Randall -- We already know that holding the Senate this November matters. But the U.S. Supreme Court decision on Wednesday underscores just how crucial holding our majority in the Senate is -- and how the fate of our democracy could depend on who wins just a handful of seats in November. The extreme right-wing justices on our current Supreme Court have made it clear that they want to eliminate every barrier restricting corporate shills like the Koch Brothers from controlling our political process. First, there was Citizens United. Now, the McCutcheon decision, which eliminated all aggregate caps on campaign donations. And in his opinion this week, Chief Justice Roberts set the stage for successful challenges of every single remaining element of campaign finance reform. Fortunately, we have a stronghold that we can use to turn the Supreme Court around for good: the U.S. Senate, which single-handedly decides the fate of nominees to our nations highest court. Turnover in the Supreme Court can happen without warning. Republicans have used these openings over the past several decades to build a court that tows the line for special interests and makes decisions based on ideology, not legal precedent. Now, we need to take the court back. But we cant do it if we lose our majority in the Senate now. The Supreme Court couldnt have made the stakes more clear: If we are ever going to get our democracy back, we need to hold the Senate NOW. Pitch in $3 now so DFA can double our efforts in tight Senate races. The debate over big business money in politics couldnt be more personal to me. In 2004, my campaign was able to beat the odds and gain national prominence by ditching the special interests and focusing on the grassroots. Small-dollar donations and on-the-ground volunteers -- not piles of corporate cash -- made our organization as formidable as it was. But that was before Citizens United. It was before McCutcheon. This new flood of special interest money makes it harder than ever to run people-powered campaigns that give working Americans a say the way mine did. And with every bad ruling, it will become more and more difficult for progressives to avoid turning to corporate cash to get their point across. We deserve an America where every single persons voice is heard -- not one where the 1% get all the speech their billions can buy them. Together, we can turn these precedents around and give our government back to the people. The fight for our democracy starts now, with DFAs support for progressive champions in the Senate up for reelection like Jeff Merkley and rising stars like Rick Weiland -- who is running an inspiring Senate campaign in South Dakota driven by his opposition to Citizens United. If we can help people like Jeff Merkley and Rick Weiland win in November, they will help us get the Supreme Court -- and our democracy -- back on track. We know the Koch Brothers and Sheldon Adelson wont be sitting on the sidelines this year. We can hold the Senate -- but only if we go all in right now. Donate $3 today to help our endorsed candidates keep the Senate securely in Democratic hands. Thank you for fighting with us when the stakes are highest, - Howard Gov. Howard Dean, Founder Democracy for America Paid for by Democracy for America, democracyforamerica/?t=1&akid=4605.2384884.eSWHXS and not authorized by any candidate. Contributions to Democracy for America are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. This message was sent to redm5954@rocketmail Click here to unsubscribe from further communications.
Posted on: Sat, 05 Apr 2014 21:55:14 +0000