Sign petition to release George W Bush administration's 'torture memos'

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From: Common Cause

Release the Torture Memos

Arn Pearson, Common Cause

America does not tolerate "secret laws." Justice Department: release the torture memos. Sign the petition!

Candidate Obama promised an era of unparalleled openness and transparency in Washington.

President Obama has a big opportunity to make good on those promises this Thursday.

That's when the Justice Department faces a legal deadline for announcing its decision on releasing long-secret torture memos that sought to justify the so-called "enhanced interrogation techniques" used by the CIA in questioning prisoners held in U.S. custody.

Voices within and outside of the Administration are arguing to keep the memos secret.1 They want to stop the truth from coming out about our government's involvement in torture. We need to make sure President Obama doesn't listen to them.

Sign the petition now calling on the White House and the Justice Department to release the Bush torture memos on Thursday.

The American people have the right to know what is in these memos. Attorney General Eric Holder and the White House Counsel have reportedly already urged for their release.2

An Administration dedicated to transparency and the rule of law shouldn't hide the legal arguments its predecessor used to justify reprehensible acts carried out in our name.

With the Thursday deadline fast approaching, please act today and sign the petition urging the release of the torture memos.

Thanks for all you do,

Arn Pearson, and the rest of the team at Common Cause

P.S. Tell your friends! Please forward this to 5 friends by clicking here.

1. "More delays in release of 'torture' documents," CNN, April 2, 2009, http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/02/us.torture.documents/

2. "'Holy Hell' Over Torture Memos," Newsweek, April 3, 2009, http://www.newsweek.com/id/192314

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Please donate to Common Cause's project to help ensure transparency to stimulus funding

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From: Common Cause

Only two days left - donate today

Just 2 days left to reach our goal! Your donation to Common Cause will help ensure Recovery Act transparency and accountability. Donate today to help us reach our $50,000 goal by Friday.

Unless states enact transparency and accountability measures immediately, billions of dollars in economic stimulus funding could end up lining the pockets of lobbyists and contractors, funding the pet projects of special interests, or simply going to waste.

We can't let that happen. That's why Common Cause is working hard to launch a massive grassroots effort to ensure Recovery Act funds go where they're supposed to: towards boosting the economy, improving our infrastructure, and creating jobs.

Donate today, before it's too late to make sure our tax-dollars are spent wisely!

Since the Recovery Act was announced, Common Cause has led the charge for:

• A central website to serve as the primary communication and reporting tool for each state's use of the Recovery Act funds.
• An oversight committee to ensure that funds are allotted according to the merit of the project, not the influence of its overseer.
• An automated hotline, so that government workers and citizens alike can report any misuse of funds.
• Accountability practices that apply from the state and county level all the way down to municipalities and towns, ensuring transparency across the board.

Will you help us make sure these important safeguards become a reality? The Recovery Act offers America an opportunity to rebuild our economy, but it won't work if we don't make sure the process is fair and transparent.

Click here to donate now. We have just 2 days left to meet our $50,000 goal.

Thanks for all you do,

Arn Pearson
and the rest of the team at Common Cause

Common Cause is a national nonpartisan organization with chapters in 38 states. Our mailing address is 1133 19th Street NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20036. Our phone number is (202) 833-1200.


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• Transparency, a poem (allthingsreform.org)

Sign the Citizens' Petition for American hope and promise to all federal candidates

Government reform orgs. deliver news on major events within their areas of expertise.
From: Common Cause

Recapture the Flag

It's been a tough few years for "we the people."

We've endured repeated abuses of power by the Executive Branch of our government. Time after time, we've watched Congress fail to stand up for what's right. We've seen the very symbols of our democracy tarnished, as our nation's reputation suffers at home and abroad because of these abuses.

That's why Common Cause has launched a campaign to Recapture the Flag and unite us around the promise and hope of America.

Join with tens of thousands of your fellow activists in signing our Citizens' Petition to demand a President and Congress that believe in the Constitution, the rule of law and justice for all!

Then, find out where your candidates stand. We've asked every congressional and presidential candidate to make five simple promises:

• End torture, respect human rights and restore America’s reputation in the world.
• Respect the rule of law and fiercely challenge anyone who seeks to undermine the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
• Root out corruption, special interest abuses and partisan prejudice in the administration of justice.
• Hold to account – without exception – anyone who breaks the law or violates the public trust.
• Protect personal freedom by rejecting warrantless spying and other affronts to individual liberty.

Check the map to find out whether your candidates have taken the pledge to Renew America's Promise!

America can, and must, hold fast to the values that have made this country great - freedom from tyranny, respect for individual liberty and government based on the rule of law.

