NYT-CBS poll shows near-universal concern over money in politics

As you may have seen in today's New York Times, a NYT-CBS poll finds 84% of adults "think that money has too much influence in American political campaigns" and similar numbers support limiting the size of campaign contributions, curbing outside spending, and strengthening disclosure requirements. Although 58% of respondents express pessimism that the situation can be improved, that is a marked improvement over the 91% expressing cynicism in our 2013 poll. A summary of the poll's major findings is provided below.
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Memorial Day Walk for Democracy

Fifteen years ago, Granny D concluded her walk across America with these haunting words. Addressing the "brave spirits" of Arlington Cemetery, she asked, "Did you give your lives for a government where we might stand together as free and equal citizens, or did you give your lives so that laws might be sold to the highest bidder, turning this temple of our Fair Republic into a bawdy house where anything and everything is done for a price?”
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Walking with Paul Revere on Patriots' Day

 

Our long walk for democracy continued on Saturday, as nearly 100 citizen rebels took to the streets in the footsteps of Paul Revere on the 240th anniversary of his famous ride, garnering state and national media attention.
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Have you Asked?

It may not feel like spring, but that isn't keeping the presidential candidates away. Already, they're out on the stump talking up a storm about taxes and teachers, energy and immigration, deficits and drones… We need to make sure they address the underlying issue: how to end the corrupting influence of money in politics. 

That's where you come in, as walkers and talkers for reform!

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Open Democracy Presents 2015 Walk the Talk Awards

 

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Movements are made up of people. Movements grow when people invest their time, energy, passion, creativity, and resources to further the cause. Countless people have contributed to building the Open Democracy movement in New Hampshire (and beyond!) and this year we are proud to recognize six such individuals with the first-ever 'Walk the Talk' Awards. To learn more about the Awards recipients, check out our press release below.

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12,081 miles later, the walk for reform continues!


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We made it! On January 21st, the fifth anniversary of Citizens United, we stood together hundreds strong in front of the New Hampshire State House as a unified NH Rebellion against big money in politics. Our legs were weary but our spirits were high after walking 300 miles – 12,081 miles collectively – from all four corners of the state for the sake of our republic. The nation took notice

Who could express our motivation better than 15 year-old Ella McGrail, who spoke to the assembled crowd after walking the long road from Portsmouth to Concord with her classmates?

"Our government now favors money over majority, a twisted reality that in no way resembles Democracy.  It is a system that legalizes bribery and gives those with the most money the highest level of power over public policy decisions, a position that by right belongs to the citizens at large… I will not stand by and watch the struggle for my rights be won or lost without me simply because I’m not yet eighteen. This is our future, this is our fight."

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Election Countdown: Time to Birddog the Candidates!

Video.jpgWith less than a month to go until Election Day, we're hearing lots of campaign promises on everything from jobs and the economy to climate change and national security. But how will our leaders be able to solve these problems when they're stuck spending hours a day raising money for reelection, most of it from out-of-state interests intent on maintaining the unjust status quo?

That's why we're calling on New Hampshire candidates in both parties to publicly commit to ending the system of big money corruption in Washington, now and in the upcoming presidential primary. Dozens of supporters have already joined our birddogging team and we're inviting others to sign up to question the candidates as they tour the state.

If you're new to birddogging, check out this short video and let us know if you'd like to attend one of our upcoming trainings.

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Big money is getting bigger and so must we!

DanielWeeks_2009_235.jpgWhen our friend, Lawrence Lessig, and a handful of brave souls kicked off the first NH Rebellion walk this January in the footsteps of Granny D, we couldn't have imagined that hundreds of committed reformers would finish the walk with us two weeks later, or that thousands more would lend support from afar.

Six months later on July 4th and 5th, we were inspired by the more than 500 of you marched in local parades and along the NH seacoast to declare independence from big money in politics. Now, with special interests spending billions of dollars to influence the fall election, our work is more urgent than ever.

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Introducing our new brand and website!

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It isn't everyday that an organization gets to "reinvent" itself, but when the opportunity comes you've got to grab it by the horns! Last month, we invited a community of skilled designers to submit their ideas for a new Open Democracy logo and identity via an online contest. Dozens of talented designers responded and we collected over 100 submissions. 

Then, we put the leading designs out to you, our communityof supporters around New Hampshire and beyond. More than 100 of you responded by voting on the top five submissions, and one of those designs came out on top. As a pro-democracy organization, we naturally had to proceed with the design you chose. And we thank you for choosing well!

We're proud to unveil our new logo above, which we think (and hope) strong expresses three key aspirations of our movement.

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