Not a traditional ‘group’, Stamp Stampede spreads the word using tiny billboards you carry in your wallet and exchange. Dollar Bills. You stamp, quite legally, your currency at home before spending it. The message on the greenback says, “Not To Be Used To Bribe Politicians.” You pass the message, and where you spend it passes it along in change. And gradually a perception is formed: Things in Washington are not right and we are the ones who must change them.
Represent.us has many successes to their credit. They have an extremely effective social media presence, and they promote state and local anti-corruption legislation. The American Anti-Corruption Act sets a standard for local, state, and federal laws that fix our broken elections, stop political bribery and end secret money.
Wolf-Pac is pursuing a state-based approach to reversing Citizens-United through a constitutional amendment. Understanding that Congress is corrupt, Wolf-Pac sees a seldom-invoked clause of the U.S. Constitution (in Article V) which authorizes the states to pass amendments without Congress! Considering that Congress is the problem, it’s almost like the Framers anticipated the need।
TBOR is a non-partisan group looking at the solution to corruption through electing leaders who respect free, fair, and honest elections. They get it. As long as both parties endorse and protect corrupt incumbents, we won’t have government that addresses out needs. I mentioned John Pudner in the book. This is his group. If you’re conservative, you’ll be comfortable. If you’re liberal, you won’t be uncomfortable with their objectives or means.
MTA seeks an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that you can sum up easily: “Corporations are not people. Money is not speech.” They have an amendment written, the “We The People Amendment.” (catchy, huh?) They are a true grass-roots organization working locally to raise energy and in Washington, D.C. to enroll members of Congress to support the proposal.
This is Lawrence Lessig’s group. (one of several) Equal Citizens took a firm stand against corruption, as Rootstrikers, but the product of corruption is inequality. Limiting money in politics moves us toward “One Person: One Vote” equality. Equal Citizens looks at other issues in addition to corruption that make some more equal than others. Things like gerrymandering and voter suppression under the guise of fighting voter fraud. And voter fraud is as elusive as a unicorn.
Rootstrikers is Lessig’s original group, dedicated to a multi-faceted approach to reform. The day-to-day leaders of this group helped shape my conviction that citizens working together through cooperative groups can overcome the corporate block standing in the way of equal representation.