Sign the letter to presidential candidate John McCain for public financing of elections

Public Campaign Action Fund has written a letter to US Senator and Republican presidential candidate John McCain, and they'd like us to sign onto it. The letter emphasizes the importance of two bills currently being legislated that would introduce and strengthen public financing of congressional and presidential races, effective in 2009. They are the Fair Elections Now Act (S.1285) and the Presidential Funding Act (S.436).

It is a great opportunity for Sen. McCain to return to his long celebrated reform issues and support these public financing bills. Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton have co-sponsored them already.

Sign onto Public Campaign's online letter now, then spread the word! The more signatures of Americans fed up with special interest big money in federal campaigns, the more influential the letter to McCain will be! Thanks!

Tax Freedom Day is April 23, 2008

Tax Freedom Day® will fall on April 23 in 2008, according to the Tax Foundation's annual calculation using the latest government data on income and taxes. That’s three days earlier than in 2007. Stimulus rebates and a projection of slow growth in 2008 are the principal reasons for the earlier celebration.

In addition to announcing the nation’s Tax Freedom Day®, the new study compares tax payments to other major consumer expenditures, traces the course of America’s tax burden since 1900, examines the composition of today’s tax burden by type of tax, and calculates a Tax Freedom Day® for each state.

"The Buying of the President 2008", a new serial report by The Center for Public Integrity

The Center for Public Integrity has released a report titled "The Buying of the President 2008". They will release a new chapter every month in five parts over the course of a week. The first month's chapter is now coming online.

Every four years, the Center’s The Buying of the President investigates how money shapes presidential campaigns. The 2008 edition explores the roles that money and special interests play in presidential politics — a behind-the-scenes examination of everything from how the major candidates and their parties raise money to the ins and outs of opposition research and the spoils that go with a term in the Oval Office.

The web site, http://buyingofthepresident.org/, is just one of many reports published and online at CPI. Check them out, for in-depth research on critical government reform issues.

Claim Democracy Coalition hosts Democracy Day Thursday Jun 5, 2008 in Minneapolis MN

The Claim Democracy Coalition will be hosting "Democracy Day" on Thursday, June 5, 2008, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It coincides with The National Conference for Media Reform, to be held Jun 6- 8 and hosted by Free Press.

As stated on the Democracy Day conference web site, its mission is:

Scheduled the day before the National Conference on Media Reform, Democracy Day is a major conference designed to build support among voting rights advocates, electoral reformers and movement organizations for a broader vision of democracy – one based on elections with universal and secure access to the polls, expanded ballot choices and public financing, on government with proportional representation and transparency and on local, state, and national institutions that engage and empower Americans between elections. Working closely with Liberty Tree, Public Campaign, Free Press and Common Cause, FairVote is organizing the conference.

Hundreds of pro-democracy activists and experts are anticipating information, action and involvement in this one-day event; you are invited to join! All of the details, including hotel accomodations, can be found via its dedicated web site.

Our nation and states need basic electoral reforms to open up our democracy

Today, I submitted a letter to the editor to my local newspaper here in Abilene, Texas. This is a time-honored method of promoting an issue with the local community. Of course, national newspapers and magazines are also great opportunities to send your letters.

Having 10 years experience in third party politics, I have first-hand knowledge of the difficulties candidates such as Ralph Nader have in getting a foot-hold in our democratic system. I believe that third parties would be a much more serious and effective force in government if various fundamental electoral reforms, such as redistricting, ballot access requirements, public financing of elections and Instant Runoff Voting are instituted in the states and in Washington, DC.

Here is my letter; it may be edited at the newspaper's discretion when and if they publish it.

