ALEC doesn't want other people involved in the political process

Inside the 'ALEC Universe' | Eye on ALEC, Q&A, What Matters Today | BillMoyers.com:

• That sentiment was underscored so many times to me, that they don’t want people involved in the political process, or in the policy process. And that seems to be the intent in a lot of ways: You have a think tank in every state and all they do is come up with these very, very regressive policies, you have corporations who are going to benefit so they fund it all, and then you have the legislators as your foot soldiers to carry out the tasks.

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Civil disobedience as law enforcement

Civil disobedience as law enforcement - Waging Nonviolence:

• Based on the Justinian Code’s protection of res communes, governments have long served as trustees for rights held in common.
• Legal rationales have played a critical role in many nonviolent movements. They strengthen participants by lending a sense of clarity that they are not promoting personal opinions by criminal means but rather performing a public duty. And they strengthen a movement’s appeal to the broader society by presenting action not as wanton lawbreaking but as an effort to rectify governments and institutions that are themselves in violation of the law.
• Future climate protesters can proudly proclaim that they are actually climate protectors, upholding the law, not violating it. Nobody should expect American judges to start acquitting protesters on public trust grounds any time soon. But juries that try climate protesters should keep in mind that they have the right and the responsibility to acquit those they believe have violated no just law.

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April 20, 2013 Conference to Restore the Republic reforming government corruption

Details: Conference to Restore the Republic:

• Nearly 90% of Americans agree that we need to take action to stop government corruption. Dear 90% of America: This conference is for you.
• On April 20, 2013 in San Francisco, California, Rootstrikers will convene activists, experts, and citizens of all political stripes to debate some of the most challenging questions about the reform this country needs. Whether you're new to the issue and not sure where to start or still trying to understand the variety of solutions proposed to fight corruption, this event is your opportunity to find clarity and community.
• We welcome all organizations and individuals to join us in this first step towards restoring our republic.
• LOGISTICS
• AGENDA
• PEOPLE
• REGISTER TO ATTEND

RootStrikers

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Donate to help an Avaaz.org operation fight corruption across the world

From Avaaz - The best antidote to corruption:

• Shady business interests, crooked politicians and criminal networks are spreading a massive toxic spill of corruption through our democracies, hijacking key public and private institutions, destroying our environment, and bringing the global economy to its knees. But we can change that if we launch the biggest people-powered clean-up operation ever.
• If just 25,000 of us donate today, we could grow the team and hugely scale up campaigning.

Avaaz.org

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"Leadership," a poem

Leadership
by David Weller


You charge for access,
I believe in free speech

Money is corrosive,
To independent thinkers

Money is not free speech,
Free speech is for people

Represent your constituents,
Not the fundraisers

Leadership can be voted in,
Corruption can be voted out

Leadership is independent,
And so the voter be

Sunday, December 9, 2012 is International Anti-Corruption Day

From: International Anti-Corruption Day - 9 December:

On 31 October 2003, the General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention against Corruption and requested that the Secretary-General designate the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as secretariat for the Convention’s Conference of States Parties (resolution 58/4).  

The Assembly also designated 9 December as International Anti-Corruption Day, to raise awareness of corruption and of the role of the Convention in combating and preventing it.  The Convention entered into force in December 2005.

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Big donors give far and wide, influencing out-of-state races and issues

Big donors give far and wide, influencing out-of-state races and issues - Open Channel:

An analysis by the Investigative News Network of contributions by wealthy individuals in seven states shows that their giving is greater than any one cause or race reveals -- with millions flowing into state, federal and even local campaigns, parties and committees far and wide.

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Court System’s Independence in Crosshairs of Special Interests, Rightwing Lawmakers | ACS

Court System’s Independence in Crosshairs of Special Interests, Rightwing Lawmakers | ACS:

Whatever independence the state courts still have, Cohen writes, is being threatened by “special interest groups, by radical politicians, and even by some of their own – judges who trade both in honor and integrity and by begging for votes (and campaign contributions) from the very litigants before them.”

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