wiki.occupyboston.org - User contributions [en]

The Rally and Summit to Unite Citizens for Democracy

2012-01-16T18:49:29Z

Stewart76:

<p style="text-align: center">[[File:Rally.jpg|320x400px|RTENOTITLE]]</p><p style="text-align: center">[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Citizens_United_to_End_Political_Bribery_%28Working_Group%29 Back to CU WG wiki]</p><p style="text-align: center">This schedule is a living document and minor changes in the times and in the break-out session details may be made.</p>
----

'''<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Friday, January 20 | Rally to Unite Citizens for Democracy | St. Paul's Cathedral | 138 Tremont St, Boston | 4pm - 8 pm</span>'''

*4:00 - 4:30 - Community Gather Time
*'''4:30 - 4:50 - "We the People" Rep.'' ''Cory Atkins '''
*'''4:50 - 5:10 - " Cross-Partisan Organizing: Finding Areas of Agreement" Szelena Grey:'''
*5:10 - 5:45 - Break-out Sessions on Corporate Influence
**Financial Industry (Pam Wilmot)
**Environmental Concerns (Terra Fredricks)
**Housing Crisis
**Military Spending (Veterans for Peace, MPC)
**Immigration - Historical Perspective (Felipe Zamborlini and Samuel Psoi)
**Education
**Corporate Culture (Grace Morris)
**Healthcare (MA Nurses Association)
**Agri-business (Theresa Earle)
*'''5:45 - 6:00 - "#Occupy Legislation Handbook" From Progressive Massachusetts - Senator Jamie Eldridge'''
*'''6:00 - 6:30 - "Corporate Personhood 101: A Panel Discussion" - John Bonifaz, Donna Palermino and Melia Lazu'''
*6:30 - 7:00 - Questions and Answers
*7:00 - 7:30 - Break-out Group Discussions
**How to talk to people about this subject (Pam Wilmot)
**How corporations work and how to get them to work for us (Grace Morris)
**Five Sources of Campaign Finance (Patrick Frank)
**Tales of Non-Coordination: SuperPACs
**Pay to Play
**Public Financing of Elections (Jules Levine)
*7:30 - 8:00 - Reception and Entertainment
*8:00 - 8:10 - Closing Remarks

----

'''Saturday, January 21 | Summit to Unite Citizens for Democracy | Suffolk University, Donahue Hall | 41 Temple St., Boston | 10am - 4pm'''

*9:30 - 10:00 - Community Gathering
*'''10:00 - 10:45 - Lawrence Lessig Presentation '''
*10:45 - 11:00 - Questions and Answers
*11:00 - 11:20 - Coffee Break and Book Signing
*11:20 - 12:00 - Breakout Sessions II
**Impacting Local Elections (Jules Levine & Harmony)
**Article V Convention
**Consumer Strategies
**Corporate and Small Business Alliances
**Presidental Elections (Patrick Frank)
**The Pesticide Industry (Ellen Fine & Theresa Earle)
**Citizen Journalism and Breaking Through the Media (Jess Schuman)
*12:00-12:30 - Lunch
*'''12:30-1:00 - Powermapping (Patrick Frank, Grace Morris)'''
*1:00-1:45 - Breakout Discussions
**How to Start a Ballot Initiative
**How to Pass Local Resolutions
**Coalition Building
**Community Building
**Occupy Boston Proposal Groups
**Federal Election Commission (Mass. League of Women Voters)
*1:45 - 2:30 - Present Break-out Proposals
*'''2:30 - 3:15 - Citizens Lobbying Training Workshop (Grace Ross, Avi Green, Pam Wilmot)'''
*'''3:15 - 3:30 - Next Steps - Join a Working group (Jules Levine)'''
*3:30 - 4:00 - Occupy Boston Open House

----

'''Participating Groups for the Rally and Summit Include'''

*Boston Amendment Group
*Coffee Party in Boston
*Common Cause
*Dollars and Cents
*Free Speech For People
*Greater Boston Move to Amend
*Massachusetts Nurses Association
*MassVote
*Progressive Massachusetts
*Public Citizen
*Rootstrikers

----

For questions, contact [mailto:citizensunited@occupyboston.org citizensunited@occupyboston.org]

<span style="text-align: center">This schedule is a living document and minor changes in the times and the break-out session details may be made.</span>

[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Citizens_United_to_End_Political_Bribery_%28Working_Group%29 Back to CU WG wiki]
<div><span style="text-align: center"></span><br/></div>

The Rally and Summit to Unite Citizens for Democracy

2012-01-16T18:46:07Z

Stewart76:

<p style="text-align: center">[[File:Rally.jpg|320x400px|RTENOTITLE]]</p><p style="text-align: center">[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Citizens_United_to_End_Political_Bribery_%28Working_Group%29 Back to CU WG wiki]</p><p style="text-align: center">This schedule is a living document and minor changes in the times and in the break-out session details may be made.</p>
----

'''<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Friday, January 20 | Rally to Unite Citizens for Democracy | St. Paul's Cathedral | 138 Tremont St, Boston | 4pm - 8 pm</span>'''

*4:00 - 4:30 - Community Gather Time
*'''4:30 - 4:50 - "We the People" Rep.'' ''Cory Atkins '''
*'''4:50 - 5:10 - " Cross-Partisan Organizing: Finding Areas of Agreement" Szelena Grey:'''
*5:10 - 5:45 - Break-out Sessions on Corporate Influence
**Financial Industry (Pam Wilmot)
**Environmental Concerns (Terra Fredricks)
**Housing Crisis
**Military Spending (Veterans for Peace, MPC)
**Immigration - Historical Perspective (Felipe Zamborlini and Samuel Psoi)
**Education
**Corporate Culture (Grace Morris)
**Healthcare (MA Nurses Association)
**Agri-business (Theresa Earle)
*'''5:45 - 6:00 - "#Occupy Legislation Handbook" From Progressive Massachusetts - Senator Jamie Eldridge'''
*'''6:00 - 6:30 - "Corporate Personhood 101: A Panel Discussion" - John Bonifaz, Donna Palermino and Melia Lazu'''
*6:30 - 7:00 - Questions and Answers
*7:00 - 7:30 - Break-out Group Discussions
**How to talk to people about this subject (Pam Wilmot)
**How corporations work and how to get them to work for us (Grace Morris)
**Five Sources of Campaign Finance (Patrick Frank)
**Tales of Non-Coordination: SuperPACs
**Pay to Play
**Public Financing of Elections (Jules Levine)
*7:30 - 8:00 - Reception and Entertainment
*8:00 - 8:10 - Closing Remarks

----

'''Saturday, January 21 | Summit to Unite Citizens for Democracy | Suffolk University, Donahue Hall | 41 Temple St., Boston | 10am - 4pm'''

*9:30 - 10:00 - Community Gathering
*'''10:00 - 10:45 - Lawrence Lessig Presentation '''
*10:45 - 11:00 - Questions and Answers
*11:00 - 11:20 - Coffee Break and Book Signing
*11:20 - 12:00 - Breakout Sessions II
**Impacting Local Elections (Jules Levine & Harmony)
**Article V Convention
**Consumer Strategies
**Corporate and Small Business Alliances
**Presidental Elections (Patrick Frank)
**The Pesticide Industry (Ellen Fine & Theresa Earle)
**Citizen Journalism and Breaking Through the Media (Jess Schuman)
*12:00-12:30 - Lunch
*'''12:30-1:00 - Powermapping (Patrick Frank, Grace Morris)'''
*1:00-1:45 - Breakout Discussions
**How to Start a Ballot Initiative
**How to Pass Local Resolutions
**Coalition Building
**Community Building
**Occupy Boston Proposal Groups
**Federal Election Commission (Mass. League of Women Voters)
*1:45 - 2:30 - Present Break-out Proposals
*'''2:30 - 3:15 - Citizens Lobbying Training Workshop (Grace Ross, Avi Green, Pam Wilmot)'''
*'''3:15 - 3:30 - Next Steps - Join a Working group (Jules Levine)'''
*3:30 - 4:00 - Occupy Boston Open House

----

'''Participating Groups for the Rally and Summit Include'''

*Boston Amendment Group
*Coffee Party in Boston
*Common Cause
*Dollars and Cents
*Free Speech For People
*Greater Boston Move to Amend
*League of Women Voters of MA
*Massachusetts Nurses Association
*MassVote
*Progressive Massachusetts
*Public Citizen
*Rootstrikers
*Service Employees International Union (SEIU Local 615)

----

For questions, contact [mailto:citizensunited@occupyboston.org citizensunited@occupyboston.org]

<span style="text-align: center">This schedule is a living document and minor changes in the times and the break-out session details may be made.</span>

[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Citizens_United_to_End_Political_Bribery_%28Working_Group%29 Back to CU WG wiki]
<div><span style="text-align: center"></span><br/></div>

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)

2012-01-11T22:05:18Z

Stewart76: /* January 11 - Planning for January 20/21 Rally and Summit for Uniting Citizens for Democracy */

== Overview ==

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (CUEPB) is a Working Group pursuing the goal of getting corporate money out of politics.  We focus on realistic actions in Massachusetts, but also extend our efforts to nationwide politics.  This wiki page serves to collect information and discuss ideas before bringing proposals to Occupy Boston General Assembly.  Everything here should be considered a draft, unless conspicuously labeled otherwise.  To participate, come to one of our scheduled meetings or comment on the discussion tab for a page.  You can also edit a page, but we'd like to know who's involved, so please introduce yourself.

*Contact us at citizensunited@occupyboston.org
*Sign up to join our email list by clicking [https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited here]. 
*Visit our website [http://www.campaignfinancereform.us/ here] for a list of [http://www.campaignfinancereform.us/groups/national groups], [http://www.campaignfinancereform.us/calendar-of-events events], and actions.

== Main Events on January 20-21 ==

On the January 20–21 anniversary of the Citizens United decision,  a wide coalition of groups will stand together for GETTING MONEY OUT OF POLITCS! Here is a list of events taking place on those dates

'''Friday January 20 | Occupy the Courts | Federal Courthouse | 12:45pm - 2pm'''

*Visit [http://movetoamend.org/occupythecourts Move to Amend] for more information.
<div></div>
'''January 20 & 21 | Rally and Summit to Unite Citizens for Democracy | Boston'''

*Click [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/The_Rally_and_Summit_to_Unite_Citizens_for_Democracy here] for more information

== Meetings:<br/> ==

=== January 11 - Planning for January 20/21 Rally and Summit for Uniting Citizens for Democracy ===

At BU Law School 765 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 920B.  [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=214682642402038198599.0004b5d32af56e9a6c37f&msa=0&ll=42.350822,-71.106606&spn=0.00758,0.011995 Map].

Tentative Planning Meeting Agenda

6:00 - Community Gathering
Please join us for refreshments and socializing in Room 920B

6:20 - Introduction
Welcome to Occupy Boston and thank you for coming to this planning meeting for “The Rally and Summit to Unite Citizens for Democracy.” The goal of this event is to educate people and see if we can inspire them to find solutions to the very complex problem of corporate and special interest influence over a government that was created for the people.
All of you have a specific expertise. The goal of this meeting is for us to brainstorm ideas and figure out how to work together on this event and make sure attendees leave feeling that they have participated in a productive and meaningful way.

6:30 - Break Out Groups
Please use this time to break out with representatives from other neighboring organizations and answer the following questions. Try to do this with people you don’t already know.
What goals do your organizations have for participating in this day?
What do you want people to leave this event knowing? What do you want to teach them?
What do you want people to do when they leave this event?
How can your organization help people come up with a strategy for action?

7:00 - Report Backs
Please have one person from your group report back the answers to these questions. These answers will be combined with feedback from our Community Gathering on January 2.

7:30 - Create a Schedule
This time will be used to create classes and breakout discussion topics for the event. Please keep in mind that the same way we are polling this group for ideas. The final schedule should also allow for some flexibility, so that attendees can also feel part of the agenda and that their ideas are incorporated.

Tentative Rally Schedule
*This is a preliminary schedule of events for the Friday.
**4:00 - 4:30 - Community Gathering Time
**4:30 - 4:50 - “We the People” Rep. Cory Atkins
**4:50 - 5:30 - Break-out discussions
**5:30 - 6:00 - '''Panel Discussion'''
**6:00 - 6:30 - Entertainment
**6:30 - 7:10 - Break-out Group Discussions
**7:10 - 7:40 - Break-out Group Presentations
**7:40 - 8:00 - Closing Address

*This is a preliminary schedule of events for the Saturday.
**10:00 - 10:30 - Community Gathering
**10:30 - 11:15 - '''Lawrence Lessig Presentation'''
**11:15 - 12:00 - Break-out Group Discussions
**12:00 - 12:30 - Lunch
**12:30 - 1:00 - Break-out Group Discussions
**1:00 - 1:45 - Break-out Proposals
**1:45 - 2:30 - Break-out Proposals
**2:30 - 3:15 - Proposal Presentations
**3:15 - 4:00 - '''Grace Ross - Citizens Lobbying Training Workshop'''

 Please be prepared to discuss your goals for the Summit.