Dear Editor,

I am appalled that, after Ross Perot's popular run for president in 1992, the Texas legislature still has not eased ballot access requirements for third parties or independents. The ruling Republican and Democratic parties in this state think it is not in their interest to allow more competitors for their offices. But what about the people? Don't they deserve a more open political system that encourages a broad debate on the many issues that we face each election? This year, progressive Ralph Nader is offering solutions to positions not ever considered by today's three major candidates. Let's help Ralph gain ballot access in the coming days by signing his petition and allow him and his running mate advocation of better ballot access laws.

David Weller

Tell your US Representative and two US Senators to stop Pres. Bush's dangerous Mexican trucking campaign

Public Citizen, a Washington-based public safety advocate group, is running a grassroots internet campaign, to hold President Bush to follow the rules on trucking safety. He has time and again flaunted congressional actions and the popular will of the people by prematurely allowing Mexican freight trucks to travel across the US.

Please take a stand with Public Citizen and their supporters right now with Pres. Bush, and stop his relentless breaching of the law with his runaway Mexican trucking campaign. Take action with your US Representative and two US Senators here, or, reach their offices by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Thank you!

New citizen's Political Calendar on All Things Reform

We have a new Political Calendar at the top of this blog in the left column. It is a reminder for the average citizen on what to look forward to in Washington DC over the next year or so. If you click on a link, you will be taken to more information about the particular special day(s).

It will of course be continuously updated and improved with political dates of use to the US citizen.

Find out when you may receive this year's Economic Stimulus Payment from the IRS

The IRS will be mailing approximately 130 million Economic Stimulus rebate checks. Estimate yours at their new online calculator (most will receive $600 for an individual, $1,200 for married, plus $300 per qualifying child).

When your stimulus check arrives depends on whether your 2007 tax return set up a direct deposit payment, and on the last two digits of your Social Security number. The Tax Foundation has a table showing when you can expect a rebate if you file by April 15th this year.

Watch a slideshow video about the new Change Congress grassroots movement

Lawrence Lessig, founder of Change Congress, has uploaded a nice slideshow video of his recent talk concerning his web site's launch. As discussed here three days ago, Change Congress aims to bring reform issues to candidates and congress and lobby them until the issues are enacted in legislation.

There has been a great display of enthusiasm already for this new grassroots campaign; Mr. Lessig is world reknown for his path-breaking work as founder and head of Creative Commons, a new method to keep your copyright while inviting certain uses of your work.

I have added a badge proclaiming my support and aid to Change Congress; you, too, can sign up and, if you have a web site or blog, display one as well! Join us today! Thanks.

Reform your schools' nutrition program; genetically-modified foods (GMO) are largely untested for safety

Genetically-modified foods are digested by us every day... did you know that they are largely untested for safety? We don't know if there are any problems eating GMO (genetically modified organism) farmed foods as we speak. A video approximately 30 minutes long substantiates the lack of science behind human consumption of GM foods; it is on the Disinfo.com web site.

Included in the above video, is a case study of a school in Appleton, Wisconsin, that removed GM foods from their campus and instituted mostly healthy foods. In just three years a dramatic improvement in student behavior occurred. There is a web site supporting the reform of food safety and nutrition for schools across the USA-- it's called GM Free Schools. Please check it out and see if you would like to help institute their solutions in your schools.

Reflections on World Water Day 2008

The theme for World Water Day 2008 is "Sanitation Matters." This year's theme highlights the fact that "adequate sanitation to protect health is considered a fundamental human right." Unfortunately, for roughly half the developing world, safe and reliable water is not accessible. The result is the daily tragedy of waterborne disease, which claims thousands of lives each day.

"Safe water and sanitation are vital to human health and are critical for the stability of nations around the globe," said AWWA Executive Director Gary Zimmerman. "In North America, clean water is often taken for granted, but World Water Day creates an opportunity to think about the extraordinary value of our precious water supplies and advance water treatment and delivery systems.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are around 2.2 million per year worldwide who die from diarrheal diseases caused by poor sanitation and lack of clean drinking water. Now that's a REAL water problem.

