Speaking Truth To Power

Speaking Truth to Power and Protecting Our Democracy

Speaking truth to power means being a leader who puts the people before everything. In a political system that often feels like it's a choice between two rigid machines, protecting our democracy requires the courage to call out corruption, inefficiency, and complicity wherever they exist — even within our own ranks.

A true representative is a servant of the people, not a rubber stamp for a party leader. To protect democracy, we must ensure that no official is above the law or beyond questioning.

Unrigging the System: Getting Money Out of Politics. Democracy is threatened when the loudest voices are the ones with the largest checks. To speak truth to power, we have to weaken the power of the pocketbook. Overturning Citizens United: Push for a constitutional amendment to end the era of “dark money.” Our democracy should be a competition of ideas, not a competition of bank accounts. Banning Corporate PACs: Support candidates who refuse to take money from corporate PACs and wealthy donors. When a representative is funded by the people, they are accountable only to the people.

Ending the Revolving Door: Implement a lifetime ban on members of Congress becoming lobbyists. Public service should be about the public good, not a stepping stone to a multi-million-dollar corporate consulting gig.

Redistricting Commissions: End partisan gerrymandering by taking the power to draw district lines away from politicians and giving it to independent, non-partisan commissions. Voters should choose their politicians; politicians should not choose their voters. We have successfully implemented this in Michigan.

Supporting a Free and Independent Press: Protect the “watchdogs” of democracy. This includes supporting local journalism and defending journalists from retaliatory investigations or harassment by the government.

Reclaiming the Power of the Purse: Congress must reassert its constitutional authority over federal spending and war powers. We cannot allow any President, regardless of party, to bypass the people's representatives to fund pet projects or enter conflicts without a vote. Trump's War in Iran is Illegal.