Trump’s Nominee Must be Pressed on Money in Politics
For four decades, the Supreme Court’s flawed approach to money in politics has gutted common-sense protections against the power of special interests and wealthy individuals, and shaped a system that 85% of Americans believe needs fundamental changes.
What do people mean by “money in politics” or “campaign finance reform”? Running for office requires money—for staff, travel, TV ads, etc. In many countries, much of the cost of public elections is paid for by public funds, so the voters control the process and candidates are only accountable to their constituents. But in most places in the U.S., election campaigns are funded only with private money, most of it coming in the form of large checks from wealthy donors.
New York, NY – Today, Heather McGhee, President of Demos, a New York-based public policy organization and think tank, expressed deep concern over President Trump’s nomination for the Supreme Court.
“As a legislative body that represents the American public and not special interests, the U.S. Senate must reject President Trump’s nomination of Judge Gorsuch to a lifetime appointment on the nation’s highest court.
Motor Voter has proven effective in expanding voter registration in this country and bringing millions of eligible Americans into the democratic process. It is only to be feared by politicians who, like Trump and King, see their path to power only through a smaller, whiter electorate.
New York, NY – Heather McGhee, President of Demos, a New York-based public policy organization and think tank, issued the following statement in response to Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant Executive Orders:
En los primeros días de la administración del Presidente Trump, nuestra nación ya ha sufrido un ataque directo en contra de nuestra democracia. Sus peligrosos planes de emitir Órdenes Ejecutivas anti-inmigrantes amenazan destruir nuestra base como una sociedad libre.
An all-star team of ethics experts and constitutional scholars sued Donald Trump today for immediately violating the Constitution’s prohibition on government officials receiving payments from foreign powers.
[...] According to a new report by the progressive think tank Demos, “student debt is particularly damaging for individuals who struggle to repay their loans. Delinquent borrowers are saddled with fees, penalties and rapidly accumulating interest; borrowers who default on their loans face ruined credit and a debt often several times their original loan balance.”
[...] Democratic policymakers should prioritize long-term success by easing voter registration and empowering unions. Democrats need to become more comfortable stretching the limits of their power and less inclined toward unrequited bipartisanship. [...]
In a scary indication of just how far Republicans will go to carry water for Donald Trump, high-level party figures are now trying to bully the head of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics.
New Mexico State Representatives, with the support of many organizations and coalitions and the New Mexico Inclusive Democracy Project, announced a constitutional amendment to increase voter access in New Mexico.
Trump and his Republican allies are supportive of eliminating funds for cities and "sanctuary" counties, but a recent report from the progressive group "Demos" noted that sanctuaries have protections under the Constitution and local laws.
When Garry Civitello phoned into CSPAN during my guest appearance, asking for advice on how to deal with his prejudice—how to “become a better American”—to say I was caught off guard would be an understatement.
We are concerned that given Ms. DeVos’ track record to privatize public education and her lack of a clear position concerning the affordability crisis in higher education, the committee cannot properly assess whether Ms. DeVos is fit to run the U.S. Department of Education.
In the first few days of President Trump’s administration, our nation has already seen a direct assault on our democracy. This week, President Trump issued two anti-immigrant Executive Orders, including one on “Interior Enforcement,” which sets forth provisions punishing sanctuary cities that refuse to use their local police to enforce federal civil immigration laws. Let’s be clear: this week's orders are discrimination policies and some of them are unconstitutional.
A report on the ability of local communities to decide, based on their own form of local government, how they may enact policies to protect immigrant rights.
Debido a las preocupaciones acerca de las crecientes amenazas a las comunidades de inmigrantes respecto a varias posturas políticas migratorias de índole racial promovidas por la administración federal entrante,1 Demos y LatinoJustice PRLDEF presentan este informe preliminar sobre las decisiones que comunidades locales pueden tomar, considerando su forma de gobierno local, para implementar políticas que protegen los derechos de los inmigrantes.
Our research shows that state and local policies shielding immigration status information are generally permitted. Local law enforcement’s refusal to honor federal immigration detainer requests is also permitted and may even be required to avoid liability for constitutional violations.
