Since 2010's Citizens United decision, outside groups that conceal all of their funding sources from the public have spent more than $600 million to influence elections. We don't know where the money comes from. And we don't know what the donors hope to get in return.
With a stroke of his pen, President Obama can help address one particularly troubling area of dark money spending. He can issue an Executive Order requiring major companies that are awarded federal contracts to disclose all of their political donations.
Each year the federal government awards hundreds of billions of dollars in private sector contracts, much of it to just a handful of companies. And those companies in turn donate tens of millions in disclosed contributions, along with an untold amount of dark money.
President Obama has spoken out against the toxic influence of dark money. In his most recent State of the Union address, he said, "A better politics is one where we spend less time drowning in dark money for ads that pull us into the gutter." Now is the time for him to move beyond words, and take this critical step.
While disclosure of federal contractors' political spending wouldn't fix all money in politics problems, it would ensure that hundreds of billions in taxpayer dollars go to companies best equipped to do the job, not those that make the biggest political donations.
Americans deserve to know if a donation has influenced who receives a government contract. And they deserve to have the information needed to hold elected officials accountable.
This may be the president's last opportunity before the 2016 election to combat the increasing, and overwhelming influence of big donations over our elections and our political system.
It is vital that he act.
Letter to President Barack Obama:
Like many Americans, I see the growing power of special interest money in our elections as one of the biggest threats to our country today. In particular, “dark money” groups have spent more than $600 million to secretly influence elections since 2010.
We don’t know where that money is coming from, or what the donors hope to get in return — but we do know that average Americans who can’t afford jumbo contributions have a hard time competing with these interests for the ears of their elected representatives.
You’ve spoken out about this problem before. But you could act, tomorrow, to strike a blow against secret special interests and for average voters. To protect my voice and reduce the risk of corruption, I urge you to issue an Executive Order requiring major companies that are awarded federal contracts disclose all of their political spending.
Every year, the federal government awards hundreds of billions in taxpayer dollars through private sector contracts to a handful of companies. Those companies donate tens of millions in disclosed contributions to politicians — along with an unknown amount of dark money.
This Executive Order wouldn’t solve the dark money problem. But with it, you would ensure that hundreds of billions in taxpayer dollars go to companies best equipped to do the job, not those that make the biggest political donations.
As president, this may be your best remaining chance to reduce the power of secret special interests over our political process. The 2016 election is already under way. Please act now to bring this dark money to light.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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