Dark money isn’t root of problem

Groups that spend money on political attack ads (of member of all political parties) without disclosing the people and corporations behind them (called “dark money” groups) are downright undemocratic. But transparency isn’t the root of the problem. The so-called “constitutional right” to spend (more like invest) in political campaigns is. High time to abolish constitutional doctrines of “money is free speech” and “corporations are people.”

Second Ohio state legislative candidate sues ‘dark money’ PAC over primary ads

https://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2018/07/second_ohio_state_legislative.html

End Citizens United is not what you think

The lowdown on a group that is often confused with Move to Amend, but shouldn’t be. They’re a PAC that collects millions of dollars and often supports candidates who accept corporate PAC money as this article shows. MTA is a low-budget, grassroots group dedicated to enacting a constitutional amendment ending corporate constitutional rights and money is speech. Giving cash to End Citizens United does not help Move to Amend.

Attendees hold signs as they listen to speakers during a rally calling for an end to corporate money in politics and to mark the fifth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, at Lafayette Square near the White House, January 21, 2015 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/05/actions-speak-louder-words-prominent-group-end-citizens-united-called-out-backing

Portman benefits political investors and himself

Ohio’s own Rob Portman is among the bunch of GOP Senators who will personally benefit from the inclusion of this nifty provision that was not in either the original House or Senate version of the tax bill. And who was one of the Senators on the conference committee that reconciled both versions in a single one soon to be voted on by both the House and Senate? Why, Rob Portman!

Rob also received a cool $900,000 from real estate industry Political Action Committees (PACs) in the 2016 election cycle. So Rob both helped his political donors (more like investors) AND helped himself at the same time.

Republican Senators Will Save Millions With Special Real-Estate Tax Break

http://www.ibtimes.com/political-capital/republican-senators-will-save-millions-special-real-estate-tax-break-2630037