Let's make it clear that We The People expect no less from the next President and Congress.

. >All Things Reform Mobile: allthingsreform.mofuse.mobi >Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 (not toll-free) >US House/Senate Mobile: bit.ly/members >Contact your reps tips: bit.ly/dear .

Book Karl Rove for congressional hearings

Common Cause is campaigning to book Karl Rove for congressional hearings testimony.

Karl Rove refuses to comply with a congressional subpoena – but he's taking "booking requests" through his website. So let's book him.

Help us reach our goal of 20,000 signatures on our booking request.

To take action, just go to the campaign page and fill in your name and address. You may add a short comment. That's it! Thanks

. >All Things Reform Mobile: allthingsreform.mofuse.mobi >Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 (not toll-free) >US House/Senate Mobile: bit.ly/members >Contact your reps tips: bit.ly/dear .

Tell your US Rep. YES to inherent contempt for Karl Rove

Common Cause's Recapture the Flag campaign wants us to bring Karl Rove to the witness chair concerning possible politicization at the Department of Justice. Congress has the power and a duty to conduct investigations of possible wrongdoings in the Executive Branch. It's time to stop the stonewalling, and get the bottom of the questions about the firings of U.S. attorneys and other allegations about politicization at the Justice Department.

By voting for inherent contempt, Congress would be ordering the Sergeant-at-Arms to physically bring Rove in to testify. If he still refused, he could be jailed. Urge your Representative to support a vote of inherent contempt against Karl Rove!

Just personalize the sample letter if you desire, and send it off; a copy of your letter will be emailed to you if you prefer. Or, you may, instead, call your US Representative through the Capitol Switchboard; its number (not toll-free) is 202-224-3121. Thank you
.
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> All Things Reform Mobile- allthingsreform.mofuse.mobi
> Capitol Switchboard- 202-224-3121 (not toll-free)
> US House/ US Senate Mobile- bit.ly/members
> Contact your representative tips- bit.ly/dear
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Tell your US Representative and two US Senators NO to illegal wiretapping of citizens

Common Cause has an online campaign to stop Congress from compromising with the Bush administration over the illegal wiretapping of Americans. Telecom companies wiretapped American citizens without legally-required warrants a few years ago, and now Bush wants retroactive immunity from any justice.

Just a few weeks ago, the House stood strong and refused to give immunity to the phone companies that engaged in this criminality. But now, Congress is considering a "compromise" bill that could make it impossible for us to find out the details of the domestic spying program and hold accountable anyone who broke the law.

Please go to Common Cause's letter webpage and send a message to your representatives and say "no compromise"! Thank you

Sign the petition for National Popular Vote to replace the Electoral College in electing our president

Common Cause is running a petition drive to ask our states' legislators to support the National Popular Vote. It is a change from the current Electoral College system for electing our president. It guarantees the presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Four times in our history, (most recently in 2000) the Electoral College has sent a second-place candidate to the White House. This almost happened again in 2004 and some pollsters are already predicting it could happen again in 2008.

So far, four states have adopted the NPV plan (Maryland, New Jersey, Hawaii, and Illinois) and it has passed through at least one legislative body in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

Please sign the Common Cause petition now, to tell your own state legislators that you support the National Popular Vote as a way to elect our president.

Thank you

Tell US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi NO to President Bush and telecom immunity for illegal wiretappings

Common Cause is asking us to send a message to US House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi; there should be no immunity from legal action against President Bush and the telecom companies for illegally wiretapping US citizens a few years ago.

Speaker Pelosi and other House leaders are currently negotiating away this legal accounting of wrongdoing with President Bush and others. Please go to Credo Mobile's campaign webpage and send your message. Thank you

Call your U.S. Representative to vote YES for an independent ethics office

Common Cause is asking us to call our own U.S. Representatives and telling them to vote in favor of a new, independent ethics enforcement office. For years, the House ethics committee has been negligent is following up complaints, investigating problems and enforcing ethics laws. This new independent office would relieve Congress members from the difficulties of self-regulation. Please call soon, as the vote to allow the new office will be made as early as Thursday. Thank you; please leave their response to your call at Common Cause.

Ask the presidential candidates where they stand on reform issues

Common Cause is forwarding a Midwest Democracy Network survey to all of our major presidential candidates, asking them where they stand on some political reform issues. If you would like to participate, please go here. Common Cause says in its email action alert:

" The presidential candidates have gone on the record with their plans for health care, their ideas to improve the economy and their strategies for dealing with Iraq.

But, despite repeated requests, only one of the remaining candidates has answered the Midwest Democracy Network's questionnaire about democracy and government reform. "

Thanks for taking action!