**'''What are the goals for 20th/21st event (15 minutes)'''
***Get media attention
***Bring people together
***Brainstorm our next action collective action
***Develop a roadmap of issues and figure out who is addressing what and how.  Make sure we work together effectively
****Constitutional Amendment for corporate personhood
****Constitutional Amendment (or laws) for limiting money in politics
****Public financing of elections
****Closing the revolving door between politics and industy
****Ending legalized bribery and lobbying corruption
****...
**Discuss Media Strategy (15 minutes)
**Discuss materials to have on hand (10 minutes)
**Propose that Occupy Boston Citizens United group moderate both events (5 minutes)
**Discuss plan for Friday | 4pm-8pm | St. Paul's Church (10 minutes)
***See above event description for speakers list
**Discuss plan for Saturday | 10am-4pm | location to be determined (20 minutes)
***See above event description for speakers list
***'''Lots of working groups (but what should they be?  What do we hope to get out of them?)'''
****Brainstorming the next big action (something related to S772?)
****Developing a roadmap for everything (no one action will fix our system)
****Each element of advancing reform can have it's own group (ending corporate personhood, reducing money in electiions, closing revolving door, fixing lobbying system, etc.)

=== Minutes from Previous Meetings ===

*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Dec._22_CUEPB_Meeting 2011, Dec 22 CUEPB]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._30_BAAC_Meeting 2011, Nov 30 BAAC]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._22_CUEPB_Meeting 2011, Nov 22 CUEPB]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._16_CUEPB_Meeting 2011, Nov 16 CUEPB]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._12_Open_Discussion:_SJR29 2011, Nov 12 Open Discussion of Udall Amendment]

== Background Information: ==

=== Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion ===

*The minority dissenting opinion quoted at this link gives arguments against the Supreme Court's majority opinion. After a summary, the opinion continues (not quoted here,) describing in detail the laws and rulings related to corporate personhood.
*Under U.S. law, a corporation is a "corporate veil," protecting individuals inside a company from being prosecuted for the actions of the business. In 1886 the U.S. Supreme Court decided that corporations are entitled to many rights accorded to citizens, in its decision of ''Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Rail Road Co.''
*In 1907 Congress passed the Tillman Act, prohibiting corporations from donating money directly to national political campaigns. This still holds, but in January 2010 the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 (in ''Citizens United v. FEC'') that corporations can spend unlimited amounts on political advertisements as long as they don't directly coordinate that spending with an actual candidate.
*The ''Citizens United v. FEC'' decision invalidated protections that had existed in Massachusetts General Law, according to a March, 2010 ruling of the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Many bills are now being introduced in Massachusetts and at the federal level to counteract the wide effects of last year's Supreme Court decision by restricting corporate money from influencing politics.

=== Campaign Finance Legislation (passed and pending) ===

*Click [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Campaign_Finance_Legislation here] for a list of legislation

=== Additional Resources ===

*[http://www.cfinst.org/data.aspx The Campaign Finance Institute]
*[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67460.html How to End Corruption] (according to Jack Abramoff)

<br/>[[Category:Working groups|Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)]] <br/> <br/>

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)

2012-01-11T22:04:27Z

Stewart76: /* January 11 - Planning for January 20/21 Rally and Summit for Uniting Citizens for Democracy */

== Overview ==

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (CUEPB) is a Working Group pursuing the goal of getting corporate money out of politics.  We focus on realistic actions in Massachusetts, but also extend our efforts to nationwide politics.  This wiki page serves to collect information and discuss ideas before bringing proposals to Occupy Boston General Assembly.  Everything here should be considered a draft, unless conspicuously labeled otherwise.  To participate, come to one of our scheduled meetings or comment on the discussion tab for a page.  You can also edit a page, but we'd like to know who's involved, so please introduce yourself.

*Contact us at citizensunited@occupyboston.org
*Sign up to join our email list by clicking [https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited here]. 
*Visit our website [http://www.campaignfinancereform.us/ here] for a list of [http://www.campaignfinancereform.us/groups/national groups], [http://www.campaignfinancereform.us/calendar-of-events events], and actions.

== Main Events on January 20-21 ==

On the January 20–21 anniversary of the Citizens United decision,  a wide coalition of groups will stand together for GETTING MONEY OUT OF POLITCS! Here is a list of events taking place on those dates

'''Friday January 20 | Occupy the Courts | Federal Courthouse | 12:45pm - 2pm'''

*Visit [http://movetoamend.org/occupythecourts Move to Amend] for more information.
<div></div>
'''January 20 & 21 | Rally and Summit to Unite Citizens for Democracy | Boston'''

*Click [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/The_Rally_and_Summit_to_Unite_Citizens_for_Democracy here] for more information

== Meetings:<br/> ==

=== January 11 - Planning for January 20/21 Rally and Summit for Uniting Citizens for Democracy ===

At BU Law School 765 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 920B.  [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=214682642402038198599.0004b5d32af56e9a6c37f&msa=0&ll=42.350822,-71.106606&spn=0.00758,0.011995 Map].

Tentative Planning Meeting Agenda
6:00 - Community Gathering
Please join us for refreshments and socializing in Room 920B
6:20 - Introduction
Welcome to Occupy Boston and thank you for coming to this planning meeting for “The Rally and Summit to Unite Citizens for Democracy.” The goal of this event is to educate people and see if we can inspire them to find solutions to the very complex problem of corporate and special interest influence over a government that was created for the people.
All of you have a specific expertise. The goal of this meeting is for us to brainstorm ideas and figure out how to work together on this event and make sure attendees leave feeling that they have participated in a productive and meaningful way.
6:30 - Break Out Groups
Please use this time to break out with representatives from other neighboring organizations and answer the following questions. Try to do this with people you don’t already know.
What goals do your organizations have for participating in this day?
What do you want people to leave this event knowing? What do you want to teach them?
What do you want people to do when they leave this event?
How can your organization help people come up with a strategy for action?
7:00 - Report Backs
Please have one person from your group report back the answers to these questions. These answers will be combined with feedback from our Community Gathering on January 2.
7:30 - Create-A-Curriculum
This time will be used to create classes and breakout discussion topics for the event. Please keep in mind that the same way we are polling this group for ideas. The final schedule should also allow for some flexibility, so that attendees can also feel part of the agenda and that their ideas are incorporated.

Tentative Rally Schedule
*This is a preliminary schedule of events for the Friday.
**4:00 - 4:30 - Community Gathering Time
**4:30 - 4:50 - “We the People” Rep. Cory Atkins
**4:50 - 5:30 - Break-out discussions
**5:30 - 6:00 - '''Panel Discussion'''
**6:00 - 6:30 - Entertainment
**6:30 - 7:10 - Break-out Group Discussions
**7:10 - 7:40 - Break-out Group Presentations
**7:40 - 8:00 - Closing Address

*This is a preliminary schedule of events for the Saturday.
**10:00 - 10:30 - Community Gathering
**10:30 - 11:15 - '''Lawrence Lessig Presentation'''
**11:15 - 12:00 - Break-out Group Discussions
**12:00 - 12:30 - Lunch
**12:30 - 1:00 - Break-out Group Discussions
**1:00 - 1:45 - Break-out Proposals
**1:45 - 2:30 - Break-out Proposals
**2:30 - 3:15 - Proposal Presentations
**3:15 - 4:00 - '''Grace Ross - Citizens Lobbying Training Workshop'''

 Please be prepared to discuss your goals for the Summit.

**'''What are the goals for 20th/21st event (15 minutes)'''
***Get media attention
***Bring people together
***Brainstorm our next action collective action
***Develop a roadmap of issues and figure out who is addressing what and how.  Make sure we work together effectively
****Constitutional Amendment for corporate personhood
****Constitutional Amendment (or laws) for limiting money in politics
****Public financing of elections
****Closing the revolving door between politics and industy
****Ending legalized bribery and lobbying corruption
****...
**Discuss Media Strategy (15 minutes)
**Discuss materials to have on hand (10 minutes)
**Propose that Occupy Boston Citizens United group moderate both events (5 minutes)
**Discuss plan for Friday | 4pm-8pm | St. Paul's Church (10 minutes)
***See above event description for speakers list
**Discuss plan for Saturday | 10am-4pm | location to be determined (20 minutes)
***See above event description for speakers list
***'''Lots of working groups (but what should they be?  What do we hope to get out of them?)'''
****Brainstorming the next big action (something related to S772?)
****Developing a roadmap for everything (no one action will fix our system)
****Each element of advancing reform can have it's own group (ending corporate personhood, reducing money in electiions, closing revolving door, fixing lobbying system, etc.)

=== Minutes from Previous Meetings ===

*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Dec._22_CUEPB_Meeting 2011, Dec 22 CUEPB]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._30_BAAC_Meeting 2011, Nov 30 BAAC]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._22_CUEPB_Meeting 2011, Nov 22 CUEPB]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._16_CUEPB_Meeting 2011, Nov 16 CUEPB]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._12_Open_Discussion:_SJR29 2011, Nov 12 Open Discussion of Udall Amendment]

== Background Information: ==

=== Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion ===

*The minority dissenting opinion quoted at this link gives arguments against the Supreme Court's majority opinion. After a summary, the opinion continues (not quoted here,) describing in detail the laws and rulings related to corporate personhood.
*Under U.S. law, a corporation is a "corporate veil," protecting individuals inside a company from being prosecuted for the actions of the business. In 1886 the U.S. Supreme Court decided that corporations are entitled to many rights accorded to citizens, in its decision of ''Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Rail Road Co.''
*In 1907 Congress passed the Tillman Act, prohibiting corporations from donating money directly to national political campaigns. This still holds, but in January 2010 the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 (in ''Citizens United v. FEC'') that corporations can spend unlimited amounts on political advertisements as long as they don't directly coordinate that spending with an actual candidate.
*The ''Citizens United v. FEC'' decision invalidated protections that had existed in Massachusetts General Law, according to a March, 2010 ruling of the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Many bills are now being introduced in Massachusetts and at the federal level to counteract the wide effects of last year's Supreme Court decision by restricting corporate money from influencing politics.

=== Campaign Finance Legislation (passed and pending) ===

*Click [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Campaign_Finance_Legislation here] for a list of legislation

=== Additional Resources ===

*[http://www.cfinst.org/data.aspx The Campaign Finance Institute]
*[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67460.html How to End Corruption] (according to Jack Abramoff)

<br/>[[Category:Working groups|Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)]] <br/> <br/>

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)

2012-01-08T18:06:40Z

Stewart76: /* Main Events on January 20-21 */

== Overview ==

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (CUEPB) is a Working Group pursuing the goal of getting corporate money out of politics.  We focus on realistic actions in Massachusetts, but also extend our efforts to nationwide politics.  This wiki page serves to collect information and discuss ideas before bringing proposals to Occupy Boston General Assembly.  Everything here should be considered a draft, unless conspicuously labeled otherwise.  To participate, come to one of our scheduled meetings or comment on the discussion tab for a page.  You can also edit a page, but we'd like to know who's involved, so please introduce yourself.

*Contact us at citizensunited@occupyboston.org
*Sign up to join our email list by clicking [https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited here]. 
*Visit our website [http://www.campaignfinancereform.us/ here] for a list of [http://www.campaignfinancereform.us/groups/national groups], [http://www.campaignfinancereform.us/calendar-of-events events], and actions.

== Main Events on January 20-21 ==

On the January 20–21 anniversary of the Citizens United decision,  a wide coalition of groups will stand together for GETTING MONEY OUT OF POLITCS! Here is a list of events taking place on those dates

'''Friday January 20 | Occupy the Courts | Federal Courthouse | 12:45pm - 2pm'''

*Visit [http://www.movetoamend.com Move to Amend] for more information.
<div></div>
'''January 20 & 21 | Rally and Summit to Unite Citizens for Democracy | Boston'''

*Click [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/The_Rally_and_Summit_to_Unite_Citizens_for_Democracy here] for more information

== Meetings:<br/> ==

=== January 11 - Planning for January 20/21 Rally and Summit for Uniting Citizens for Democracy ===

At BU Law School 765 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 920B.  [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=214682642402038198599.0004b5d32af56e9a6c37f&msa=0&ll=42.350822,-71.106606&spn=0.00758,0.011995 Map].

Proposed Agenda (Please Edit!)

**30 minutes (at least) to get goals 
*30 minutes for break-up groups for people with similar goals together

*'''60 minutes - each group in attendance gets 5 minutes to introduce themselves and what they are planning.  Please be prepared to discuss your goals for the Summit.  Groups in attendence will be'''
**Move to Amend (yes)
**Free Speech for People (maybe)
**... who else? ...

*'''90 minutes - planning of events (may need more time?) '''- Andy will bring his computer and use powerpoint to help manage this discussion 
**'''What are the goals for 20th/21st event (15 minutes)'''
***Get media attention
***Bring people together
***Brainstorm our next action collective action
***Develop a roadmap of issues and figure out who is addressing what and how.  Make sure we work together effectively
****Constitutional Amendment for corporate personhood
****Constitutional Amendment (or laws) for limiting money in politics
****Public financing of elections
****Closing the revolving door between politics and industy
****Ending legalized bribery and lobbying corruption
****...
**Discuss Media Strategy (15 minutes)
**Discuss materials to have on hand (10 minutes)
**Propose that Occupy Boston Citizens United group moderate both events (5 minutes)
**Discuss plan for Friday | 4pm-8pm | St. Paul's Church (10 minutes)
***See above event description for speakers list
**Discuss plan for Saturday | 10am-4pm | location to be determined (20 minutes)
***See above event description for speakers list
***'''Lots of working groups (but what should they be?  What do we hope to get out of them?)'''
****Brainstorming the next big action (something related to S772?)
****Developing a roadmap for everything (no one action will fix our system)
****Each element of advancing reform can have it's own group (ending corporate personhood, reducing money in electiions, closing revolving door, fixing lobbying system, etc.)

