Addressing Governmental Corruption

The goal of a strong democracy is that all legislation and judicial action reflects the public interest. There are ways for public officials to be corrupted by money or favors that are technically legal, if unethical. The result is that much legislation is done for personal gain — wealth and power — rather than for the good of the country. 

The affect of strong anti-corruption laws will be a more democratic, less oligarchical society

Mandate complete campaign finance transparency

  • Ban anonymous donations to 501c organizations of any kind, unions, and other political groups, including religions institutions and aggregators. Require that they ALL disclose the ultimate individual sources and sizes of all donations, even if used for “voter education” or other ostensibly beneficial purposes.
  • (Consider seriously): Ban private campaign funding and define a reasonable level of public funding
  • Restrict campaigning to a period of 12 months prior to the election.

Redefine Personhood

  • Define personhood as an individual man, woman, or child. Specifically exclude corporations, governments, organizations, unions, and other groups from being considered as a person.

Redefinej "speech" and "protected speech" in law

  • Define speech as communication using audible (speech, audio), visual (written, video), or tactile (e.g. braille) media. Specifically exclude money, gifts, and possibly others, as forms of speech.  
  • Define and Distinguish protected speech from unprotected speech such as hate speech, incitement to violence or crime, or the spreading of falsehoods intended to incite violent or criminal behavior.

Get the Money Out of Politics

  • Reverse Citizens United. Corporations are not people. Money is not speech.
  • Ban political contributions from corporations or 501c organizations
  • Eliminate the tax-free status of ALL organizations – no more tax exempt status for religious, political, or even environmental organizations.
  • Establish and enforce limits on individual contributions, and apply those limits to all campaign organizations
  • Ban the use of government money, personnel, facilities, equipment, or other resources for the purposes of promoting a political individual or party. This includes advertising, meetings, solicitations, or other campaign purposes. Carefully define banned activities to eliminate loopholes. Create specific and impactful penalties for breaking these laws, and enforce them.
  • Create and fund an independent, apolitical organization specifically dedicated to the monitoring, enforcement and prosecution of campaign law.

Prevent officials from "gaming" for personal gain

  • Require that all government officials (executive, legislative and judicial) and their families place all personal investments into independently managed index funds for the duration of their service. Make sure that these funds reflect the broad (large, medium and small cap stocks, corporate and governmental bonds), overall health of the US economy.
  • Monitor transactions of extended family and business associates that may be the result of inside information regarding legislative activity. Enforcement might be by the same organization that enforces campaign laws.
  • Require full public disclosure of the content of all bills when introduced and again when amended, and require a minimum time period for public comment and reaction prior to final vote
  • Institute strict and harsh penalties for private disclosure of bills and amendments prior to public disclosure

Manage the "revolving door"

  • Prevent elected or appointed officials from participating in enterprises that were directly impacted by decisions made during time in office.
  • Scrutinize appointments of individuals from industries that will be directly impacted by the position for which they are appointed. Define recusal conditions and enforce them.