It’s time to free American democracy from the devastating social and economic consequences of the systemic and wholesale bribery of politicians and elected officials.
Thanks to the growing Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement, the consciousness of millions of people across the United States has been irreversible raised about this counterproductive predicament.
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Public politicians ought to be “free” from the monetary bribes of the avarice and psychotic greed of the 1% who, many of whom, do not give a damn about the masses of poor and working class people.
There are some who have shown an arrogant disdain for the democratic principles of fairness, equal justice and opportunity, inclusiveness, and diversity. They openly buy politicians and pimp them to bend over to their insatiable desires for monopoly control.
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As a means of stopping the bribery, there needs to be a Constitutional Amendment to make it illegal to buy, financially contribute to or to use money to influence federal elected officials.
That would mean that the future election campaigns for all members of Congress as well as for the office of President and Vice President will be totally publicly financed.
This will stop the partisan gridlock that has plagued Washington for too long, because the politicians will be working for the people again, not for the corporations who line up outside their office to lobby.
This would definitely not limit or deter freedom of speech, but would rather significantly enhance public political accountability, transparency and the “freedom” of political discourse from the often hidden reactionary hands of a few who would only manipulate the political system for their own narrow exclusive gains.
We welcome the sight of increasing numbers of people in protest actions that have been re-awakened on this issue. In order to effectively challenge income inequality, there needs to be a focus on establishing greater accountability between elected officials and the people who vote for them.
As the nation is about to go into full gear once again with the fast approaching 2012 national elections, there is a sense of urgency about making sure that the elections will be not be brought and controlled by the 1%. “Power to the people” ultimately means the empowerment of the masses through full participatory democracy and sustainable development.
This idea benefits every American, whether you belong to the Tea Party, Democratic Party, Republican Party or no party.
There is a good regulatory resolution pending before the Los Angeles City Council that also calls for a Constitutional Amendment that would ban corporations from using money under the disguise of free speech and to further prohibit money from corporations to use to influence elections and political campaigns.
The resolution was brought before the LA City Council by a national grass roots group know as Move to Amend. Other anti-bribery coalitions are springing up across the nation.
Much respect goes out to the Occupy Wall Street movement as the most visible and diverse movement for economic justice and equality.
We cannot afford to let the current status quo inequities continue without a nationwide show of solidarity and demand for change. It’s time for the 100% to demand a stop to the political bribery system.
-Russell Simmons & Dr. Ben Chavis
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is the Co-Founder, President and CEO of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), the world’s largest coalition of hip-hop artists and continues to help Russell Simmons coordinate his efforts for the Occupy Wall Street movement.