=== Minutes from Previous Meetings ===

*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Dec._22_CUEPB_Meeting 2011, Dec 22 CUEPB]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._30_BAAC_Meeting 2011, Nov 30 BAAC]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._22_CUEPB_Meeting 2011, Nov 22 CUEPB]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._16_CUEPB_Meeting 2011, Nov 16 CUEPB]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._12_Open_Discussion:_SJR29 2011, Nov 12 Open Discussion of Udall Amendment]

== Background Information: ==

=== Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion ===

*The minority dissenting opinion quoted at this link gives arguments against the Supreme Court's majority opinion. After a summary, the opinion continues (not quoted here,) describing in detail the laws and rulings related to corporate personhood.
*Under U.S. law, a corporation is a "corporate veil," protecting individuals inside a company from being prosecuted for the actions of the business. In 1886 the U.S. Supreme Court decided that corporations are entitled to many rights accorded to citizens, in its decision of ''Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Rail Road Co.''
*In 1907 Congress passed the Tillman Act, prohibiting corporations from donating money directly to national political campaigns. This still holds, but in January 2010 the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 (in ''Citizens United v. FEC'') that corporations can spend unlimited amounts on political advertisements as long as they don't directly coordinate that spending with an actual candidate.
*The ''Citizens United v. FEC'' decision invalidated protections that had existed in Massachusetts General Law, according to a March, 2010 ruling of the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Many bills are now being introduced in Massachusetts and at the federal level to counteract the wide effects of last year's Supreme Court decision by restricting corporate money from influencing politics.

=== Campaign Finance Legislation (passed and pending) ===

*Click [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Campaign_Finance_Legislation here] for a list of legislation

=== Additional Resources ===

*[http://www.cfinst.org/data.aspx The Campaign Finance Institute]
*[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67460.html How to End Corruption] (according to Jack Abramoff)

<br/>[[Category:Working groups|<Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)>]] <br/> <br/>

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)

2012-01-08T18:04:09Z

Stewart76: /* Main Events on January 20-21 */

== Overview ==

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (CUEPB) is a Working Group pursuing the goal of getting corporate money out of politics.  We focus on realistic actions in Massachusetts, but also extend our efforts to nationwide politics.  This wiki page serves to collect information and discuss ideas before bringing proposals to Occupy Boston General Assembly.  Everything here should be considered a draft, unless conspicuously labeled otherwise.  To participate, come to one of our scheduled meetings or comment on the discussion tab for a page.  You can also edit a page, but we'd like to know who's involved, so please introduce yourself.

*Contact us at citizensunited@occupyboston.org
*Sign up to join our email list by clicking [https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited here]. 
*Visit our website [http://www.campaignfinancereform.us/ here] for a list of [http://www.campaignfinancereform.us/groups/national groups], [http://www.campaignfinancereform.us/calendar-of-events events], and actions.

== Main Events on January 20-21 ==

On the January 20–21 anniversary of the Citizens United decision,  a wide coalition of groups will stand together for GETTING MONEY OUT OF POLITCS! Here is a list of events taking place on those dates

'''Friday January 20 | Occupy the Courts | Federal Courthouse | 12:45pm - 2pm'''

*Visit [http://www.movetoamend.com Move to Amend] for more information.
<div></div>
'''Friday January 20 | Rally to Unite Citizens for Democracy | St. Pauls Cathedral | 4pm - 8pm'''

*The schedule below is a preliminary idea.  Perhaps the leader of each breakout group should speak for 5-10 minutes?
**4:00 - 4:10 - Welcoming address and introduction
**4:10 - 4:30 - '''Cory Atkins''' Opens
**4:30 - 4:50 - '''John Bonifaz''' Speaks
**4:50 - 6:00 - Description of different break-out groups
**4:45 - 6:00 - Break out group discussions
**6:00 - 6:30 - '''Panel Discussion'''
**6:30 - 7:10 - Break-out Group Discussions
**7:10 - 7:40 - Break-out Group Presentations
**7:40 - 8:00 - '''Jamie Eldridge''' - Closing Addess
**Event to involve lectures and break out sessions

'''Saturday, January 21 | Summit to Unite Citizens for Democracy | location to be determined | 10pm - 4pm'''

*10:00 - 10:15 - Welcome Address and Introduction
*10:15 - 10:45 - '''Lawrence Lessig''''''e'''
*3:00 - 4:00     - '''Grace Ross (lobbying)'''
*Speakers to include Lawrence Lessig (~10:30am), Jules Levine, Donna Palermino, Patrick Frank, Pam Wilmot, and Grace Ross (to close the day)
*Event to involve lectures, panel discussions and break-out sessions.
*'''Participating Groups for the Rally and Summit Include'''
**Boston Amendment Group
**Coffee Party in Boston
**Common Cause
**Dollars and Cents
**Free Speech For People
**League of Women Voters of MA 
**Massachusetts Nurses Association
**MassVote 
**Move to Amend
**Occupy Boston
**Public Citizen
**Service Employees International Unition (SEIU Local 615)

== Meetings:<br/> ==

=== January 11 - Planning for January 20/21 Rally and Summit for Uniting Citizens for Democracy ===

At BU Law School 765 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 920B.  [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=214682642402038198599.0004b5d32af56e9a6c37f&msa=0&ll=42.350822,-71.106606&spn=0.00758,0.011995 Map].

Proposed Agenda (Please Edit!)

**30 minutes (at least) to get goals 
*30 minutes for break-up groups for people with similar goals together

*'''60 minutes - each group in attendance gets 5 minutes to introduce themselves and what they are planning.  Please be prepared to discuss your goals for the Summit.  Groups in attendence will be'''
**Move to Amend (yes)
**Free Speech for People (maybe)
**... who else? ...

*'''90 minutes - planning of events (may need more time?) '''- Andy will bring his computer and use powerpoint to help manage this discussion 
**'''What are the goals for 20th/21st event (15 minutes)'''
***Get media attention
***Bring people together
***Brainstorm our next action collective action
***Develop a roadmap of issues and figure out who is addressing what and how.  Make sure we work together effectively
****Constitutional Amendment for corporate personhood
****Constitutional Amendment (or laws) for limiting money in politics
****Public financing of elections
****Closing the revolving door between politics and industy
****Ending legalized bribery and lobbying corruption
****...
**Discuss Media Strategy (15 minutes)
**Discuss materials to have on hand (10 minutes)
**Propose that Occupy Boston Citizens United group moderate both events (5 minutes)
**Discuss plan for Friday | 4pm-8pm | St. Paul's Church (10 minutes)
***See above event description for speakers list
**Discuss plan for Saturday | 10am-4pm | location to be determined (20 minutes)
***See above event description for speakers list
***'''Lots of working groups (but what should they be?  What do we hope to get out of them?)'''
****Brainstorming the next big action (something related to S772?)
****Developing a roadmap for everything (no one action will fix our system)
****Each element of advancing reform can have it's own group (ending corporate personhood, reducing money in electiions, closing revolving door, fixing lobbying system, etc.)

=== Minutes from Previous Meetings ===

*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Dec._22_CUEPB_Meeting 2011, Dec 22 CUEPB]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._30_BAAC_Meeting 2011, Nov 30 BAAC]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._22_CUEPB_Meeting 2011, Nov 22 CUEPB]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._16_CUEPB_Meeting 2011, Nov 16 CUEPB]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._12_Open_Discussion:_SJR29 2011, Nov 12 Open Discussion of Udall Amendment]

== Background Information: ==

=== Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion ===

*The minority dissenting opinion quoted at this link gives arguments against the Supreme Court's majority opinion. After a summary, the opinion continues (not quoted here,) describing in detail the laws and rulings related to corporate personhood.
*Under U.S. law, a corporation is a "corporate veil," protecting individuals inside a company from being prosecuted for the actions of the business. In 1886 the U.S. Supreme Court decided that corporations are entitled to many rights accorded to citizens, in its decision of ''Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Rail Road Co.''
*In 1907 Congress passed the Tillman Act, prohibiting corporations from donating money directly to national political campaigns. This still holds, but in January 2010 the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 (in ''Citizens United v. FEC'') that corporations can spend unlimited amounts on political advertisements as long as they don't directly coordinate that spending with an actual candidate.
*The ''Citizens United v. FEC'' decision invalidated protections that had existed in Massachusetts General Law, according to a March, 2010 ruling of the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Many bills are now being introduced in Massachusetts and at the federal level to counteract the wide effects of last year's Supreme Court decision by restricting corporate money from influencing politics.

=== Campaign Finance Legislation (passed and pending) ===

*Click [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Campaign_Finance_Legislation here] for a list of legislation

=== Additional Resources ===

*[http://www.cfinst.org/data.aspx The Campaign Finance Institute]
*[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67460.html How to End Corruption] (according to Jack Abramoff)

<br/>[[Category:Working groups|<Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)>]] <br/> <br/>

The Rally and Summit to Unite Citizens for Democracy

2012-01-08T17:49:46Z

Stewart76:

[[File:Rally.jpg]]

'''Friday, January 20 | Rally to Unite Citizens for Democracy | St. Paul's Cathedral | 4pm - 8 pm'''

*This is a preliminary schedule of events for the Rally.
**4:00 - 4:10 - Welcoming address and introduction
**4:10 - 4:30 - '''Cory Atkins''' Opens
**4:30 - 4:50 - '''John Bonifaz''' Speaks
**4:50 - 6:00 - Description of different break-out groups
**4:45 - 6:00 - Break out group discussions
**6:00 - 6:30 - '''Panel Discussion'''
**6:30 - 7:10 - Break-out Group Discussions
**7:10 - 7:40 - Break-out Group Presentations
**7:40 - 8:00 - '''Jamie Eldridge''' - Closing Addess
**Event to involve lectures and break out sessions

'''Saturday, January 21 | Summit to Unite Citizens for Democracy | location to be determined | 10pm - 4pm'''

*10:00 - 10:15 - Welcome Address and Introduction
*10:15 - 10:45 - '''Lawrence Lessig Presentation'''
*10:45 - 11:30 - Break-out Group Discussions
*11:30 - 12:15 - Break-out Group Discussions
*12:15 - 1:00 - Lunch
*1:00 - 1:45 - Break-out Proposals
*1:45 - 2:30 - Break-out Proposals
*2:30 - 3:15 - Proposal Presentations
*3:15 - 4:00 - '''Grace Ross - Citizens Lobbying Training Workshop'''
*Speakers to include Lawrence Lessig (~10:30am), Jules Levine, Donna Palermino, Patrick Frank, Pam Wilmot, Arthur Macewan and Grace Ross (to close the day)
*Event to involve lectures, panel discussions and break-out sessions.
*'''Participating Groups for the Rally and Summit Include'''
**Boston Amendment Group
**Coffee Party in Boston
**Common Cause
**Dollars and Cents
**Free Speech For People
**League of Women Voters of MA
**Massachusetts Nurses Association
**MassVote
**Move to Amend
**Progressive Massachusetts
**Public Citizen
**Rootstrikers
**Service Employees International Union (SEIU Local 615)

The Rally and Summit to Unite Citizens for Democracy

2012-01-08T17:44:27Z

Stewart76:

[[File:Rally.jpg]]

'''Friday, January 20 | Rally to Unite Citizens for Democracy | St. Paul's Cathedral | 4pm - 8 pm'''

*This is a preliminary schedule of events for the Rally.
**4:00 - 4:10 - Welcoming address and introduction
**4:10 - 4:30 - '''Cory Atkins''' Opens
**4:30 - 4:50 - '''John Bonifaz''' Speaks
**4:50 - 6:00 - Description of different break-out groups
**4:45 - 6:00 - Break out group discussions
**6:00 - 6:30 - '''Panel Discussion'''
**6:30 - 7:10 - Break-out Group Discussions
**7:10 - 7:40 - Break-out Group Presentations
**7:40 - 8:00 - '''Jamie Eldridge''' - Closing Addess
**Event to involve lectures and break out sessions

'''Saturday, January 21 | Summit to Unite Citizens for Democracy | location to be determined | 10pm - 4pm'''

*10:00 - 10:15 - Welcome Address and Introduction
*10:15 - 10:45 - '''Lawrence Lessig Presentation'''
*10:45 - 11:30 - Break-out Group Discussions
*11:30 - 12:15 - Break-out Group Discussions
*12:15 - 1:00 - Lunch
*1:00 - 1:45 - Break-out Proposals
*1:45 - 2:30 - Break-out Proposals
*2:30 - 3:15 - Proposal Presentations
*3:15 - 4:00 - '''Grace Ross - Citizens Lobbying Training Workshop'''
*Speakers to include Lawrence Lessig (~10:30am), Jules Levine, Donna Palermino, Patrick Frank, Pam Wilmot, and Grace Ross (to close the day)
*Event to involve lectures, panel discussions and break-out sessions.
*'''Participating Groups for the Rally and Summit Include'''
**Boston Amendment Group
**Coffee Party in Boston
**Common Cause
**Dollars and Cents
**Free Speech For People
**League of Women Voters of MA 
**Massachusetts Nurses Association
**MassVote 
**Move to Amend
**Occupy Boston
**Public Citizen
**Service Employees International Unition (SEIU Local 615)