Call U.S. Attorney General Mukasey and ask him to meet with Common Cause

From Common Cause:

Over the seven years of the Bush Administration, the American justice system has taken quite a beating. From the denial of fundamental civil rights and civil liberties to the outright abuse of our Constitution – the integrity of our justice system is in jeopardy.

So, Common Cause is stepping up to the plate to restore our democracy's rule of law. Our first step was to ask new Attorney General Michael Mukasey for a meeting to express our concerns and recommendations. But he refused. I am writing to you today to ask you to make a simple, quick phone call to Attorney General Mukasey, urging him to meet with Common Cause.

Common Cause is running a telephone campaign. They are having difficulty getting U.S. Attorney General Mukasey to talk with them. We can help by calling his office directly ourselves and asking him to meet with Common Cause, then leaving the answer at Common Cause's webpage for this campaign. The number is (202) 514-2001. Be sure to report your call! Thank you.

Help Common Cause advertise on "Holt" secure election machine bill

Common Cause is asking for financial donations to help them on an advertising run. If you can help them put up a newspaper ad in all nine of a committee members' hometown newspapers concerning an elections-related bill, please help at the link below. Here is their full fundraising letter:

Dear __,

As a strong supporter of Common Cause, you know that when our country's most important issues are on the line, Common Cause is at work.

Help us place online newspaper ads to get the Holt bill moving. Donate today!

With elections in full swing and dozens of states left in the lurch, without secure voting machines, our democracy's basic values aren't merely "on the line" – they're in the line of fire. And, to make matters worse, the Holt bill, which would secure those voting machines, is locked up in Congress' Committee on House Administration.

Here's the good news: Common Cause already has big plans underway to keep the ball rolling on the Holt bill. With your support, we'll run ads on the Committee members' local newspapers' websites, urging them to bring the Holt bill to a vote, and to secure our elections once and for all.

Help Common Cause launch nine online newspaper ads with a donation today!

Unfortunately, right now we only have the resources to run the ad in one local newspaper – the hometown paper of Rep. Brady, the Chairman of the House Administration Committee. But, the fact is, in order to turn up the heat on Congress and get the Holt bill to a vote, we've got to run ads online in all nine of the Committee members' newspapers.

That's why your immediate support is critical. Only with your help can we launch all of the ads we need to keep up the pressure and ensure that Congress does not dilly dally in voting on this critical legislation.

Help Common Cause launch all nine online newspaper ads with a donation today!

It's plain to see that a wave of change is sweeping over our country. We cannot allow that wave of change to stop short simply because of voting machine errors that could have been prevented had Congress passed the Holt bill.

David, I hope it's as clear to you as it is to me: with this being a big change election year, if we want an election process we can trust – and I know you do – we must act together, and we must act now.

Thanks for all you do,

Bob Edgar
Common Cause

Add your name to the verifiable paper trail voting cause

Common Cause has a fun way to show citizens' support for verifiable paper ballots for election day. Many states use electronic machines without the receipt, leaving no way to recount the "ballots". Take action here and leave your name, address, photo and short message on a U.S. map, and contribute with many others who feel the same way. Let's put "democracy" back into our electoral system!

Tell the FCC NO on fewer mass media owners

Common Cause is leading an email campaign on the issue of media consolidation. Recent news says that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has scheduled a vote on December 18th on whether to allow fewer mass media companies such as major news networks, radio stations and daily newspapers, than we have now.

Further relaxing media consolidation rules means fewer voices on the airwaves and less variety of viewpoints and information. We, the people, must enjoy free speech in all of its forms, including radio, tv, newspapers and more. We need a large variety of owners in our local and national news and entertainment media. If you agree, please take action here by contacting the FCC through the Common Cause website; the larger the number of letters sent in this campaign, the greater the chance for success.

From Fresh Start for Democracy: please sign the petition to presidential candidates!

Common Cause is starting its Fresh Start for Democracy project, by asking us to sign their petition to all of the presidential candidates. It is a commitment to democratic reform. If you agree, please take action and sign the petition here. This is Common Cause's message:

Dear _,
In 2008, we've got a fundamental choice to make: Will we settle for modest change and incremental gains? Or will we demand the broad, all-encompassing fresh start for democracy that our country so urgently needs?
Sign our Fresh Start for Democracy petition today! Let's make it clear that we won't settle for anything less thana vibrant revival of American democracy.
As it should be in a democracy, it's up to us. We are the leaders we've been waiting for. I urge you to join Common Cause in an all-out effort to reclaim the full promise of our democracy. We’ll start by delivering a petition -- signed by thousands of activists like you -- to all 2008 presidential candidates on January 1st, urging them to commit themselves to a Fresh Start for Democracy.
Sign our Fresh Start for Democracy petition today! We need genuine leadership from candidates ready, willing and able to address the fundamental, "can't wait" problems that America faces in 2008. To make it concrete and actionable, Common Cause is demanding:
* Ethical, open government without lies and abuses of power distorting it.
* A full, spirited, fact-based-debate on issues like health care and global warming without special interests driving it.
* An accurate and secure election process without fraud and unjust legal barriers undermining it.
* A robust national conversation about our future without Big Media stifling it.
Please sign our Fresh Start for Democracy petition today! Together, we can make sure presidential candidates know that there is a powerful popular outcry for the deep-seated changes we're calling for.
I am certainly ready for renewal, to say the least, and definitely up for the challenge. Are you? Thanks for all you do,
Bob Edgar
President, Common Cause

Let's make 2008 a Fresh Start for Democracy!

Common Cause has devoted 2008 to the complete renewal of democracy here in the United States. Yes, that is a tall order. But if anyone can do it, it is the large membership of a very respected good government public interest, Common Cause. Let us all help Fresh Start for Democracy, by supporting and being active this upcoming election year! Here is their message:

Dear _,
After years of war, corruption, abuse of power, and disregard for
the Constitution and the rule of law, the American spirit has taken quite a beating. Help us launch a Fresh Start for Democracy.
Send an e-card to your friends with Bob's inspiring message!
It's time for renewal, time for civic-minded people all across America to join in launching a fresh start for democracy in 2008. We need to lift our sights, renew our passion for participation and act together to restore democracy's promise. That is what Common Cause's Fresh Start for Democracy Campaign is all about. In this critical year of transition for our country, we can't settle for modest improvements. We need fundamental change. Rampant corruption doesn't need to be scaled back. It has to be ended. Abuses of power don't need to become less blatant. They need to disappear. We're not looking to weaken the hold that special interests have on American politics. We're out to break their grip once and for all. In 2008, we've got a fundamental choice to make: Will we settle for modest change and incremental gains? Or will we demand the broad, all-encompassing fresh start for democracy that our country so urgently needs?As
it should be in a democracy, it's up to us. I urge you to join Common Cause in an all-out effort to reclaim the full promise of our democracy. Together, I know that we can spark a movement capable of producing the broad, powerful changes we need to enliven civic life in America and produce genuine, deep-seated progress on issues that will define our future. That's the promise of democracy. Let's work together to
achieve it.
Peace,
Bob Edgar
President, Common Cause
P.S. Help us spread the word by sending an e-card to your friends and family about our campaign for a Fresh Start for Democracy.

Call your U.S. Representative to co-sponsor the Fair Elections Now Act

Common Cause, a participant public interest group in this ongoing Fair Elections Action Week, has a notice out that the U.S. House now has a sister bill to the Senate's Fair Elections Now Act. Please see this blog's November 12, 2007 post for more information about the senate bill; if you agree to further legislation with this U.S. House bill, please take action at this webpage, or just call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 .

At the end of last week, Rep. John Larson (D-CT), member of the House Leadership and new champion of "Fair Elections" public financing reform, sent a letter to the entire U.S. House asking for original cosponsors of his Fair Elections Now Act, a sister bill to the Durbin-Specter bill of the same name in the Senate.
Larson comes from the newest "Clean Elections" state, Connecticut, which will offer full public funding to candidates for state office who accept spending limits and swear off special interest cash in the 2008 election. He's also someone, like Durbin, who is simply tired of the fundraising arms race and the corrosive influence of big money on our political system.
Months ago we declared this Fair Elections Action Week--with events for public funding of campaigns happening throughout the country--and now there's a key opportunity to push this issue in Congress. We're asking folks to call their representatives and ask them to be original cosponsors of Rep. Larson's Fair Elections Now Act--so please make a call today and help give this bill some momentum and some new supporters! If you don't want to leave your call information with Common Cause, just call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your U.S. Representative's office to leave your message.

Tell your U.S. Representative to oversee the FCC

Common Cause has released an action alert on the issue of media consolidation. They are fighting unethical moves by the Federal Communications Commission to hastily pass media ownership rules. Here is their explanation; if you agree, please take action at this webpage:

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin wants his agency to make crucial decisions about media ownership rules behind closed doors and without public input. That’s what happened in 2003, until Congress and the courts stepped in. We shouldn’t let history repeat itself.
Contact your Representative today, and let them know that if the FCC won’t listen to the public, Congress can and should exercise its oversight power.
These media ownership rules are too important to be kept secret. We need full disclosure and a robust public debate before the FCC votes to make any changes that would allow Big Media to get even bigger.