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Amend 2012 is a campaign created for people—real people, not incorporated or limited liability people—who care about our democracy and want to be part of a solution.
The problem? Since January 2010, corporations have been legally allowed to spend unlimited amounts of money in our elections on behalf of candidates who, when elected, owe the corporations favors. So even though "we the people" go to the polls and vote for candidates, once they're in office they must work on behalf of the corporate interests, not what's good for American families.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a case called Citizens United vs. FEC that corporations have the same rights as people, and that their unlimited corporate spending is the same as our free speech. We disagree—because only people are people.
What's the Big Deal?
Corporations already use their money to make many decisions that affect us every day, so why do we care if they use their money in political campaigns? Because there's no place for purchasing in democracy. Elected officials get their jobs from the people who elect them, and should ultimately answer to those people, too.
There's a big difference between buying land to build a new warehouse and buying favors from the people who are supposed to represent us, the people.
What's the Big Idea?
Corporations don't own our democracy yet, so we're taking this movement to the people, going person-by-person and state-by-state, to build support for a constitutional amendment that will specify who are people (people) and who are not people (corporations).
Amending the Constitution is a big deal. It'll require support of 2/3 of both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and then must be ratified by 3/4 of the states. So while it's possible and, we think, the best ultimate solution, it isn't likely to happen right away.
Well What Then?
In the great tradition of American rabble rousing, we're starting with the people, building grassroots support right where you live. Using a little-known but very powerful process called voter instructions, our goal is to have as many states as possible pass ballot resolutions calling on Congress to pass a constitutional amendment. Then people can vote to pass those resolutions.
Who We Are
Amend2012.org is a project of Common Cause, a nonpartisan nonprofit created in 1970 to be the "citizens' lobby" and to hold power accountable. Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor, is our chairman.
You might know us best for our work on campaign finance reform and government ethics -- or for the big splashes we've made recently by uncloaking the secretive Koch Brothers political network, exposing the American Legislative Exchange Council's legislation-for-hire programs, and uncovering ethical conflicts by Supreme Court justices.
We are powered by you, our members and activists. We also frequently work in coalitions and are proud to be standing with groups like People for the American Way, Move to Amend, Public Citizen, Free Speech for People and many others to advance a constitutional amendment. We are grateful to The Media Firm for their work on the video that launched this campaign.
Got a question or want to get involved? Email us at amend2012@commoncause.org or call us at (202) 833-1200.