The Rally and Summit to Unite Citizens for Democracy

2012-01-08T17:35:28Z

Stewart76:

[[File:Rally.jpg]]

*The schedule below is a preliminary idea.  Perhaps the leader of each breakout group should speak for 5-10 minutes?
**4:00 - 4:10 - Welcoming address and introduction
**4:10 - 4:30 - '''Cory Atkins''' Opens
**4:30 - 4:50 - '''John Bonifaz''' Speaks
**4:50 - 6:00 - Description of different break-out groups
**4:45 - 6:00 - Break out group discussions
**6:00 - 6:30 - '''Panel Discussion'''
**6:30 - 7:10 - Break-out Group Discussions
**7:10 - 7:40 - Break-out Group Presentations
**7:40 - 8:00 - '''Jamie Eldridge''' - Closing Addess
**Event to involve lectures and break out sessions

'''Saturday, January 21 | Summit to Unite Citizens for Democracy | location to be determined | 10pm - 4pm'''

*10:00 - 10:15 - Welcome Address and Introduction
*10:15 - 10:45 - '''Lawrence Lessig''''''e'''
*3:00 - 4:00     - '''Grace Ross (lobbying)'''
*Speakers to include Lawrence Lessig (~10:30am), Jules Levine, Donna Palermino, Patrick Frank, Pam Wilmot, and Grace Ross (to close the day)
*Event to involve lectures, panel discussions and break-out sessions.
*'''Participating Groups for the Rally and Summit Include'''
**Boston Amendment Group
**Coffee Party in Boston
**Common Cause
**Dollars and Cents
**Free Speech For People
**League of Women Voters of MA 
**Massachusetts Nurses Association
**MassVote 
**Move to Amend
**Occupy Boston
**Public Citizen
**Service Employees International Unition (SEIU Local 615)

File:Rally.jpg

2012-01-08T17:34:18Z

Stewart76:

The Rally and Summit to Unite Citizens for Democracy

2012-01-08T17:27:48Z

Stewart76: Created page with "*The schedule below is a preliminary idea.  Perhaps the leader of each breakout group should speak for 5-10 minutes? **4:00 - 4:10 - Welcoming address and introduction **4:1..."

*The schedule below is a preliminary idea.  Perhaps the leader of each breakout group should speak for 5-10 minutes?
**4:00 - 4:10 - Welcoming address and introduction
**4:10 - 4:30 - '''Cory Atkins''' Opens
**4:30 - 4:50 - '''John Bonifaz''' Speaks
**4:50 - 6:00 - Description of different break-out groups
**4:45 - 6:00 - Break out group discussions
**6:00 - 6:30 - '''Panel Discussion'''
**6:30 - 7:10 - Break-out Group Discussions
**7:10 - 7:40 - Break-out Group Presentations
**7:40 - 8:00 - '''Jamie Eldridge''' - Closing Addess
**Event to involve lectures and break out sessions

'''Saturday, January 21 | Summit to Unite Citizens for Democracy | location to be determined | 10pm - 4pm'''

*10:00 - 10:15 - Welcome Address and Introduction
*10:15 - 10:45 - '''Lawrence Lessig''''''e'''
*3:00 - 4:00     - '''Grace Ross (lobbying)'''
*Speakers to include Lawrence Lessig (~10:30am), Jules Levine, Donna Palermino, Patrick Frank, Pam Wilmot, and Grace Ross (to close the day)
*Event to involve lectures, panel discussions and break-out sessions.
*'''Participating Groups for the Rally and Summit Include'''
**Boston Amendment Group
**Coffee Party in Boston
**Common Cause
**Dollars and Cents
**Free Speech For People
**League of Women Voters of MA 
**Massachusetts Nurses Association
**MassVote 
**Move to Amend
**Occupy Boston
**Public Citizen
**Service Employees International Unition (SEIU Local 615)

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)

2012-01-08T17:20:26Z

Stewart76: /* Main Events on January 20-21 */

== Overview ==

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (CUEPB) is a Working Group pursuing the goal of getting corporate money out of politics.  We focus on realistic actions in Massachusetts, but also extend our efforts to nationwide politics.  This wiki page serves to collect information and discuss ideas before bringing proposals to Occupy Boston General Assembly.  Everything here should be considered a draft, unless conspicuously labeled otherwise.  To participate, come to one of our scheduled meetings or comment on the discussion tab for a page.  You can also edit a page, but we'd like to know who's involved, so please introduce yourself.

*Contact us at citizensunited@occupyboston.org
*Sign up to join our email list by clicking [https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited here]. 
*Visit our website [http://www.campaignfinancereform.us/ here] for a list of [http://www.campaignfinancereform.us/groups/national groups], [http://www.campaignfinancereform.us/calendar-of-events events], and actions.

== Main Events on January 20-21 ==

On the January 20–21 anniversary of the Citizens United decision,  a wide coalition of groups will stand together for GETTING MONEY OUT OF POLITCS! Here is a list of events taking place on those dates

'''Friday January 20 | Occupy the Courts | Federal Courthouse | 12:45pm - 2pm'''

*Please visit www.movetoamend.com for more information.
<div></div>
'''Friday January 20 | Rally to Unite Citizens for Democracy | St. Pauls Cathedral | 4pm - 8pm'''

*The schedule below is a preliminary idea.  Perhaps the leader of each breakout group should speak for 5-10 minutes?
**4:00 - 4:10 - Welcoming address and introduction
**4:10 - 4:30 - '''Cory Atkins''' Opens
**4:30 - 4:50 - '''John Bonifaz''' Speaks
**4:50 - 6:00 - Description of different break-out groups
**4:45 - 6:00 - Break out group discussions
**6:00 - 6:30 - '''Panel Discussion'''
**6:30 - 7:10 - Break-out Group Discussions
**7:10 - 7:40 - Break-out Group Presentations
**7:40 - 8:00 - '''Jamie Eldridge''' - Closing Addess
**Event to involve lectures and break out sessions

'''Saturday, January 21 | Summit to Unite Citizens for Democracy | location to be determined | 10pm - 4pm'''

*10:00 - 10:15 - Welcome Address and Introduction
*10:15 - 10:45 - '''Lawrence Lessig''''''e'''
*3:00 - 4:00     - '''Grace Ross (lobbying)'''
*Speakers to include Lawrence Lessig (~10:30am), Jules Levine, Donna Palermino, Patrick Frank, Pam Wilmot, and Grace Ross (to close the day)
*Event to involve lectures, panel discussions and break-out sessions.
*'''Participating Groups for the Rally and Summit Include'''
**Boston Amendment Group
**Coffee Party in Boston
**Common Cause
**Dollars and Cents
**Free Speech For People
**League of Women Voters of MA 
**Massachusetts Nurses Association
**MassVote 
**Move to Amend
**Occupy Boston
**Public Citizen
**Service Employees International Unition (SEIU Local 615)

== Meetings:<br/> ==

=== January 11 - Planning for January 20/21 Rally and Summit for Uniting Citizens for Democracy ===

At BU Law School 765 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 920B.  [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=214682642402038198599.0004b5d32af56e9a6c37f&msa=0&ll=42.350822,-71.106606&spn=0.00758,0.011995 Map].

Proposed Agenda (Please Edit!)

**30 minutes (at least) to get goals 
*30 minutes for break-up groups for people with similar goals together

*'''60 minutes - each group in attendance gets 5 minutes to introduce themselves and what they are planning.  Please be prepared to discuss your goals for the Summit.  Groups in attendence will be'''
**Move to Amend (yes)
**Free Speech for People (maybe)
**... who else? ...

*'''90 minutes - planning of events (may need more time?) '''- Andy will bring his computer and use powerpoint to help manage this discussion 
**'''What are the goals for 20th/21st event (15 minutes)'''
***Get media attention
***Bring people together
***Brainstorm our next action collective action
***Develop a roadmap of issues and figure out who is addressing what and how.  Make sure we work together effectively
****Constitutional Amendment for corporate personhood
****Constitutional Amendment (or laws) for limiting money in politics
****Public financing of elections
****Closing the revolving door between politics and industy
****Ending legalized bribery and lobbying corruption
****...
**Discuss Media Strategy (15 minutes)
**Discuss materials to have on hand (10 minutes)
**Propose that Occupy Boston Citizens United group moderate both events (5 minutes)
**Discuss plan for Friday | 4pm-8pm | St. Paul's Church (10 minutes)
***See above event description for speakers list
**Discuss plan for Saturday | 10am-4pm | location to be determined (20 minutes)
***See above event description for speakers list
***'''Lots of working groups (but what should they be?  What do we hope to get out of them?)'''
****Brainstorming the next big action (something related to S772?)
****Developing a roadmap for everything (no one action will fix our system)
****Each element of advancing reform can have it's own group (ending corporate personhood, reducing money in electiions, closing revolving door, fixing lobbying system, etc.)

=== Minutes from Previous Meetings ===

*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Dec._22_CUEPB_Meeting 2011, Dec 22 CUEPB]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._30_BAAC_Meeting 2011, Nov 30 BAAC]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._22_CUEPB_Meeting 2011, Nov 22 CUEPB]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._16_CUEPB_Meeting 2011, Nov 16 CUEPB]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._12_Open_Discussion:_SJR29 2011, Nov 12 Open Discussion of Udall Amendment]

== Background Information: ==

=== Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion ===

*The minority dissenting opinion quoted at this link gives arguments against the Supreme Court's majority opinion. After a summary, the opinion continues (not quoted here,) describing in detail the laws and rulings related to corporate personhood.
*Under U.S. law, a corporation is a "corporate veil," protecting individuals inside a company from being prosecuted for the actions of the business. In 1886 the U.S. Supreme Court decided that corporations are entitled to many rights accorded to citizens, in its decision of ''Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Rail Road Co.''
*In 1907 Congress passed the Tillman Act, prohibiting corporations from donating money directly to national political campaigns. This still holds, but in January 2010 the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 (in ''Citizens United v. FEC'') that corporations can spend unlimited amounts on political advertisements as long as they don't directly coordinate that spending with an actual candidate.
*The ''Citizens United v. FEC'' decision invalidated protections that had existed in Massachusetts General Law, according to a March, 2010 ruling of the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Many bills are now being introduced in Massachusetts and at the federal level to counteract the wide effects of last year's Supreme Court decision by restricting corporate money from influencing politics.

=== Campaign Finance Legislation (passed and pending) ===

*Click [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Campaign_Finance_Legislation here] for a list of legislation

=== Additional Resources ===

*[http://www.cfinst.org/data.aspx The Campaign Finance Institute]
*[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67460.html How to End Corruption] (according to Jack Abramoff)

<br/>[[Category:Working groups|<Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)>]] <br/> <br/>

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)

2012-01-08T17:19:54Z

Stewart76: /* Main Events on January 20-21 */

== Overview ==

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (CUEPB) is a Working Group pursuing the goal of getting corporate money out of politics.  We focus on realistic actions in Massachusetts, but also extend our efforts to nationwide politics.  This wiki page serves to collect information and discuss ideas before bringing proposals to Occupy Boston General Assembly.  Everything here should be considered a draft, unless conspicuously labeled otherwise.  To participate, come to one of our scheduled meetings or comment on the discussion tab for a page.  You can also edit a page, but we'd like to know who's involved, so please introduce yourself.

*Contact us at citizensunited@occupyboston.org
*Sign up to join our email list by clicking [https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited here]. 
*Visit our website [http://www.campaignfinancereform.us/ here] for a list of [http://www.campaignfinancereform.us/groups/national groups], [http://www.campaignfinancereform.us/calendar-of-events events], and actions.

== Main Events on January 20-21 ==

On the January 20–21 anniversary of the Citizens United decision,  a wide coalition of groups will stand together for GETTING MONEY OUT OF POLITCS! Here is a list of events taking place on those dates

'''Friday January 20 | Occupy the Courts | Federal Courthouse | 12:45pm - 2pm'''

*Please visit www.movetoamaned.com for more information.
<div></div>
'''Friday January 20 | Rally to Unite Citizens for Democracy | St. Pauls Cathedral | 4pm - 8pm'''

*The schedule below is a preliminary idea.  Perhaps the leader of each breakout group should speak for 5-10 minutes?
**4:00 - 4:10 - Welcoming address and introduction
**4:10 - 4:30 - '''Cory Atkins''' Opens
**4:30 - 4:50 - '''John Bonifaz''' Speaks
**4:50 - 6:00 - Description of different break-out groups
**4:45 - 6:00 - Break out group discussions
**6:00 - 6:30 - '''Panel Discussion'''
**6:30 - 7:10 - Break-out Group Discussions
**7:10 - 7:40 - Break-out Group Presentations
**7:40 - 8:00 - '''Jamie Eldridge''' - Closing Addess
**Event to involve lectures and break out sessions

'''Saturday, January 21 | Summit to Unite Citizens for Democracy | location to be determined | 10pm - 4pm'''

*10:00 - 10:15 - Welcome Address and Introduction
*10:15 - 10:45 - '''Lawrence Lessig''''''e'''
*3:00 - 4:00     - '''Grace Ross (lobbying)'''
*Speakers to include Lawrence Lessig (~10:30am), Jules Levine, Donna Palermino, Patrick Frank, Pam Wilmot, and Grace Ross (to close the day)
*Event to involve lectures, panel discussions and break-out sessions.
*'''Participating Groups for the Rally and Summit Include'''
**Boston Amendment Group
**Coffee Party in Boston
**Common Cause
**Dollars and Cents
**Free Speech For People
**League of Women Voters of MA 
**Massachusetts Nurses Association
**MassVote 
**Move to Amend
**Occupy Boston
**Public Citizen
**Service Employees International Unition (SEIU Local 615)

== Meetings:<br/> ==

=== January 11 - Planning for January 20/21 Rally and Summit for Uniting Citizens for Democracy ===

At BU Law School 765 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 920B.  [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=214682642402038198599.0004b5d32af56e9a6c37f&msa=0&ll=42.350822,-71.106606&spn=0.00758,0.011995 Map].

