think special interest money has too much influence in American political campaigns.[1]  Numerous polls show that Money in Politics is a top issue for voters. [2]

Rhinelander resident, Jackie Cody said, “The people’s voices and desires are strangled by the glut and acceptance of campaign cash by elected officials.”

Former State Senator Dale Schultz summed it up well. “We’re talking about billionaires turning this country into a Russian-style oligarchy, where there are two dozen billionaires who buy the whole political process… we are awash in money because of Citizens United, and it puts good people in both parties in a difficult situation.” [3]

One volunteer, Jan Koch of Shawano, expressed frustration: “Citizens in 146 Wisconsin communities have passed resolutions calling for an amendment. We need state legislators to put it on a statewide ballot, but they won’t even let the bills have a public hearing!”

The roots of the problem run deeper than Citizens United. Over a century ago Robert M. La Follette spoke out against corruption wrought by the “concessions and privileges” given to corporations by legislators. “Why,” he asked, “in a government where the people are sovereign, why are these things tolerated?”

United To Amend is a non-partisan, grassroots movement. For more information: wiuta.org

Background material can be obtained here: pdf1, pdf2 and pdf3.

Link to this press release.

Photos: photo1, photo2 and photo3.

Contact George Penn, 608-244-6436, georgepenn51@gmail.com

[1] https://mayday.us/data/20150925_gop_polling_results.pdf

https://mayday.us/data/20150925_dem_polling_results.pdf

http://www.texansunitedtoamend.org/uploads/5/0/8/1/5081028/representus_analysis.pdf

[2]https://wiuta.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Money-In-Politics-Polls.pdf

[3] Senator Dale Schultz presentation, March 7, 2014 at the L.D. Fargo Public Library, Lake Mills, WI.