According to a British government minister, the world faces a future of "water wars", unless action is taken to prevent international water shortages and sanitation issues escalating into conflicts.

The warning came as a coalition of 27 international charities marked World Water Day by writing to British prime minister Gordon Brown demanding action to give fresh water to 1.1 billion people with poor supplies.

"If we do not act, the reality is that water supplies may become the subject of international conflict in the years ahead," said International Development minister Gareth Thomas. "We need to invest now to prevent us having to pay that price in the future."

A lack of political will remains the greatest obstacle to efforts to drastically reduce the number of people without access to basic sanitation and clean, running water, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, calling on the international community to take firmer and faster steps to tackle the problem.

“If we take up the challenge, the positive impact will reverberate far beyond better access to clean water,” Mr. Ban said in a message to mark World Water Day, which is celebrated today. This year's Day also coincides with the International Year of Sanitation.

“Every dollar invested in water and sanitation yields an estimate seven dollars worth of productive activity. And that comes on top of the immeasurable gains in cutting poverty, improving health and raising living standards.”

And of course, here in America, there are communities that struggle with water infrastructure issues (for instance, the colonias in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas). The issue of water in the western US is growing every year as population grows and the climate warms. Make this day one of reflection on the life-giving gift of water, and how much it is needed by our neighbors in this country and around the world.

National Popular Vote gaining sponsors in states across the country

The National Popular Vote bill would guarantee a majority of the Electoral College to the presidential candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The bill would reform the Electoral College so that the electoral vote in the Electoral College reflects the choice of the nation's voters for President of the United States.

A color-coded map of the United States shows where each state stands on the issue. Originally proposed by National Popular Vote two years ago at a national press conference in Washington DC, NPV has by now garnished bill passage in 15 state legislative houses.

If your state has not passed the NPV bill yet, you can contact your state representative and state senator-- Yahoo! Capwiz has their contact addresses. Thank you.

Almost all Americans believe their government should pay attention to their views between elections

World Public Opinion has released results of a poll, revealing that 94% of Americans believe their leaders should pay attention to the views of the people as they're making their decisions. This overwhelmingly asserts our view that "the will of the people should be the basis of the authority of government," the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

More results of the poll are here. Clearly, twice as many Americans (79.9%) believe that America should be governed by the will of the people than believe it is actually occurring (40%). This is reflected by the fact that 81% say when making "an important decision" government leaders "should pay attention to public opinion polls because this will help them get a sense of the public's views."

All Things Reform supports these assertions, and encourages citizens to stay informed of today's news stories from reputable sources and follow up with own opinions on major bills and other issues currently being debated in the legislatures.

Tell your two US Senators to vote YES on Fair Elections

It's now time again to contact your two US Senators and ask them to vote YES for public financing of congressional campaigns. A bill addresses this, called The Fair Elections Now Act (S.1285). Fair Elections is a major campaign finance reform issue, and passing it would undercut alot of questions relating to legislators' possible favoring of their private campaign contributors.

You can reach your senators through Yahoo! CapWiz, or, you can call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Thank you!

Change Congress aims to bring reform candidates to congressional office

Change Congress is now open for business! Founded by Lawrence Lessig and Joe Trippi, Change Congress aims to find, debate with and win over congressional candidates on several reform issues. Citizens can get involved right away, by pledging their support for this cause, finding candidates in their districts, and asking them to pledge their support for these reforms. Join now!

Pork requests flooding Appropriations Committee right now

It looks like business as usual for Washington, DC, as a flood of earmark requests is deluging upon the Appropriations Committee as we speak. Diligence is the word for fiscal discipline activists from several public interest groups.

From Americans for Prosperity's blog:

" We just received this forwarded e-mail from a source on Capitol Hill - it looks like a "massive influx" of pork requests has essentially crashed the Appropriations Committee's site. As a result, they're extending the deadline for pork requests from today until Monday - good news for the porkers, but bad news for the taxpayers:

----- Original Message -----
From: Nabors, Rob
Sent: Wed Mar 19 15:06:17 2008
Subject: URGENT -- EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE REQUESTS. PLEASE DISTRIBUTE TO APPROPRIATE STAFF.