Proposed Agenda (Please Edit!)

**30 minutes (at least) to get goals 
*30 minutes for break-up groups for people with similar goals together

*'''60 minutes - each group in attendance gets 5 minutes to introduce themselves and what they are planning.  Please be prepared to discuss your goals for the Summit.  Groups in attendence will be'''
**Move to Amend (yes)
**Free Speech for People (maybe)
**... who else? ...

*'''90 minutes - planning of events (may need more time?) '''- Andy will bring his computer and use powerpoint to help manage this discussion 
**'''What are the goals for 20th/21st event (15 minutes)'''
***Get media attention
***Bring people together
***Brainstorm our next action collective action
***Develop a roadmap of issues and figure out who is addressing what and how.  Make sure we work together effectively
****Constitutional Amendment for corporate personhood
****Constitutional Amendment (or laws) for limiting money in politics
****Public financing of elections
****Closing the revolving door between politics and industy
****Ending legalized bribery and lobbying corruption
****...
**Discuss Media Strategy (15 minutes)
**Discuss materials to have on hand (10 minutes)
**Propose that Occupy Boston Citizens United group moderate both events (5 minutes)
**Discuss plan for Friday | 4pm-8pm | St. Paul's Church (10 minutes)
***See above event description for speakers list
**Discuss plan for Saturday | 10am-4pm | location to be determined (20 minutes)
***See above event description for speakers list
***'''Lots of working groups (but what should they be?  What do we hope to get out of them?)'''
****Brainstorming the next big action (something related to S772?)
****Developing a roadmap for everything (no one action will fix our system)
****Each element of advancing reform can have it's own group (ending corporate personhood, reducing money in electiions, closing revolving door, fixing lobbying system, etc.)

=== Minutes from Previous Meetings ===

*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Dec._22_CUEPB_Meeting 2011, Dec 22 CUEPB]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._30_BAAC_Meeting 2011, Nov 30 BAAC]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._22_CUEPB_Meeting 2011, Nov 22 CUEPB]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._16_CUEPB_Meeting 2011, Nov 16 CUEPB]
*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Notes_from_Nov._12_Open_Discussion:_SJR29 2011, Nov 12 Open Discussion of Udall Amendment]

== Background Information: ==

=== Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion ===

*The minority dissenting opinion quoted at this link gives arguments against the Supreme Court's majority opinion. After a summary, the opinion continues (not quoted here,) describing in detail the laws and rulings related to corporate personhood.
*Under U.S. law, a corporation is a "corporate veil," protecting individuals inside a company from being prosecuted for the actions of the business. In 1886 the U.S. Supreme Court decided that corporations are entitled to many rights accorded to citizens, in its decision of ''Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Rail Road Co.''
*In 1907 Congress passed the Tillman Act, prohibiting corporations from donating money directly to national political campaigns. This still holds, but in January 2010 the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 (in ''Citizens United v. FEC'') that corporations can spend unlimited amounts on political advertisements as long as they don't directly coordinate that spending with an actual candidate.
*The ''Citizens United v. FEC'' decision invalidated protections that had existed in Massachusetts General Law, according to a March, 2010 ruling of the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Many bills are now being introduced in Massachusetts and at the federal level to counteract the wide effects of last year's Supreme Court decision by restricting corporate money from influencing politics.

=== Campaign Finance Legislation (passed and pending) ===

*Click [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Campaign_Finance_Legislation here] for a list of legislation

=== Additional Resources ===

*[http://www.cfinst.org/data.aspx The Campaign Finance Institute]
*[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67460.html How to End Corruption] (according to Jack Abramoff)

<br/>[[Category:Working groups|<Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)>]] <br/> <br/>

Ideas

2011-12-17T15:03:29Z

Stewart76: /* Workers Rights Concerns */

== Working Group Meeting Times ==

Sundays: Immediately following GA, meet in front of the stage we will pick a location from there.
Wednesdays: 6PM at the BU Law Building, Room 620

Cooming Soon: The ideas working group will be holding topic-focused open political discussions at 7pm on non-GA nights - Monday, Wednesday, and possibly Friday. We need indoor space for these discussions! If you know of any, let us know by emailing ideas@lists.occupyboston.org

*[[Ideas working group meeting notes]]

== Upcoming Public Discussions ==

*Held in the GA area, unless otherwise specified
*Topics set based on suggestions collected online [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Vote_here&action=edit vote here] and on the whiteboard outside Media tent

Want to set the agenda for future Public Discussions? [[Vote here]]

We want your input! Click here: [[Click here!|Subpage]] to fill out the "How Values Become Action" table.  You do need to log in/register. After clicking on "subpage" click "edit" in the upper right corner and then when you get the dialogue box make sure  you hit "rich text" so you're not dealing with code. 

Thanks!

[[Join the Ideas email list]] - email your ideas, join the online conversation, and view the archive of discussions

[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin&type=signup&returnto=Main_Page Join the wiki]. Have some ideas you are developing? Consider putting a link to them in the group workspace: [[User:WG-ideas]] You can also create your own user page by clicking on your name in the upper right.

== Concerns Data ==
The Ideas Group has begun the process of surveying occupiers from all over Massachusetts to get answers to the question, "What are the concerns/problems that brought you to the Occupy Movement?" This is a preliminary outline of the data we have collected so far. If you share a concern on the outline, please add an X next to it. If you have a concern not listed on the outline, please add it.
The Ideas Group would like to begin to prioritize these concerns based on your responses so that we can start holding concerns-based open discussions. It is our hope that working groups will form out of these discussions, and that from there we can start to build solutions.

===Government Concerns===
*Tax Reforms
**Progressive Reforms xxxx
*Small vs. Big Government
*Campaign Finance Reform/Get Money Out of Politics xxxxx xxxxx xxx
**Corporate Personhood xx
**Publicly Funded Elections xx
**Lobby Reforms xxx
*Horizontal Participatory Democracy xx
*Criminal Justice/Prison Reforms xx
*Disfunction b/w Branches xx
*American Ideology x
*Military Reforms
**Diplomacy vs War
**Spending xxx
*Infrastructure Spending x
*Social Programs xxxx
*Justice and Equality xxxxx

===Economic Concerns===
*Capitalism xxx
**Hyper-Capitalism/Greed xxx
*Sustainability x
*Privitization xxx
*Wall Street/Financial Regulation xxxxx xxx
**Housing Crisis x
**Debt Crisis
**Bank of America/Too big to Fail xxx
**Criminal Activity/Unethical Behavior xxxxx x
*Unemployment
**Outsourcing
*Wealth Inequality xxxxx xxxxx

===Socialization & Behavioral Concerns===
*Value Based Accounting x
*Violence
*Anti-Oppression xx
*American Exceptionalism xx
*Wasteful Consumer Behavior xx

===Environmental Concerns===
*Air
*Water xx
*Degradation x
*Global Warming/Climate Change xx
*Sustainability x
*Waste x
*Food Supply xx

===Education Concerns===
*K-12
*College x

===Healthcare Concerns===
*Healthcare Reforms xxxx
*Universal xxx

===Workers Rights Concerns===
*Unions xx

== ==

== PROPOSAL PASSED at GA 11/29/11 ==

Proposal for the General Assembly at Occupy Boston from the Statement of Purpose Working Group November 29, 2011

===Declaration of Occupation===

We, the people of Occupy Boston, have occupied Dewey Square in the heart of the financial district, in order to express dissent over the state of our political and financial systems. We are practicing a form of horizontal participatory democracy in the shadows of anti-democratic institutions that dominate our government and our lives. Through our occupation, we are creating an exemplar society in which no one's human needs go unmet.

The Occupy Movement has started a nationwide conversation about the realities of economic inequality and the meaning of Constitutional rights. We are committed to living the values of transparency, equality, accountability, awareness, sustainability, and compassion as we struggle against corporate predation, injustice, and oppression. We are actively seeking to include the diverse voices of the 99%. Together, we set a precedent and provide a foothold for people to demand a truer, more horizontal democracy, in which greed has no influence.

Regardless of media spin, police brutality, or sub-zero temperatures, we will continue to peacefully exercise our first amendment rights by occupying, holding general assemblies, and planning for the American Spring. Our goal is a society that prioritizes the needs of all before the profits of the few. We are the 99%.

==developing ideas==
===[[100 great political objectives]]===

===[[Occupy_Boston_Summit_Notes]]===
[[Occupy_Boston_Summit_Notes_-_Overflow_Room]]

== Public Discussion Minutes & Notes ==
=== Friday, 18 November ===

*Went through the new process for GA meetings put forth by the facilitators group. The mock topic was a proposal to add a values statement to the Statement of Purpose.
*Here is the feedback from the procedure:
**Facilitators need to be the ones writing on the whiteboard
**Process needs to keep going and sometimes be changed in order to figure out how to move forward.
**It may be that the best model for GA is not for people to propose a document that should be ratified, rather to propose the discussion of a document.
**Some people were lost during the discussion due to the new nature of the process.
**There is confusion in the new process of what happens after amendments had been made. This seems like a delicate point in the process.
**We still do not have a way for the GA to create a proposal.
**It may be beneficial for the facilitator, in the fly, to guide the synthesis of what GA is saying, and change the process as it needs to happen. This is tricky because the facilitators cannot help being biased. Another way is to have a very polished process that can handle many scenarios, but how to find that process?
**The new method does activate people's minds more - it tapped into the "creative capitol" of the GA better.
**we found that at one point the process did not fit the need of what we needed to do anymore at one point.
**There was a desire from many to keep the procedure fluid and adaptable somehow. Hopefully that fluidity can be written into the process (catch-22?)
**the facilitators need to have and be trusted with an extensive toolbox of process that will allow the fluidity of the discussion.
**It was noted that you are always giving your freedom up to the process, or a facilitator, or the loudest voice in GA. We are picking.

=== Wednesday, 16 November ===

*Announcement/Get the word out about Occupy Declaration: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99_Percent_Declaration http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99_Percent_Declaration]
*Proposal to create an information card for how to discuss the Occupy movement with families on Thanksgiving.  The information card could give suggestions on how to talk about Occupy, but also remind to collect ideas from family members which can then be brought back to the camp for discussion.
*Discussion of possibly wording statements so that they are not as inclusive, by using words like "most of us", etc.  Debated whether this is a good strategy, no position was taken.
*Discussion on the purpose of statements of purpose, and how it can guide its development. Mention that it can act as a guide to how we live responsibly with each other in the camp (internal purpose), and how we may bring people into solidarity with the movement (external), or how it will guide our actions as we move forward (intermal/external).
**Also it is noted that most of the good work that is done within Occupy Boston needs no Statement to happen, and that a multitude of different occupy movements have a wide range of different statement sizes, breadth, meaning, or do not have any statements at all.  No position was taken, however it was consented on that if we did draft a potential proposed Values statement, it might mention the internal and external purposes. (Note: google doc of all Occupy statement's movements here: [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RsPuWV2D8UjB-N5WrmxZM7QxGJIABHON-ya3YtGawx0/edit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RsPuWV2D8UjB-N5WrmxZM7QxGJIABHON-ya3YtGawx0/edit])
*Discussion of what the proposal that we will raise at the facilitation testing of the new GA process on Friday.  We decided that it will be to propose that a values statement to be added to the Statement of Purpose.
*Discussion of what values to start off the discussion will be (Tess has the list, i forgot to write it down)
*Decision to set the date of the GA for the real proposal is Tuesday Nov 22.
*Decision to table the discussion of the whitehouse.gov/petition discussion of what petition to create until Sunday's Ideas meeting.
*Decision for a topic of discussion for an Ideas Public Discussion sometime after the Summit:
*Discussion of all of the Authors that have drafted Mission Statements, Declarations of Occupation, etc. to offer their ideas to the public and garner feedback in a discussion format.

