Means for Democracy (Tools for Better Self-Governance)

MoveToAmend's 28th Amendment applies to all corporations (including unions)
In this 4-minute clip from Thom's June 5, 2014 program
(hour #2 + 17 mins.), Thom explains
why carving an exemption for unions is a bad idea.

On June 25, 2012, five Supreme Court justices told us to stop complaining about money corrupting politics. They decided without looking at any evidence, listening to any arguments, or issuing any legal opinion. (For a 3-minute description of what happened, watch this video from the heads of Montana state government: http://snipurl.com/244f2az or ElectionsAreForUs.org .)
Repealing the Citizens United doctrine of the Supreme Court will require a Constitutional amendment - not an easy task. However, the Milpitas City Council can do their part by passing a resolution in support of the 28th Constitutional amendment that says corporations are not people and money is not speech.
Here are three more background documents:

The Conservative Case for Overturning Citizens United

A Call for a Constitutional Amendment

How does Citizens United affect our city?

On that last subject, outside money has already affected our City by creating a fiefdom for Walmart, repealing the city's latest campaign finance law (Milpitas Post, Feb 10, 2012), and spending over $500,000 to convince us that Measure E ("casino") is good for Milpitas.

The latest example is the $25,000 that developers (Integral Communities, Lyon Management Group, and Bay 101) are pouring into electing their chosen candidates. Click here for the short story.

As a voting citizen, you can support a 28th Amendment this year by voting for candidates who have signed a statement saying:
I support amending the U.S. Constitution to make clear that corporations and other artificial entities do not have Constitutional rights and that money is not speech and campaign spending should be limited through regulation. I will use my office to support the Movement to Amend the Constitution by passing resolutions, proposing legislation, and publicly speaking out about the need for this Amendment.

All 2014 candidates running for office in Milpitas have been asked to sign the statement of support. (Mayor: Daniel Bobay, Jose Esteves, Robert Marini; Council: Garry Barbadillo, Bill Ferguson, Marsha Grilli, Deepka Lalwani, Rajeev Madnawat, Voltaire S. Montemayor, Richard Tran; School Board: Russ Bargstadt, David Freeman, Bill Foulk, Danny Lau, Demetress Morris, Chris Norwood, Vance Vuong) These candidates have signed and, therefore, deserve special consideration for advocating a solution to the many problems caused by big money in politics:

Bill Ferguson - City Council

Rob Means - City Council

Robert Marini - Mayor

Danny Lau - MUSD Board

Bill Foulk - MUSD Board

Marsha Grilli - City Council

Voltaire Montemayor - City Council

Deeka Lalwani - City Council

Demetress Morris - MUSD Board

Dan Bobay - Mayor

Rajeev Madnawat - City Council

Elected representatives are encouraged to sign the Pledge to support a 28th Amendment.

Annan Commission Criticizes US Election Financing
September 14, 2012, Selah Hennessy
A commission headed by former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan charges that the soaring cost of U.S. elections is a major hindrance to democracy.

Contact Webmaster Rob Means at 408-262-8975, Rob@MeansForDemocracy.org
1421 Yellowstone Avenue, Milpitas, CA 95035