The midterm elections saw massive turnout,
but also massive failures of our democracy.
As Big Money floods our political system and
some in power are intent on making it harder
for certain people to vote, we need a movement
to save our democracy.
Here are 10 steps.
Number 1: Make voter registration automatic
for all eligible voters, using information
they've already provided the Department of
Motor Vehicles or another government agency.
This has already been implemented in several
states, including Oregon, and it works.
In 2014, just over one in five Americans were
eligible to vote but did not register.
Automatic registration would automatically
change that.
Number 2: Pass a new Voting Rights Act, setting
uniform national voting standards and preventing
states from engaging in any form of voter
suppression, such as voter ID laws, the purging
of voter rolls, and inaccessible and inadequate
polling places.
Number 3: Implement public financing of elections, in
which public funds match small donations–thereby
eliminating the advantage of big money.
Number 4: Require public disclosure of the
sources of all political donations.
Much of that is now secret, so no one is held
accountable.
Number 5: End the revolving door between serving
in government and lobbying.
Members of Congress, members of their staffs,
federal employees–
they too often take lucrative lobbying jobs
after leaving government.
In turn, lobbyists take important positions
in government.
This revolving door creates conflicts between
the public interest and private greed.
Number 6: Ban members of Congress from owning
specific shares of stock while they’re in
office.
Require that they hold their investments in
index funds, so they won’t favor particular
companies while carrying out their public
duties.
Number 7: Require that all candidates running
for Congress and the presidency release their
tax returns so the American people know of
any potential financial conflicts of interests
before they’re elected.
Number 8: Eliminate gerrymandered districts
by creating independent redistricting commissions.
Some states – Arizona, California, Michigan,
and Colorado, for example – have already established
non-partisan commissions to ensure that congressional
maps are drawn fairly, without racial or partisan
bias.
All other states should follow their lead.
Number 9: Make the Electoral College irrelevant.
The presidency should be awarded to the candidate
who receives the most votes.
Period.
States should agree to award all their Electoral
College votes to the winner of the popular
vote by joining the National Popular Vote
Interstate Compact.
10, and finally: Fight for a Supreme Court
that will reverse its Citizens United decision,
which interpreted the First Amendment to prevent
Congress or state governments from limiting
political spending.
Follow these 10 steps and begin to make our
democracy work again.
What do you think?
In your opinion, how can we restore a government of the people, by the people, and for the people?
If you found this video helpful, be sure to also watch our video: 3 Things You Didn't Know About Money in Politics
with Heather McGhee.
And as always, be sure to subscribe to this channel for more videos like this one.
