NYC Public Advocate Bill de Blasio Petitions the SEC to Force Disclosure of Political Contributions by Publicly Traded Corporations

With the "Citizen United" ruling allowing unlimited funds to be secretly funneled to political campaigns, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio is fighting for transparency lost, by petitioning the SEC to force corporate political contributions by publicly traded corporations to be disclosed in SEC filings. It is a travesty that corporations were given "corporate personhood". Please do review the e-mail sent, and the links to both the petition and an article providing additional background. Major Kudos to de Blasio. It is up to us to sign the petition and show that we are aware of this injustice against democracy.

Gregory

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Dear Friends:

Last month, we called on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to require all publicly-traded companies to disclose their election spending. We delivered more than 3,000 signatures to the SEC and marshaled support from pension trustees across the country.

And on Friday, we gained new momentum in this fight as SEC Commissioner Luis Aguilar announced his support for these reforms, urging the SEC to act swiftly to end secret corporate spending in elections. That’s one down, two more Commissioners to go to secure a majority vote for passage.

> Tell the SEC Commissioners to Take Action Today

Commissioner Aguilar’s announcement represents a milestone on the path to protect our democratic process against limitless and undisclosed political donations from corporate treasuries. In his remarks, Commissioner Aguilar cited our letters as proof of the need to shed sunlight on runaway political spending. His speech makes clear that the SEC can heed the voices of shareholders and citizens.

We must not stop now. Join me in calling on the remaining SEC Commissioners to take a stand against secret spending in elections and implement these reforms immediately.

> Click Here to Sign our Letter Demanding Action

Thank you,

Bill de Blasio
NYC Public Advocate

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More on the "Citizens United" ruling and "Corporate Personhood"

http://www.salon.com/2012/01/21/the_hard_truth_of_citizens_united/

NYC Public Advocate Petitions SEC to Reverse Citizen United Ruling

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio has organized a petition to reverse the Supreme Court's "Citizens United" decision which provides corporations a loop hole to pump millions of dollars anonymously into political campaigns. Can anyone tell me how this ability helps "Unite" citizens? Then they wonder why people are frustrated and occupying public spaces.

Gregory

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Dear Friends:

Tomorrow marks the unfortunate two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling that opened the floodgates for secret corporate spending in our elections. I need you to help me close these gates by demanding that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) use its power to mandate full disclosure of corporate political spending.

> Click here to take action

The Supreme Court's ruling, known as Citizens United, has transformed campaigns and elections in this country, threatening the fabric of our democracy. Corporations now have the ability to secretly funnel unlimited amounts of cash to influence elections without disclosing a penny.

We must not sit idly as corporations and shadowy donors attempt to buy the Oval Office right out from under our noses. We must seize this opportunity and let it be known that our democracy is not for sale to the highest bidder!

> Join me in calling on the SEC to end secret corporate spending in elections

The 2010 midterm elections provided the first glimpse of the potential impact of the Citizens United ruling, and this year’s Presidential election could set new records for secret corporate spending. I ask that you join me, members of the City Council Progressive Caucus, Common Cause, Citizen Action, Make the Road, and all our allies in saying enough is enough!

To hold the SEC’s feet to the fire and get results, we need your help. Please tell your friends on Facebook and Twitter to visitwww.SaveOurElections.com and sign on to our letter. Last night at midnight, I launched a 24-hour tweet-a-thon to help raise awareness about this campaign, I invite you to join in the conversation with the hashtag #SaveOurElections or follow me (@BilldeBlasio) on Twitter for updates.

Thank you for joining me in this effort,

Bill de Blasio
NYC Public Advocate