Lawrence Lessig Keynote on Citizens United Decision @ For the People Summit

http://www.movementforthepeople.org/

FOR THE PEOPLE Summit Washington D.C. Jan. 20 to 22
"Citizens United" anniversary sparks D.C. summit, rally, national meetings

WASHINGTON D.C. Jan. 14, 2011 — To mark the first anniversary of the controversial "Citizens United" Supreme Court ruling, a coalition of advocacy groups and concerned citizens convened in Washington DC at the For the People Summit, which included a strategic conference at the Washington Plaza Hotel and a "We the Corporations" vs. "We the People"rally at the U.S. Capitol.

In Washington, Summit events included:

Lobby Day on Capitol Hill (Jan. 20) supplemented by Lobby Days around the country

Artist showcase & Party For the People (Jan 20, 6 to 9 PM at K Street Lounge)
"We the Corporations vs. We the People" Rally (Jan. 21 at 11 AM at the U.S. Capitol Area 9)

Two-day Summit (Jan. 21 and 22 at the Washington Plaza Hotel at Thomas Circle)

Bill Moyer of the Backbone Campaign and Annabel Park of the Coffee Party are two of the principal organizers. "It's very hard to make progress on any issue without addressing the problem of money in politics," Park said, "because right now it takes a nearly impossible amount of effort for ordinary people to compete with the daily influence that entrenched lobbyists enjoy. To succeed, we need to step outside the traditional left-right-center framework and find common cause across the political divide."

"The greatest political reform of our time will be to abolish the legal concept of 'corporate personhood' and the inherently anti-democratic equation of money with political speech," Moyer said. "I believe this monumental task will be achieved in the coming years built on a foundation of community-based battles to return power to the People."

Nancy Price, Co-chair of the Alliance for Democracy, said she is impressed with the emerging coalition, for which she has served as an adviser. "The Summit will be an open discussion putting aside political, cultural, and ideological differences because the problem of money in politics is uniting America like few issues can," she said. "80% of us disapprove of the Citizens United decision. 87% disapprove of the job Congress is doing. The American public will not accept a future in which we are no longer a self-determining people."
Lisa Graves, Executive Director of the Center for Media and Democracy, and former Deputy Assistant Attorney General, is also advising and will be speaking at the Summit. "Nearly a million Americans have signed petitions against the Supreme Court's decision to expand corporate rights," she said. "We are coming together on the anniversary of this terrible decision because, regardless of party labels, we are Americans first and foremost and we must reject the Court's efforts to undermine the power of We the People in our democracy."

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[geezerdombroadcast]

Lessig was fabulous. Agree with everything. Caution those who think people on the right would in "any way" cooperate with progressives/liberals on anything; "beware"! The volume of hate filled rehtoric, and propaganda has been so loud,and disgracefully effective that it has poisoned the well. Most conservatives would never help any cause deemed remotely liberal. They are so full of hate and misinformation I think we are on our own. "Don't bring a knife to a gun fight! " "Its very sad".

[geezerdombroadcast]

Heaven forbid we might look sensibly at corporate influence pedling. The majority of the rightwing has a knee jerk reaction to this issue. Their usual immediate reaction is; "MORE GOVERNMENT BAD"!. That's their answer for everything which is rediculous. The unbelievably depraved criminals, corporte lobbyists, and fat cats who take advantage of the rigged system have them brainwashed. These vile thieves, and criminals like Donovan at the US chamber of commerce have "sheeple" thinking crazy

[35171julie]

I love this video. It is heartening to hear someone explain so clearly why our Democracy is failing. Overturn Citizens United, and reform our electoral process. These two things must be done. Whether it's Lessig's idea or someone else's is secondary. 

[kreeves48393]

Lawrence Lessig should run for office . . .



[swingbeatnik7]

We shouldn't TEST on anything.

Otherwise I support Annabel Park

[californiakarma]

The Representatives in Congress who "opt in" would get a share of the 6 billion total pot, but would they be able to collect this from only their constituents, or any citizen? If any citizen could designate his $50 to any candidate, the one with the best ad campaign would still win. If only constituents could fund the candidate, then corporate money would still win. Look at the WI Governor's race.

I am trying to understand how this would work. Something like this needs to be done, I agree!

[rmatonti2]

Please support the bill to take away the personhood of corporations as the original Constitution intended.

[gulsbyjag]

@voyeurdug When 100 million people will spend 4 hours watching commercial breaks and talking heads interrupted by about 70 men fighting over a ball, there must be a format that could hold their attention for a 45 minute lesson on how to "take back our country".

[AmalaVonKlarer]

Camera to the speaker's left is out of focus. Very distracting.