Dear Member Offices:

As a result of the massive influx of requests being submitted today, the Appropriations Committee website is experiencing unavoidable access and processing delays.

In order to accommodate Member offices attempting to input data, any request submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 24th will be considered as having been submitted “on time” for purposes of consideration by the Committee.

Sincerely,

Rob Nabors

Staff Director and Clerk

House Appropriations Committee "

Follow "local" bloggers up to general election day at Patchwork Nation

The Christian Science Monitor has just unveiled a different kind of "election 2008" web site, called "Patchwork Nation". Instead of the common "red state/ blue state" analysis of the nation's voters, it focuses on 11 different types of communities, based on census data and demographics. You can find out with your zip code where you are and follow local blogs up to general election day this November, 2008; statistics are given on what each community looks like.

Follow Fiscal Year 2009 US budget legislation

washingtonwatch.com has a web page for following the Fiscal Year 2009 United States budget legislative process-- it follows the congressional activities for funding the operations of the federal government. FY 2009 officially begins on October 1, 2008.

Spending allocations have not yet been made; refer back to the page for regular updates, or, receive updates with their email newsletter.

Tell your US Representative and two US Senators to support government openness bills

Happy Sunshine Week!

In recognition of the importance of government openness and transparency, Public Citizen is asking us to contact our congressmembers to support a few related bills. Go to their campaign web page and send your letter, or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.

Tell your US Representative and two US Senators to improve transparency to our government by:

1. Supporting the immediate passage of the Presidential Records Act Amendments (H.R. 1225/S. 886) in the Senate to override a Bush Executive Order that is undermining the original purpose of the post-Watergate law.

2. Fully funding the Office of Government Information Services under the National Archives and Records Administration as the OPEN Government Act requires, instead of under the Department of Justice, which the Bush FY09 budget proposal suggests.

3. Protecting the rights of governmental whistleblowers by ensuring that the final conference bill tracks closely to the stronger House bill, the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (H.R. 985).

4. Limiting presidential signing statements, so that a President can’t alter legislation with a stroke of a pen, as President Bush did when he nullified Congress’s whistleblower protections for government contractors in Iraq.

5. Bring the Senate into the 21st Century and pass S. 223, which provides for electronic disclosure and prompt Internet searchability of Senate campaign contributions. Senator Ensign should stop blocking enactment of the bill with his poison pill amendment!


Thank you for helping to ensure that our government is more transparent and accountable to the public.

National Freedom of Information Coalition conference May 9-10 2008 in Philadelphia

The NFOIC - National Freedom of Information Coalition - will hold its national conference on May 9 - 10, 2008, in Philadelphia, PA. Called the "2008 FOI Summit", it promotes an active and informed citizenry; your participation is vital.

Please visit the conference web page for all of the details.

"At the Polling Place, a Song," by David Weller

I ran across this old poem of several years ago that unfortunately ring true today! It's a tongue-in-cheek experience of a voter's visit to the polling place..


Lasting in Line
is a crazy thing...
There is so much to do
before you can be voting

there is the heartfelt
chatter of hazing,
by those that have voted...

there is the cute
crashing of the computer,
by those that assist voters...

there is the quaint
intimidation,
by those that tell the total vote...

Yes, Lasting in Line
is a crazy thing...
There is so much to do
by those that help voters!

Oh, Lasting in Line
is a crazy thing...
There is so much to do
by those that help voting!

Job opening at E-Democracy.org

E-Democracy.org is a locally based organization with volunteers across the country and around the world setting up vibrant online spaces, where community members, elected officials, and local journalists share ideas and information. They are looking for someone with a combination of community organizing and technology skills to serve as a part-time contractor, providing technical and organizational support to our issues forums participants and network of volunteers. The job description and requirements, etc is at E-Democracy.org.

