Category Archives: Money in Politics

Lawrence Lessig on our pre-election elections

In Lawrence Lessig’s latest TED talk, he frames the problem of big money’s corrupting influence in American politics in terms of two elections. The general election, in which we all get to vote, is preceded by the big-money election, in which the wealthy few … Continue reading

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Lobbying to make a difference

Over 40 people from around the state [Austin, Corpus Christi, Houston, Irving, Garland, Caldwell County, and San Antonio] gathered at the Texas Capitol on March 18 for a Texans United to Amend Lobby Day, lobbying in support of three Texas Legislature … Continue reading

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Celebrate our success at Austin City Hall.

On January 17, 2013 the Austin City Council unanimously approved the Central Texans United To Amend (CTUTA) resolution calling for a Constitution Amendment ensuring that money is not speech and that the use of funds by artificial entities to influence … Continue reading

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Big Donors Saw Diminishing Returns in History’s Most Expensive Election

What can we learn from the record-breaking $6 billion spent by candidates, parties and outside groups in the 2012 election?  In this PBS NewsHour segment, Judy Woodruff talks to Eliza Newlin Carney of Roll Call and Matea Gold of the LA … Continue reading

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Moyers & Company web-interview of Tom Engelhardt on November 5th

If we’ve learned anything from the 2012 race, it’s that American politics have gotten way out of our control. Our guest Tom Engelhardt says that, like our sodas and our military, our elections have become “supersized.” In this web-exclusive interview, … Continue reading

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How To Fight Citizens United

Ever since the Citizens United ruling opened the floodgates to unlimited political spending, many organizations, including Coffee Party Austin and its partners in Texans United to Amend, have been working hard to turn back the tide . Bill Moyers suggests seven … Continue reading

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Money in Politics Petition

A number of pro-democracy groups, including Coffee Party Austin, have created a petition that calls for local governments to pass resolutions calling on Congress to pass a constitutional amendment that addresses the rampant amount of money in politics. I urge … Continue reading

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ACTION ALERT: MAKE AUSTIN THE FIRST IN TEXAS TO STAND AGAINST CITIZENS UNITED!

On January 21, 2010 The United States Supreme Court ruled in Citizens United v FEC that corporations have the same rights as people and can spend unlimited money in our elections. The consequences of this decision are already being felt … Continue reading

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Austin City Council Resolution: Money ≠ Speech

A resolution to be presented for adoption by the Austin City Council in June has been drawn up by Coffee Party Austin, Occupy Austin, and Austin Move to Amend. It calls for a Constitutional Amendment and/or other legislative actions to distinguish money from … Continue reading

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Taking Back Our Republic

TAKING BACK OUR REPUBLIC Pizza and PRICELE$$ View PRICELE$$, a new 25-minute documentary on the effect of money in politics. For a 4-minute trailer of the film, click here. Local activists to give more information on the subject, and Discussion … Continue reading

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