=== Friday, 11 November ===

VALUES that came out of the meeting:

*knowledge
**education
**awareness
**information
**transparency
*unity
*change x2
*respect
**diversity
*making "freedom" bigger
*non-violence x2
*peaceful
*consensus
*horizontal democracy x2
*solidarity
*equality
*fairness
*concern for others x2
*freedom
*positivity
*generosity
*compassion
*sustainability
*honesty
*unity
*cooperation
*mutual aid
*resistance to oppresion
*kindness
*empathy
*dialogue
*civility

<br/>SENTENCES that came out of the meeting:

*In an effort to create a more just and sustainable socitey, we will strive to embody the values of: inclusivity, honesty, non-violence, comapssion, cooperation, and ecological integrity.
*We seek to foster a cuture of inclusivity, a practice of sustainability, and a spirit of compassion.
*We beleive that in working towards change, we need to pread knowledge while maintainin a unity based on respect

[[File:Ideas values raw.png|300x358px|RTENOTITLE]]\

Original word cloud that was used to start the evening's discussion (word coud data collected from surveying the camp to answer the question "What values do we, as Occupy Boston, all share?"

<br/>see all [[Ideas working group values data]].

=== Friday, November 4 ===

Facilitator: Marty Facilitator: Forest Minutes: Mallory Stack Taker: None

The discussion followed this format:

*Introduction (10 minutes)
*Breakout Group Formation (individuals on stack) (20 minutes)
*Group Discussions (45 minutes)
*Group Stack/Presentations (10 minutes per group x 3 groups = 30 minutes)
*Conclusion/Summary

Breakout groups were formed after an opening discussion about what people wanted to talk about. The three breakout groups were:

*Local Issues
*Occupy as Paradigm Shift
*Functional divisions in the movement and occupy boston (i.e. offline/online, onsite/offsite)

Some noted questions/comments that resulted at the end of discussion:

*How does occupy reach into rural areas? Also, what about occupy gardens/farms?
*How to include people whose time is filled with work obligations (i.e. how to occupy time the same way we are currently occupying space)?
*"laboratory space" to describe our ideas discussions.

Two functional issues with discussion format identified by facilitator (Forest) were:

*Breakout groups for the most part lacked facilitation, stack taker, timekeepers, or minute recorders. In the future groups should ideally follow an established process for discussion.

*People who tended to agree seemed to clump together in the smaller groups. Maybe experimenting with starting groups with members randomly assigned and *then* applying law of two feet would be worthwhile? Also, instructing group initiators to make sure their group has someone taking stack?

Ideas

2011-12-17T15:01:47Z

Stewart76: /* Workers Rights Concerns */

== Working Group Meeting Times ==

Sundays: Immediately following GA, meet in front of the stage we will pick a location from there.
Wednesdays: 6PM at the BU Law Building, Room 620

Cooming Soon: The ideas working group will be holding topic-focused open political discussions at 7pm on non-GA nights - Monday, Wednesday, and possibly Friday. We need indoor space for these discussions! If you know of any, let us know by emailing ideas@lists.occupyboston.org

*[[Ideas working group meeting notes]]

== Upcoming Public Discussions ==

*Held in the GA area, unless otherwise specified
*Topics set based on suggestions collected online [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Vote_here&action=edit vote here] and on the whiteboard outside Media tent

Want to set the agenda for future Public Discussions? [[Vote here]]

We want your input! Click here: [[Click here!|Subpage]] to fill out the "How Values Become Action" table.  You do need to log in/register. After clicking on "subpage" click "edit" in the upper right corner and then when you get the dialogue box make sure  you hit "rich text" so you're not dealing with code. 

Thanks!

[[Join the Ideas email list]] - email your ideas, join the online conversation, and view the archive of discussions

[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin&type=signup&returnto=Main_Page Join the wiki]. Have some ideas you are developing? Consider putting a link to them in the group workspace: [[User:WG-ideas]] You can also create your own user page by clicking on your name in the upper right.

== Concerns Data ==
The Ideas Group has begun the process of surveying occupiers from all over Massachusetts to get answers to the question, "What are the concerns/problems that brought you to the Occupy Movement?" This is a preliminary outline of the data we have collected so far. If you share a concern on the outline, please add an X next to it. If you have a concern not listed on the outline, please add it.
The Ideas Group would like to begin to prioritize these concerns based on your responses so that we can start holding concerns-based open discussions. It is our hope that working groups will form out of these discussions, and that from there we can start to build solutions.

===Government Concerns===
*Tax Reforms
**Progressive Reforms xxxx
*Small vs. Big Government
*Campaign Finance Reform/Get Money Out of Politics xxxxx xxxxx xxx
**Corporate Personhood xx
**Publicly Funded Elections xx
**Lobby Reforms xxx
*Horizontal Participatory Democracy xx
*Criminal Justice/Prison Reforms xx
*Disfunction b/w Branches xx
*American Ideology x
*Military Reforms
**Diplomacy vs War
**Spending xxx
*Infrastructure Spending x
*Social Programs xxxx
*Justice and Equality xxxxx

===Economic Concerns===
*Capitalism xxx
**Hyper-Capitalism/Greed xxx
*Sustainability x
*Privitization xxx
*Wall Street/Financial Regulation xxxxx xxx
**Housing Crisis x
**Debt Crisis
**Bank of America/Too big to Fail xxx
**Criminal Activity/Unethical Behavior xxxxx x
*Unemployment
**Outsourcing
*Wealth Inequality xxxxx xxxxx

===Socialization & Behavioral Concerns===
*Value Based Accounting x
*Violence
*Anti-Oppression xx
*American Exceptionalism xx
*Wasteful Consumer Behavior xx

===Environmental Concerns===
*Air
*Water xx
*Degradation x
*Global Warming/Climate Change xx
*Sustainability x
*Waste x
*Food Supply xx

===Education Concerns===
*K-12
*College x

===Healthcare Concerns===
*Healthcare Reforms xxxx
*Universal xxx

===Workers Rights Concerns===
*Unions xx

== PROPOSAL PASSED at GA 11/29/11 ==

Proposal for the General Assembly at Occupy Boston from the Statement of Purpose Working Group November 29, 2011

===Declaration of Occupation===

We, the people of Occupy Boston, have occupied Dewey Square in the heart of the financial district, in order to express dissent over the state of our political and financial systems. We are practicing a form of horizontal participatory democracy in the shadows of anti-democratic institutions that dominate our government and our lives. Through our occupation, we are creating an exemplar society in which no one's human needs go unmet.

The Occupy Movement has started a nationwide conversation about the realities of economic inequality and the meaning of Constitutional rights. We are committed to living the values of transparency, equality, accountability, awareness, sustainability, and compassion as we struggle against corporate predation, injustice, and oppression. We are actively seeking to include the diverse voices of the 99%. Together, we set a precedent and provide a foothold for people to demand a truer, more horizontal democracy, in which greed has no influence.

Regardless of media spin, police brutality, or sub-zero temperatures, we will continue to peacefully exercise our first amendment rights by occupying, holding general assemblies, and planning for the American Spring. Our goal is a society that prioritizes the needs of all before the profits of the few. We are the 99%.

==developing ideas==
===[[100 great political objectives]]===

===[[Occupy_Boston_Summit_Notes]]===
[[Occupy_Boston_Summit_Notes_-_Overflow_Room]]

== Public Discussion Minutes & Notes ==
=== Friday, 18 November ===

*Went through the new process for GA meetings put forth by the facilitators group. The mock topic was a proposal to add a values statement to the Statement of Purpose.
*Here is the feedback from the procedure:
**Facilitators need to be the ones writing on the whiteboard
**Process needs to keep going and sometimes be changed in order to figure out how to move forward.
**It may be that the best model for GA is not for people to propose a document that should be ratified, rather to propose the discussion of a document.
**Some people were lost during the discussion due to the new nature of the process.
**There is confusion in the new process of what happens after amendments had been made. This seems like a delicate point in the process.
**We still do not have a way for the GA to create a proposal.
**It may be beneficial for the facilitator, in the fly, to guide the synthesis of what GA is saying, and change the process as it needs to happen. This is tricky because the facilitators cannot help being biased. Another way is to have a very polished process that can handle many scenarios, but how to find that process?
**The new method does activate people's minds more - it tapped into the "creative capitol" of the GA better.
**we found that at one point the process did not fit the need of what we needed to do anymore at one point.
**There was a desire from many to keep the procedure fluid and adaptable somehow. Hopefully that fluidity can be written into the process (catch-22?)
**the facilitators need to have and be trusted with an extensive toolbox of process that will allow the fluidity of the discussion.
**It was noted that you are always giving your freedom up to the process, or a facilitator, or the loudest voice in GA. We are picking.

=== Wednesday, 16 November ===

*Announcement/Get the word out about Occupy Declaration: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99_Percent_Declaration http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99_Percent_Declaration]
*Proposal to create an information card for how to discuss the Occupy movement with families on Thanksgiving.  The information card could give suggestions on how to talk about Occupy, but also remind to collect ideas from family members which can then be brought back to the camp for discussion.
*Discussion of possibly wording statements so that they are not as inclusive, by using words like "most of us", etc.  Debated whether this is a good strategy, no position was taken.
*Discussion on the purpose of statements of purpose, and how it can guide its development. Mention that it can act as a guide to how we live responsibly with each other in the camp (internal purpose), and how we may bring people into solidarity with the movement (external), or how it will guide our actions as we move forward (intermal/external).
**Also it is noted that most of the good work that is done within Occupy Boston needs no Statement to happen, and that a multitude of different occupy movements have a wide range of different statement sizes, breadth, meaning, or do not have any statements at all.  No position was taken, however it was consented on that if we did draft a potential proposed Values statement, it might mention the internal and external purposes. (Note: google doc of all Occupy statement's movements here: [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RsPuWV2D8UjB-N5WrmxZM7QxGJIABHON-ya3YtGawx0/edit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RsPuWV2D8UjB-N5WrmxZM7QxGJIABHON-ya3YtGawx0/edit])
*Discussion of what the proposal that we will raise at the facilitation testing of the new GA process on Friday.  We decided that it will be to propose that a values statement to be added to the Statement of Purpose.
*Discussion of what values to start off the discussion will be (Tess has the list, i forgot to write it down)
*Decision to set the date of the GA for the real proposal is Tuesday Nov 22.
*Decision to table the discussion of the whitehouse.gov/petition discussion of what petition to create until Sunday's Ideas meeting.
*Decision for a topic of discussion for an Ideas Public Discussion sometime after the Summit:
*Discussion of all of the Authors that have drafted Mission Statements, Declarations of Occupation, etc. to offer their ideas to the public and garner feedback in a discussion format.

=== Friday, 11 November ===

VALUES that came out of the meeting:

*knowledge
**education
**awareness
**information
**transparency
*unity
*change x2
*respect
**diversity
*making "freedom" bigger
*non-violence x2
*peaceful
*consensus
*horizontal democracy x2
*solidarity
*equality
*fairness
*concern for others x2
*freedom
*positivity
*generosity
*compassion
*sustainability
*honesty
*unity
*cooperation
*mutual aid
*resistance to oppresion
*kindness
*empathy
*dialogue
*civility

<br/>SENTENCES that came out of the meeting:

*In an effort to create a more just and sustainable socitey, we will strive to embody the values of: inclusivity, honesty, non-violence, comapssion, cooperation, and ecological integrity.
*We seek to foster a cuture of inclusivity, a practice of sustainability, and a spirit of compassion.
*We beleive that in working towards change, we need to pread knowledge while maintainin a unity based on respect

[[File:Ideas values raw.png|300x358px|RTENOTITLE]]\

Original word cloud that was used to start the evening's discussion (word coud data collected from surveying the camp to answer the question "What values do we, as Occupy Boston, all share?"

<br/>see all [[Ideas working group values data]].

=== Friday, November 4 ===

Facilitator: Marty Facilitator: Forest Minutes: Mallory Stack Taker: None

The discussion followed this format:

*Introduction (10 minutes)
*Breakout Group Formation (individuals on stack) (20 minutes)
*Group Discussions (45 minutes)
*Group Stack/Presentations (10 minutes per group x 3 groups = 30 minutes)
*Conclusion/Summary

Breakout groups were formed after an opening discussion about what people wanted to talk about. The three breakout groups were:

*Local Issues
*Occupy as Paradigm Shift
*Functional divisions in the movement and occupy boston (i.e. offline/online, onsite/offsite)

Some noted questions/comments that resulted at the end of discussion:

*How does occupy reach into rural areas? Also, what about occupy gardens/farms?
*How to include people whose time is filled with work obligations (i.e. how to occupy time the same way we are currently occupying space)?
*"laboratory space" to describe our ideas discussions.

Two functional issues with discussion format identified by facilitator (Forest) were:

*Breakout groups for the most part lacked facilitation, stack taker, timekeepers, or minute recorders. In the future groups should ideally follow an established process for discussion.

*People who tended to agree seemed to clump together in the smaller groups. Maybe experimenting with starting groups with members randomly assigned and *then* applying law of two feet would be worthwhile? Also, instructing group initiators to make sure their group has someone taking stack?