Tell your Congressmembers to ask EPA head Stephen Johnson to resign

Public Citizen, a respected public safety group in Washington, DC, is asking Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) head Stephen Johnson to resign. We need this federal executive branch agency to actually fight for the environment. Please ask your two US Senators and US Representative to support this cause- send a letter from Public Citizen's web site, or call them directly at 202-224-3121 now. Thank you.

Write a letter to the editor in support of Sunshine Week 2008

I wrote a short letter to the editor for my local newspaper. It is in celebration of Sunshine Week 2008, upcoming around the country next week. I invite you to do the same today, to get the word out on, perhaps, the most important issue of these times...

To: Editor, Abilene Reporter-News

In these times of peril, when our nation is under assault by a closed organization, we come to Sunshine Week 2008 March 16- 22. One of the great strengths of our own society has been openness; a national journalist association has founded this week of celebration. Many activities will take place around the country and in Washington, DC-- check them out at http://www.sunshineweek.org/!

Write articles on Helium in celebration of Sunshine Week March 16 to 22, 2008

Sunshine Week 2008 has partnered with Helium to offer authors opportunities to write about open government and Freedom of Information.

Sunshine Week, which will be celebrated March 16-22, 2008, engages people in conversations about open government and why it must be nurtured and protected. A non-partisan, good-government initiative led by the American Society of Newspaper Editors, it is joined by students, the online community, libraries, civic groups, government officials and agencies of all political stripe, non-profits and others.

Sunshine Week articles posted on Helium leverage the site's fair and trusted peer-review rating. Every article at Helium is sorted for quality in a simple, yet effective A versus B comparison. After many ratings by many people, quality content rises to the top.

Writers also have the opportunity to donate their article earnings to Sunshine Week.

Visit Sunshine week at Helium to write, learn and donate http://www.helium.com/partners/sunshineweek.

Positions on open government and Freedom of Information issues by the three major presidential candidates

In October of 2007, the then 16 presidential candidates were asked their positions on open government and Freedom of Information issues. Only Bill Richardson answered all of the questions; John Edwards answered some. In response, researchers for the Sunshine Campaign for Sunshine Week 2008 compiled a web page of how the remaining three major presidential candidates-- John McCain, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama-- stand on these issues.

Check if your Congressmembers' websites include local appropriations (earmarks) forms

According to a recent Americans for Prosperity blog post, at least three Congressmembers have online earmark request forms! That's right, if you are a constituent of these public servants, you can request federal money for non-legislative, locally-based projects online:

Florida Senator Bill Nelson: http://www.billnelson.senate.gov/contact/appropriationsfy09.cfm

Montana Representative Denny Rehberg: http://www.house.gov/rehberg/approps.form.shtml [Page not found]

Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown: http://brown.senate.gov/ohio/constituent_services/spending_request/

Check your own two US Senators' and US Representative's websites to see if they presently offer this same online constituent appropriations "service".

AFP in its post suggests we taxpayers hijack these online forms "to make a statement about just how big a problem earmarks have become (wink wink, nudge, nudge) and to demand transparency for earmark requests before earmarks make it into appropriations reports." I don't know how this may (legally) be done, but we are the owners of this country, and our representatives work for us... it is up to us, ultimately...

Take this short survey on public financing of elections

Public Campaign Action Fund is running this short survey about public financing of elections and the Presidential race and would appreciate your filling it out. Information about the survey is here.

Don't miss Lawrence Lessig lecture on corruption Thurs. March 20th 1:30pm to 3:00pm ET by web cast

Sunlight Foundation announces on its website a lecture to be held on Thursday, March 20th from 1:30pm to 3:00pm ET by Stanford University professor Lawrence Lessig. He will be unveiling a new website called "Change-Congress.org" and will discuss the state of democracy in the United States and how corruption plays an influence on it.

