The following is a message from Larry Lessig:
In the week since I sent the news about our campaign’s end, we have seen an incredible outpouring of frustration and support. I won’t hide my disappointment in not getting the chance to make our case in the debates. But we can’t let that disappointment cloud the facts. Last week saw enormous progress in the fight to restore our democracy:
- Seattle passed a public funding voucher measure.
- Maine passed a referendum to re-enforce its own state public funding system.
- Ohio passed a referendum to support non-partisan redistricting.
This is America demanding real reform. That demand is growing.
By supporting our campaign, you have helped put fixing our democracy at the center of the debate. We didn’t get as far as we needed to. But let’s not forget how far we got.
When we began, I was a little-known law professor with funny glasses and a bow tie. But in less than a month, we rallied almost 10,000 people to a referendum that demanded our democracy back. By the end of the campaign, I was polling higher than Martin O’Malley among voters who knew us both, and in every poll that included my name, I was receiving at least the 1% needed to qualify under the DNC’s original debate rules. In Iowa and North Carolina, those numbers were even higher.
Our plan was a sprint — from fundraising success to hitting the poll numbers to getting into the debates. From there, we would see whatever else the debates made possible. Because of the work that so many did, and because of the incredible support of so many thousands, we hit the first two goals, even if they didn’t count exactly the way we thought they would.
But my focus now is forward, not back. And I am incredibly excited that a core part of our campaign could well live beyond this race.
My friend, Bruce Skarin, an activist and political independent who has taken a scientific approach to fighting for fundamental reform for years, was so inspired by the Citizen Equality Act (CEA) that he has asked me whether he could take the idea and try to build broader support for it. The CEA has the potential to transform our democracy, and urgently needs to become part of the political debate. Corruption is the disease of our representative democracy; the equality of citizens is its cure.
Today I am extraordinarily happy to give him whatever support I can as he works to build a national platform to focus candidates — both presidential and congressional — on the need for this critical reform. Bruce is a inspired strategist. He is laying the foundations for this work carefully. I hope you join me in following and supporting his efforts to make the CEA a reality.
As for me, the future is pretty clear. I can’t, and won’t, give up this fight. The only question now is how best to continue it. There are a lot of people with a lot of ideas. Tess, my 6-year-old daughter, suggested that maybe it would be better if I joined the Red Sox — as a player. She was a bit disappointed when I told her that I love democracy more than baseball.
Regardless of what's next, thank you. I can’t describe adequately how grateful I am for your support of our campaign. I am certain we will win this reform, because I have seen the passion Americans have for this cause. Thank you for what you have done. Your dedication has committed me to this fight — until we win.
With love of this country and endless thanks for your support.
CLICK HERE for more information about the Citizen Equality Act (CEA).
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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