Ideas

2011-12-17T15:01:19Z

Stewart76: /* Concerns Data */

== Working Group Meeting Times ==

Sundays: Immediately following GA, meet in front of the stage we will pick a location from there.
Wednesdays: 6PM at the BU Law Building, Room 620

Cooming Soon: The ideas working group will be holding topic-focused open political discussions at 7pm on non-GA nights - Monday, Wednesday, and possibly Friday. We need indoor space for these discussions! If you know of any, let us know by emailing ideas@lists.occupyboston.org

*[[Ideas working group meeting notes]]

== Upcoming Public Discussions ==

*Held in the GA area, unless otherwise specified
*Topics set based on suggestions collected online [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Vote_here&action=edit vote here] and on the whiteboard outside Media tent

Want to set the agenda for future Public Discussions? [[Vote here]]

We want your input! Click here: [[Click here!|Subpage]] to fill out the "How Values Become Action" table.  You do need to log in/register. After clicking on "subpage" click "edit" in the upper right corner and then when you get the dialogue box make sure  you hit "rich text" so you're not dealing with code. 

Thanks!

[[Join the Ideas email list]] - email your ideas, join the online conversation, and view the archive of discussions

[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin&type=signup&returnto=Main_Page Join the wiki]. Have some ideas you are developing? Consider putting a link to them in the group workspace: [[User:WG-ideas]] You can also create your own user page by clicking on your name in the upper right.

== Concerns Data ==
The Ideas Group has begun the process of surveying occupiers from all over Massachusetts to get answers to the question, "What are the concerns/problems that brought you to the Occupy Movement?" This is a preliminary outline of the data we have collected so far. If you share a concern on the outline, please add an X next to it. If you have a concern not listed on the outline, please add it.
The Ideas Group would like to begin to prioritize these concerns based on your responses so that we can start holding concerns-based open discussions. It is our hope that working groups will form out of these discussions, and that from there we can start to build solutions.

===Government Concerns===
*Tax Reforms
**Progressive Reforms xxxx
*Small vs. Big Government
*Campaign Finance Reform/Get Money Out of Politics xxxxx xxxxx xxx
**Corporate Personhood xx
**Publicly Funded Elections xx
**Lobby Reforms xxx
*Horizontal Participatory Democracy xx
*Criminal Justice/Prison Reforms xx
*Disfunction b/w Branches xx
*American Ideology x
*Military Reforms
**Diplomacy vs War
**Spending xxx
*Infrastructure Spending x
*Social Programs xxxx
*Justice and Equality xxxxx

===Economic Concerns===
*Capitalism xxx
**Hyper-Capitalism/Greed xxx
*Sustainability x
*Privitization xxx
*Wall Street/Financial Regulation xxxxx xxx
**Housing Crisis x
**Debt Crisis
**Bank of America/Too big to Fail xxx
**Criminal Activity/Unethical Behavior xxxxx x
*Unemployment
**Outsourcing
*Wealth Inequality xxxxx xxxxx

===Socialization & Behavioral Concerns===
*Value Based Accounting x
*Violence
*Anti-Oppression xx
*American Exceptionalism xx
*Wasteful Consumer Behavior xx

===Environmental Concerns===
*Air
*Water xx
*Degradation x
*Global Warming/Climate Change xx
*Sustainability x
*Waste x
*Food Supply xx

===Education Concerns===
*K-12
*College x

===Healthcare Concerns===
*Healthcare Reforms xxxx
*Universal xxx

===Workers Rights Concerns===
*Unions xx

*

== PROPOSAL PASSED at GA 11/29/11 ==

Proposal for the General Assembly at Occupy Boston from the Statement of Purpose Working Group November 29, 2011

===Declaration of Occupation===

We, the people of Occupy Boston, have occupied Dewey Square in the heart of the financial district, in order to express dissent over the state of our political and financial systems. We are practicing a form of horizontal participatory democracy in the shadows of anti-democratic institutions that dominate our government and our lives. Through our occupation, we are creating an exemplar society in which no one's human needs go unmet.

The Occupy Movement has started a nationwide conversation about the realities of economic inequality and the meaning of Constitutional rights. We are committed to living the values of transparency, equality, accountability, awareness, sustainability, and compassion as we struggle against corporate predation, injustice, and oppression. We are actively seeking to include the diverse voices of the 99%. Together, we set a precedent and provide a foothold for people to demand a truer, more horizontal democracy, in which greed has no influence.

Regardless of media spin, police brutality, or sub-zero temperatures, we will continue to peacefully exercise our first amendment rights by occupying, holding general assemblies, and planning for the American Spring. Our goal is a society that prioritizes the needs of all before the profits of the few. We are the 99%.

==developing ideas==
===[[100 great political objectives]]===

===[[Occupy_Boston_Summit_Notes]]===
[[Occupy_Boston_Summit_Notes_-_Overflow_Room]]

== Public Discussion Minutes & Notes ==
=== Friday, 18 November ===

*Went through the new process for GA meetings put forth by the facilitators group. The mock topic was a proposal to add a values statement to the Statement of Purpose.
*Here is the feedback from the procedure:
**Facilitators need to be the ones writing on the whiteboard
**Process needs to keep going and sometimes be changed in order to figure out how to move forward.
**It may be that the best model for GA is not for people to propose a document that should be ratified, rather to propose the discussion of a document.
**Some people were lost during the discussion due to the new nature of the process.
**There is confusion in the new process of what happens after amendments had been made. This seems like a delicate point in the process.
**We still do not have a way for the GA to create a proposal.
**It may be beneficial for the facilitator, in the fly, to guide the synthesis of what GA is saying, and change the process as it needs to happen. This is tricky because the facilitators cannot help being biased. Another way is to have a very polished process that can handle many scenarios, but how to find that process?
**The new method does activate people's minds more - it tapped into the "creative capitol" of the GA better.
**we found that at one point the process did not fit the need of what we needed to do anymore at one point.
**There was a desire from many to keep the procedure fluid and adaptable somehow. Hopefully that fluidity can be written into the process (catch-22?)
**the facilitators need to have and be trusted with an extensive toolbox of process that will allow the fluidity of the discussion.
**It was noted that you are always giving your freedom up to the process, or a facilitator, or the loudest voice in GA. We are picking.

=== Wednesday, 16 November ===

*Announcement/Get the word out about Occupy Declaration: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99_Percent_Declaration http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99_Percent_Declaration]
*Proposal to create an information card for how to discuss the Occupy movement with families on Thanksgiving.  The information card could give suggestions on how to talk about Occupy, but also remind to collect ideas from family members which can then be brought back to the camp for discussion.
*Discussion of possibly wording statements so that they are not as inclusive, by using words like "most of us", etc.  Debated whether this is a good strategy, no position was taken.
*Discussion on the purpose of statements of purpose, and how it can guide its development. Mention that it can act as a guide to how we live responsibly with each other in the camp (internal purpose), and how we may bring people into solidarity with the movement (external), or how it will guide our actions as we move forward (intermal/external).
**Also it is noted that most of the good work that is done within Occupy Boston needs no Statement to happen, and that a multitude of different occupy movements have a wide range of different statement sizes, breadth, meaning, or do not have any statements at all.  No position was taken, however it was consented on that if we did draft a potential proposed Values statement, it might mention the internal and external purposes. (Note: google doc of all Occupy statement's movements here: [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RsPuWV2D8UjB-N5WrmxZM7QxGJIABHON-ya3YtGawx0/edit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RsPuWV2D8UjB-N5WrmxZM7QxGJIABHON-ya3YtGawx0/edit])
*Discussion of what the proposal that we will raise at the facilitation testing of the new GA process on Friday.  We decided that it will be to propose that a values statement to be added to the Statement of Purpose.
*Discussion of what values to start off the discussion will be (Tess has the list, i forgot to write it down)
*Decision to set the date of the GA for the real proposal is Tuesday Nov 22.
*Decision to table the discussion of the whitehouse.gov/petition discussion of what petition to create until Sunday's Ideas meeting.
*Decision for a topic of discussion for an Ideas Public Discussion sometime after the Summit:
*Discussion of all of the Authors that have drafted Mission Statements, Declarations of Occupation, etc. to offer their ideas to the public and garner feedback in a discussion format.

=== Friday, 11 November ===

VALUES that came out of the meeting:

*knowledge
**education
**awareness
**information
**transparency
*unity
*change x2
*respect
**diversity
*making "freedom" bigger
*non-violence x2
*peaceful
*consensus
*horizontal democracy x2
*solidarity
*equality
*fairness
*concern for others x2
*freedom
*positivity
*generosity
*compassion
*sustainability
*honesty
*unity
*cooperation
*mutual aid
*resistance to oppresion
*kindness
*empathy
*dialogue
*civility

<br/>SENTENCES that came out of the meeting:

*In an effort to create a more just and sustainable socitey, we will strive to embody the values of: inclusivity, honesty, non-violence, comapssion, cooperation, and ecological integrity.
*We seek to foster a cuture of inclusivity, a practice of sustainability, and a spirit of compassion.
*We beleive that in working towards change, we need to pread knowledge while maintainin a unity based on respect

[[File:Ideas values raw.png|300x358px|RTENOTITLE]]\

Original word cloud that was used to start the evening's discussion (word coud data collected from surveying the camp to answer the question "What values do we, as Occupy Boston, all share?"

<br/>see all [[Ideas working group values data]].

=== Friday, November 4 ===

Facilitator: Marty Facilitator: Forest Minutes: Mallory Stack Taker: None

The discussion followed this format:

*Introduction (10 minutes)
*Breakout Group Formation (individuals on stack) (20 minutes)
*Group Discussions (45 minutes)
*Group Stack/Presentations (10 minutes per group x 3 groups = 30 minutes)
*Conclusion/Summary

Breakout groups were formed after an opening discussion about what people wanted to talk about. The three breakout groups were:

*Local Issues
*Occupy as Paradigm Shift
*Functional divisions in the movement and occupy boston (i.e. offline/online, onsite/offsite)

Some noted questions/comments that resulted at the end of discussion:

*How does occupy reach into rural areas? Also, what about occupy gardens/farms?
*How to include people whose time is filled with work obligations (i.e. how to occupy time the same way we are currently occupying space)?
*"laboratory space" to describe our ideas discussions.

Two functional issues with discussion format identified by facilitator (Forest) were:

*Breakout groups for the most part lacked facilitation, stack taker, timekeepers, or minute recorders. In the future groups should ideally follow an established process for discussion.

*People who tended to agree seemed to clump together in the smaller groups. Maybe experimenting with starting groups with members randomly assigned and *then* applying law of two feet would be worthwhile? Also, instructing group initiators to make sure their group has someone taking stack?

Ideas

2011-12-17T14:45:17Z

Stewart76:

== Working Group Meeting Times ==

Sundays: Immediately following GA, meet in front of the stage we will pick a location from there.
Wednesdays: 6PM at the BU Law Building, Room 620

Cooming Soon: The ideas working group will be holding topic-focused open political discussions at 7pm on non-GA nights - Monday, Wednesday, and possibly Friday. We need indoor space for these discussions! If you know of any, let us know by emailing ideas@lists.occupyboston.org

*[[Ideas working group meeting notes]]

== Upcoming Public Discussions ==

*Held in the GA area, unless otherwise specified
*Topics set based on suggestions collected online [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Vote_here&action=edit vote here] and on the whiteboard outside Media tent

Want to set the agenda for future Public Discussions? [[Vote here]]

We want your input! Click here: [[Click here!|Subpage]] to fill out the "How Values Become Action" table.  You do need to log in/register. After clicking on "subpage" click "edit" in the upper right corner and then when you get the dialogue box make sure  you hit "rich text" so you're not dealing with code. 

Thanks!

[[Join the Ideas email list]] - email your ideas, join the online conversation, and view the archive of discussions

[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin&type=signup&returnto=Main_Page Join the wiki]. Have some ideas you are developing? Consider putting a link to them in the group workspace: [[User:WG-ideas]] You can also create your own user page by clicking on your name in the upper right.

== Concerns Data ==
The Ideas Group has begun the process of surveying occupiers from all over Massachusetts to get answers to the question, "What are the concerns/problems that brought you to the Occupy Movement?" This is a preliminary outline of the data we have collected so far. If you share a concern on the outline, please add an X next to it. If you have a concern not listed on the outline, please add it.

Government Concerns
*Tax Reforms
**Progressive Reforms xxxx
*Small vs. Big Government
*Campaign Finance Reform/Get Money Out of Politics xxxxx xxxxx xxx
**Corporate Personhood xx
**Publicly Funded Elections xx
**Lobby Reforms xxx
*Horizontal Participatory Democracy xx
*Criminal Justice/Prison Reforms xx
*Disfunction b/w Branches xx
*American Ideology x
*Military Reforms
**Diplomacy vs War
**Spending xxx
*Infrastructure Spending x

Economic Concerns
*Capitalism xxx
**Hyper-Capitalism/Greed xxx
*Sustainability x
*Privitization xxx
*Wall Street/Financial Regulation xxxxx xxx
**Housing Crisis x
**Debt Crisis
**Bank of America/Too big to Fail xxx
**Criminal Activity/Unethical Behavior xxxxx x
*Unemployment
**Outsourcing

== PROPOSAL PASSED at GA 11/29/11 ==

Proposal for the General Assembly at Occupy Boston from the Statement of Purpose Working Group November 29, 2011

===Declaration of Occupation===

We, the people of Occupy Boston, have occupied Dewey Square in the heart of the financial district, in order to express dissent over the state of our political and financial systems. We are practicing a form of horizontal participatory democracy in the shadows of anti-democratic institutions that dominate our government and our lives. Through our occupation, we are creating an exemplar society in which no one's human needs go unmet.

