Dear Friends and Fellow U.S. Citizens,

• Members of Congress spend too much time fundraising,
  raising money from the lobbyists and industries they’re
  supposed to oversee.
  
• The public suffers from the results of this virtual system of bribery. 
  
• Problems are escalating as shown by Wall St. Bailouts & Health Care Bungling.
  
• The new ruling allows special interests, including domestic branches of foreign corporations to spend without limit on our elections.
  The problem is getting worse.  The 2008 Congressional election was the most lopsided yet: wealthy interests put in $8 for every $1 from small donors.
  
• Recent results of this pay-to-play system.
  Inaction, a lack of progress, and handouts to big industries have become the norm. Wall Street spent over a billion dollars in campaign cash and lobbying in Washington and kept Congress and regulators at bay—until it was too late. When Congress reformed Medicare and Healthcare, the only clear winners were the pharmaceutical and insurance companies. These wealthy industries invest in pay-to-play politics and see a big return on their investment at our expense.

ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE  à  Easy as… 1, 2, 3

1. PROMOTE THE “FAIR ELECTIONS NOW” ACT. 
   à           In the House (H.R. 1826); Senate (S. 752)
   We have significant momentum in the House and are moving steadily toward a floor vote – with more than 115 cosponsors, a bipartisan whip team and leadership support already in place. In addition, a broad coalition of powerful issue and constituency groups is poised to assist us in moving the legislation forward.
   
   This Act would allow candidates to run for office on a blend of small contributions and limited public funds.
   
   Candidates qualify by raising a certain number of small contributions of $100 or less from their home state. They receive a grant of Fair Elections funds for the primary and general election, and can continue raising unlimited small contributions.  This bill would not implement a perfectly “fair election” system, however it’s a MAJOR step in the right directions.  It demonstrates that the American voter/taxpayer and citizen, is sick of politics as usual and is demanding change in campaign financing.
   
   While this year’s presidential campaign has seen a record number of small donors, congressional campaigns don’t generate nearly as much interest from the public, resulting in candidates being pressured to rely on wealthy interests for campaign contributions. Only when the public pays the campaign bills will the politicians be accountable solely to the public.
   
   Will the Fair Elections Now Act take money from other valuable programs?   No. The cost of the Fair Elections Now Act is approximately $4 per voting-age citizen per year. That's a drop in the bucket out of the federal budget -- approximately 1/25th of 1% of the budget. In addition, public financing is likely to save money by reducing giveaways that benefit wealthy campaign contributors and powerful special interests.  Voters generally prefer a candidate whose campaign is funded by the public rather than by private interests. 
   
   Are all candidates required to participate? If not, doesn’t that defeat the whole purpose?  The Supreme Court has ruled that candidates cannot be forced to participate in this type of system, so the system is voluntary. Candidates who don't participate can raise private money as they do now. Nonetheless, this bill still takes a huge step towards leveling the playing field.  Afterward, citizens can push for more legislation that will further reform campaign financing.
   
   More details available at:
             http://fairelectionsnow.org/
   Website for generating a petition to your congressional representative:
             http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4773857
   List of Current Cosponsors of HR1826 available at:
             http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=5193139
   
   
2. SUPPORT NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM MOVEMENTS
   Learn more details and get involved in improving America’s future.
   Check these organizations and consider providing support to them.
   http://PublicCampaign.org  -- Senator Dick Durbin’s HR1826 Bill          http://CommonCause.org  à  Outstanding group promoting fair elections.
   
   
3. SPREAD THE WORD, THAT AMERICAN’S ARE FED UP!
   Help plant seeds and cultivate our movement!

·        Share these concerns with friends.  Show them you are part of the SOLUTION!

·        Contact your elected representative and voice your concerns via
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/members/ or      http://commoncause.org/FindElectedOfficials  

To phone your member of Congress, call Capitol Switchboard at 202.224.3121.

·        Team up with local volunteers!  
 To grow this VITAL MOVEMENT, we plan on:
     à  Posting literature you can print and the latest status updates
     à  Hosting house parties to rally citizens and distribute literature
   

Memphis Citizen Outreach will be coordinated via this web page.

For a copies of our single sheet flyers or group petitions, please send request to:
      Memphis@FoodAwareness.org

Below are Draft Letters you may use to send your elected representaives that either support or do not yet support H.R. 1826


Draft Letter for Non-Supports States:

 I strongly urge you to co-sponsor the Fair Elections Now Act (HR 1826) to create a citizen-funded election system for congressional races.

This critical reform would allow candidates to run for office on a blend of small donations and public funds, modeled off of the successful citizen-funded election systems in states like Arizona, Connecticut, and Maine.

It's time to end the campaign money chase and really change how Washington works.  Please sign on as a co-sponsor of the Fair Elections Now Act.

Draft Letter for Supporters States: 

Thank you for co-sponsoring the Fair Elections Now Act (HR 1826).  It is time to stop the money chase and put the public interest ahead of special interests.  I am glad to know that you support such an important reform.