The event will also be Web cast: http://www.visualwebcaster.com/thepressclub-lessig-032008 for the general public. Full details for the event are here.

Don't miss OpenTheGovernment's Wed. March 19th 1:00pm to 2:30pm ET web cast for Sunshine Week 2008

OpenTheGovernment.org will be actively participating in next week's Sunshine Week 2008, a nation-wide look at government's role in society's needs for openness and transparency. Their newsletter this week gives a concise update on their Wednesday, March 19th 1:00pm to 2:30pm ET activities next week and how all of us can participate from wherever we are-- unfortunately, when I copied and pasted it from email into my blog, the text turned white. Here is information on the event from SunshineWeek.org events page:

Wednesday, March 19: OpenTheGovernment.org and several other associations are sponsoring the third annual Sunshine Week National Dialogue on Open Government and Secrecy. This year's panel discussions will focus on "Government Secrecy: Censoring Your Right to Know." The event will be webcast for free from the National Press Club to sites around the country. Satellite feeds will be available with prior registration and for a fee. Those interested can also attend at the Press Club. To see the additional sponsors and a list of speakers, as well as for registration information, visit the OpenTheGovernment.org Web site.

Can PigFoot present US Rep. Murtha the 2007 Porker of the Year award? Video

Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) has the latest video on the legendary "PigFoot", their mascot. Here, he tries to give their 2007 Porker of the Year award to US Rep. John Murtha (Dem-PA) during his annual dinner with defense contractors, many of which he gives earmarks to in exchange for campaign contributions!

Here is that video...

Tell your US Senators to vote YES for year-long earmark moratorium

Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) is running an internet grassroots campaign to remove earmarks from the federal budgeting process.

Right now, Sens. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) are offering an amendment to the 2009 budget resolution that will impose a year-long moratorium on congressional earmarks.

Earmarking invites fraudulent behavior, hollows out or national defenses, and diverts lawmakers' attention from important national business like saving Medicare and Social Security for our children and grandchildren. Many congressional offices even have one or more staffers dedicated solely to procuring earmarks.

A year-long moratorium is a critical step forward to stopping Congress’s addiction to earmarking. It will give members time to reform the process, devote more effort to critical issues, and help keep money in taxpayers’ wallets instead of being diverted to Washington where it can be converted into pork.

Please tell your Senators to support the DeMint-McCain Amendment to keep wasteful, pork-barrel spending out of the 2009 budget!

You can also call them through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.

Presidential candidate Clinton phone conversation with questionable fundraiser on video

I just stumbled upon a video clip on Silobreaker of a telephone conversation Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton had with a fundraiser. The caption below the video player states "Hiliary Clinton Caught violating Campaign finance laws". Frankly, I can't catch the law-breaking activity mentioned in the conversation; it apparently is a gala near Hollywood to honor her husband and previous president Bill Clinton that would benefit Hillary's campaign; she says on the phone that she as a candidate was briefed on the gala's details, and that her future thoughts will be conveyed to the fundraisers through her campaign helper.

The YouTube video is here; it is several minutes long.

Go to Budget School on the internet with US Rep. Marsha Blackburn

Here is a high-tech opportunity to learn about the federal budgeting process. Hosted by Republican Representative Marsha Blackburn, "Budget School" is sponsored by the Republican Study Committee, fiscal conservatives that work to keep the government small and your taxes down.

The first lesson was already completed last week- a review of last year's budget. You can still participate, so get in your chair and sit up! It is being held on Facebook; some homework is included.

A look at fiscally controversial 2007 Farm Bill by Taxpayers for Common Sense

The 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) is yet to be finalized. It is a popular bone of contention to fiscal reformers who see way to much waste and antiquated spending clauses in the annual spending bill. Taxpayers for Common Sense gives us an analysis of what it included in this year's bill being legislated on right now, and suggests ways to correct it and bring it under fiscal control for the American taxpayer.

