The Independent View: Issue One’s ReFormers Caucus

Everything we believe and do at Issue One is rooted in the following core assumptions:

This is a problem we must fix. Money in politics has become a crisis for our democracy. Political spending by well-financed special interests has effectively drowned out the voices of millions and made it impossible for our elected officials to govern. If we do not rein in the excessive influence of money, we won’t be able to solve the complex challenges we face.

This is a problem we can fix. Many cities and states have already implemented solutions that have proved to be both effective at restoring the public’s voice and constitutional. These solutions have broad bipartisan support in states and municipalities across the country, and with sufficient political will could be implemented at the federal level.

Former Congressman and Ambassador Tim Roemer and Issue One Strategic Adviser, writes:

We are in a crisis and at a crossroads in America. Six years ago the Supreme Court issued its now infamous Citizens United ruling.

We’ve seen the damage this has inflicted on our country. Every year since the Court’s decision, elections have become more expensive, political spending has become harder to trace and everyday Americans have watched their voices slowly drown beneath a torrent of campaign cash. Too many people believe we have a “pay to play” political system.

The fact that a mere 158 families have provided nearly half of all the campaign funds raised so far this Presidential cycle makes our money-in-politics crisis self-evident.

The people have spoken clearly on Citizens United. An astounding 78 percent of Americans want to see the decision overturned, according to a recent Bloomberg Politics poll. There is no other issue that has Americans on both sides of the political aisle more in agreement, more riled up and more determined to see victory.

I’m proud to be working toward that victory as a member of Issue One’s first-of-its-kind ReFormers Caucus. Our caucus, made up of 116 former Governors and members of Congress from both parties, has an ambitious plan to bring new ideas, energy and credibility to the money-in-politics cause.

With Issue One’s support, the ReFormers are spreading out across the country, working with State Legislators, talking with current members of Congress and lending our expertise from the front lines to pass game-changing reform legislation in the states, and hopefully in Washington, D.C.

We have hope for the future, there are common-sense solutions we can pass right now, but we need your help.

As a former member of the House of Representatives and U.S. Ambassador to India, I know first-hand how the insidious influence of money in politics stymies our ability to reach our goals both at home and abroad. It’s corroding the people's trust in our democracy and preventing our system of governance from working.

Solving today’s most pressing challenges, both domestic and foreign, will not happen unless we bring the full potential of the American people to bear—and we simply can’t do that if Congress remains captured by special interests.

That’s why I believe fixing our democracy is issue one.

CLICK HERE for more information about the Issue One’s ReFormers Caucus.