Write about citizens and government decision-making at Helium's AmericaSpeaks page

AmericaSpeaks connects citizens with decision makers to discuss the most critical policy issues of today.

Using innovative deliberative tools such as the 21st Century Town Meeting, AmericaSpeaks has engaged more than 130,000 people in governance, in all 50 states and around the world.

Among other projects, AmericaSpeaks has brought large-scale citizen participation to the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site and New Orleans; to the creation of municipal budgets in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco; and to regional planning and economic development efforts in the greater Chicago area and Northeast Ohio.

Helium

AmericaSpeaks has partnered with Helium, giving you the chance to write for a cause.

Browse AmericaSpeaks' featured titles, pick an issue and write!

You can also donate your article earnings.

Share what you know, learn new perspectives and donate now.

President Bush accepting undisclosed big money contributions for his presidential library while in office

The Sunlight Foundation blog has a post today on a much neglected ethical breach participated by the Bush administration-- he is, right now, accepting undisclosed very large financial contributons from people, corporations and other countries for his developing presidential library! This is an open door to corruption right now as we speak, because at this same time he is holding the nation's highest public office. There is at least one bill addressing this problem in Congress-- the Presidential Library Donation Reform Act of 2007 (H.R. 1254), which requires the disclosure of contributors to the libraries.

Get involved locally with WhatDoTheyKnow.com and GroupsNearYou.com

mySociety.org is introducing two new citizen activist websites: http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/ and http://www.groupsnearyou.com/. Both focus on local activities, from your neighborhood, street or town. Meet and keep in touch with your neighbors and issues, and improve your quality of life. Even though mySociety.org is based in England, they are encouraging people around the world to: (1) find out what your local government bodies know about what is happening in your area, and (2) join or start a local citizens group and to add it to their online directory.

This is a chance for you to make a difference in your local community.

Video from US Rep. Murtha's pork crash!

Government Bytes blog has a wonderful video clip of the recent lobbyist dinner honoring US Rep. Murtha (D-PA) for his earmarks ways. You may remember that Murtha was annointed 2007 Porker of the Year by Citizens Against Government Waste's readers.

Taxpayers pay tribute to him with protests! Enjoy! Only one minute long..

Video from the PORK Crash!

Tell your US Representative and two US Senators NO to Bush administration slush fund

Public Citizen has a grassroots campaign to stop President Bush from increasing his battle to put big money interests over the public interest. Please tell your US Representative and two US Senators enough is enough, and to deny the administration abusing this extra power.

I just found out that the president is asking Congress to give him a slush fund -- he wants the ability to move funds around in the Executive Office of the President, which could mean giving the White House's regulatory office more power to put us at risk.

This is the office that is responsible for children dying and getting brain damage in the 1980s from Reye's Syndrome, because it kept the FDA from putting a simple warning label on aspirin. And it's been playing this dangerous game time and time again ever since then, putting us all at risk in ways we don't always know about, because it's so powerful but very secretive.

I just took action to tell Congress to say NO to the slush fund for Bush's White House -- and you can, too, at
http://action.citizen.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=23409&track=slushTAF

It think it's just outrageous he thinks he can get away with this!

A look at clean elections in action

Candidates, and ultimately voters, are already enjoying clean elections in Maine. The first state in the nation to bring this campaign finance reform to state offices, it has been successfully administered since 1996. This local newspaper story is about a current state representative candidate- what qualifies him for the program, and how he is free from big money from special interests as reflected by his campaign issues and work.

Watch video on public financing of elections

John Rauh, founder of Americans for Campaign Reform (Just $6) interviews best-selling author Frances Moore Lappe in an entertaining video about public financing of elections, or, as some call it, "clean elections".

Presently, this video clip is not picked up by users of the Firefox browser.
UPDATE: A commenter notified us that video works on Firefox. Thanks for letting us know!