The Occupy Movement has started a nationwide conversation about the realities of economic inequality and the meaning of Constitutional rights. We are committed to living the values of transparency, equality, accountability, awareness, sustainability, and compassion as we struggle against corporate predation, injustice, and oppression. We are actively seeking to include the diverse voices of the 99%. Together, we set a precedent and provide a foothold for people to demand a truer, more horizontal democracy, in which greed has no influence.

Regardless of media spin, police brutality, or sub-zero temperatures, we will continue to peacefully exercise our first amendment rights by occupying, holding general assemblies, and planning for the American Spring. Our goal is a society that prioritizes the needs of all before the profits of the few. We are the 99%.

==developing ideas==
===[[100 great political objectives]]===

===[[Occupy_Boston_Summit_Notes]]===
[[Occupy_Boston_Summit_Notes_-_Overflow_Room]]

== Public Discussion Minutes & Notes ==
=== Friday, 18 November ===

*Went through the new process for GA meetings put forth by the facilitators group. The mock topic was a proposal to add a values statement to the Statement of Purpose.
*Here is the feedback from the procedure:
**Facilitators need to be the ones writing on the whiteboard
**Process needs to keep going and sometimes be changed in order to figure out how to move forward.
**It may be that the best model for GA is not for people to propose a document that should be ratified, rather to propose the discussion of a document.
**Some people were lost during the discussion due to the new nature of the process.
**There is confusion in the new process of what happens after amendments had been made. This seems like a delicate point in the process.
**We still do not have a way for the GA to create a proposal.
**It may be beneficial for the facilitator, in the fly, to guide the synthesis of what GA is saying, and change the process as it needs to happen. This is tricky because the facilitators cannot help being biased. Another way is to have a very polished process that can handle many scenarios, but how to find that process?
**The new method does activate people's minds more - it tapped into the "creative capitol" of the GA better.
**we found that at one point the process did not fit the need of what we needed to do anymore at one point.
**There was a desire from many to keep the procedure fluid and adaptable somehow. Hopefully that fluidity can be written into the process (catch-22?)
**the facilitators need to have and be trusted with an extensive toolbox of process that will allow the fluidity of the discussion.
**It was noted that you are always giving your freedom up to the process, or a facilitator, or the loudest voice in GA. We are picking.

=== Wednesday, 16 November ===

*Announcement/Get the word out about Occupy Declaration: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99_Percent_Declaration http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99_Percent_Declaration]
*Proposal to create an information card for how to discuss the Occupy movement with families on Thanksgiving.  The information card could give suggestions on how to talk about Occupy, but also remind to collect ideas from family members which can then be brought back to the camp for discussion.
*Discussion of possibly wording statements so that they are not as inclusive, by using words like "most of us", etc.  Debated whether this is a good strategy, no position was taken.
*Discussion on the purpose of statements of purpose, and how it can guide its development. Mention that it can act as a guide to how we live responsibly with each other in the camp (internal purpose), and how we may bring people into solidarity with the movement (external), or how it will guide our actions as we move forward (intermal/external).
**Also it is noted that most of the good work that is done within Occupy Boston needs no Statement to happen, and that a multitude of different occupy movements have a wide range of different statement sizes, breadth, meaning, or do not have any statements at all.  No position was taken, however it was consented on that if we did draft a potential proposed Values statement, it might mention the internal and external purposes. (Note: google doc of all Occupy statement's movements here: [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RsPuWV2D8UjB-N5WrmxZM7QxGJIABHON-ya3YtGawx0/edit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RsPuWV2D8UjB-N5WrmxZM7QxGJIABHON-ya3YtGawx0/edit])
*Discussion of what the proposal that we will raise at the facilitation testing of the new GA process on Friday.  We decided that it will be to propose that a values statement to be added to the Statement of Purpose.
*Discussion of what values to start off the discussion will be (Tess has the list, i forgot to write it down)
*Decision to set the date of the GA for the real proposal is Tuesday Nov 22.
*Decision to table the discussion of the whitehouse.gov/petition discussion of what petition to create until Sunday's Ideas meeting.
*Decision for a topic of discussion for an Ideas Public Discussion sometime after the Summit:
*Discussion of all of the Authors that have drafted Mission Statements, Declarations of Occupation, etc. to offer their ideas to the public and garner feedback in a discussion format.

=== Friday, 11 November ===

VALUES that came out of the meeting:

*knowledge
**education
**awareness
**information
**transparency
*unity
*change x2
*respect
**diversity
*making "freedom" bigger
*non-violence x2
*peaceful
*consensus
*horizontal democracy x2
*solidarity
*equality
*fairness
*concern for others x2
*freedom
*positivity
*generosity
*compassion
*sustainability
*honesty
*unity
*cooperation
*mutual aid
*resistance to oppresion
*kindness
*empathy
*dialogue
*civility

<br/>SENTENCES that came out of the meeting:

*In an effort to create a more just and sustainable socitey, we will strive to embody the values of: inclusivity, honesty, non-violence, comapssion, cooperation, and ecological integrity.
*We seek to foster a cuture of inclusivity, a practice of sustainability, and a spirit of compassion.
*We beleive that in working towards change, we need to pread knowledge while maintainin a unity based on respect

[[File:Ideas values raw.png|300x358px|RTENOTITLE]]\

Original word cloud that was used to start the evening's discussion (word coud data collected from surveying the camp to answer the question "What values do we, as Occupy Boston, all share?"

<br/>see all [[Ideas working group values data]].

=== Friday, November 4 ===

Facilitator: Marty Facilitator: Forest Minutes: Mallory Stack Taker: None

The discussion followed this format:

*Introduction (10 minutes)
*Breakout Group Formation (individuals on stack) (20 minutes)
*Group Discussions (45 minutes)
*Group Stack/Presentations (10 minutes per group x 3 groups = 30 minutes)
*Conclusion/Summary

Breakout groups were formed after an opening discussion about what people wanted to talk about. The three breakout groups were:

*Local Issues
*Occupy as Paradigm Shift
*Functional divisions in the movement and occupy boston (i.e. offline/online, onsite/offsite)

Some noted questions/comments that resulted at the end of discussion:

*How does occupy reach into rural areas? Also, what about occupy gardens/farms?
*How to include people whose time is filled with work obligations (i.e. how to occupy time the same way we are currently occupying space)?
*"laboratory space" to describe our ideas discussions.

Two functional issues with discussion format identified by facilitator (Forest) were:

*Breakout groups for the most part lacked facilitation, stack taker, timekeepers, or minute recorders. In the future groups should ideally follow an established process for discussion.

*People who tended to agree seemed to clump together in the smaller groups. Maybe experimenting with starting groups with members randomly assigned and *then* applying law of two feet would be worthwhile? Also, instructing group initiators to make sure their group has someone taking stack?

Ideas

2011-12-15T17:22:51Z

Stewart76: /* Working Group Meeting Times */

== Working Group Meeting Times ==

Sundays: Immediately following GA, meet in front of the stage we will pick a location from there.
Wednesdays: 6PM at the BU Law Building, Room 620

Cooming Soon: The ideas working group will be holding topic-focused open political discussions at 7pm on non-GA nights - Monday, Wednesday, and possibly Friday. We need indoor space for these discussions! If you know of any, let us know by emailing ideas@lists.occupyboston.org

*[[Ideas working group meeting notes]]

== Upcoming Public Discussions ==

*Held in the GA area, unless otherwise specified
*Topics set based on suggestions collected online [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Vote_here&action=edit vote here] and on the whiteboard outside Media tent

Want to set the agenda for future Public Discussions? [[Vote here]]

We want your input! Click here: [[Click here!|Subpage]] to fill out the "How Values Become Action" table.  You do need to log in/register. After clicking on "subpage" click "edit" in the upper right corner and then when you get the dialogue box make sure  you hit "rich text" so you're not dealing with code. 

Thanks!

[[Join the Ideas email list]] - email your ideas, join the online conversation, and view the archive of discussions

[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin&type=signup&returnto=Main_Page Join the wiki]. Have some ideas you are developing? Consider putting a link to them in the group workspace: [[User:WG-ideas]] You can also create your own user page by clicking on your name in the upper right.

== PROPOSAL PASSED at GA 11/29/11 ==

Proposal for the General Assembly at Occupy Boston from the Statement of Purpose Working Group November 29, 2011

===Declaration of Occupation===

We, the people of Occupy Boston, have occupied Dewey Square in the heart of the financial district, in order to express dissent over the state of our political and financial systems. We are practicing a form of horizontal participatory democracy in the shadows of anti-democratic institutions that dominate our government and our lives. Through our occupation, we are creating an exemplar society in which no one's human needs go unmet.

The Occupy Movement has started a nationwide conversation about the realities of economic inequality and the meaning of Constitutional rights. We are committed to living the values of transparency, equality, accountability, awareness, sustainability, and compassion as we struggle against corporate predation, injustice, and oppression. We are actively seeking to include the diverse voices of the 99%. Together, we set a precedent and provide a foothold for people to demand a truer, more horizontal democracy, in which greed has no influence.

Regardless of media spin, police brutality, or sub-zero temperatures, we will continue to peacefully exercise our first amendment rights by occupying, holding general assemblies, and planning for the American Spring. Our goal is a society that prioritizes the needs of all before the profits of the few. We are the 99%.

==developing ideas==
===[[100 great political objectives]]===

===[[Occupy_Boston_Summit_Notes]]===
[[Occupy_Boston_Summit_Notes_-_Overflow_Room]]

== Public Discussion Minutes & Notes ==
=== Friday, 18 November ===

*Went through the new process for GA meetings put forth by the facilitators group. The mock topic was a proposal to add a values statement to the Statement of Purpose.
*Here is the feedback from the procedure:
**Facilitators need to be the ones writing on the whiteboard
**Process needs to keep going and sometimes be changed in order to figure out how to move forward.
**It may be that the best model for GA is not for people to propose a document that should be ratified, rather to propose the discussion of a document.
**Some people were lost during the discussion due to the new nature of the process.
**There is confusion in the new process of what happens after amendments had been made. This seems like a delicate point in the process.
**We still do not have a way for the GA to create a proposal.
**It may be beneficial for the facilitator, in the fly, to guide the synthesis of what GA is saying, and change the process as it needs to happen. This is tricky because the facilitators cannot help being biased. Another way is to have a very polished process that can handle many scenarios, but how to find that process?
**The new method does activate people's minds more - it tapped into the "creative capitol" of the GA better.
**we found that at one point the process did not fit the need of what we needed to do anymore at one point.
**There was a desire from many to keep the procedure fluid and adaptable somehow. Hopefully that fluidity can be written into the process (catch-22?)
**the facilitators need to have and be trusted with an extensive toolbox of process that will allow the fluidity of the discussion.
**It was noted that you are always giving your freedom up to the process, or a facilitator, or the loudest voice in GA. We are picking.

=== Wednesday, 16 November ===

*Announcement/Get the word out about Occupy Declaration: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99_Percent_Declaration http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99_Percent_Declaration]
*Proposal to create an information card for how to discuss the Occupy movement with families on Thanksgiving.  The information card could give suggestions on how to talk about Occupy, but also remind to collect ideas from family members which can then be brought back to the camp for discussion.
*Discussion of possibly wording statements so that they are not as inclusive, by using words like "most of us", etc.  Debated whether this is a good strategy, no position was taken.
*Discussion on the purpose of statements of purpose, and how it can guide its development. Mention that it can act as a guide to how we live responsibly with each other in the camp (internal purpose), and how we may bring people into solidarity with the movement (external), or how it will guide our actions as we move forward (intermal/external).
**Also it is noted that most of the good work that is done within Occupy Boston needs no Statement to happen, and that a multitude of different occupy movements have a wide range of different statement sizes, breadth, meaning, or do not have any statements at all.  No position was taken, however it was consented on that if we did draft a potential proposed Values statement, it might mention the internal and external purposes. (Note: google doc of all Occupy statement's movements here: [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RsPuWV2D8UjB-N5WrmxZM7QxGJIABHON-ya3YtGawx0/edit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RsPuWV2D8UjB-N5WrmxZM7QxGJIABHON-ya3YtGawx0/edit])
*Discussion of what the proposal that we will raise at the facilitation testing of the new GA process on Friday.  We decided that it will be to propose that a values statement to be added to the Statement of Purpose.
*Discussion of what values to start off the discussion will be (Tess has the list, i forgot to write it down)
*Decision to set the date of the GA for the real proposal is Tuesday Nov 22.
*Decision to table the discussion of the whitehouse.gov/petition discussion of what petition to create until Sunday's Ideas meeting.
*Decision for a topic of discussion for an Ideas Public Discussion sometime after the Summit:
*Discussion of all of the Authors that have drafted Mission Statements, Declarations of Occupation, etc. to offer their ideas to the public and garner feedback in a discussion format.

=== Friday, 11 November ===

VALUES that came out of the meeting:

*knowledge
**education
**awareness
**information
**transparency
*unity
*change x2
*respect
**diversity
*making "freedom" bigger
*non-violence x2
*peaceful
*consensus
*horizontal democracy x2
*solidarity
*equality
*fairness
*concern for others x2
*freedom
*positivity
*generosity
*compassion
*sustainability
*honesty
*unity
*cooperation
*mutual aid
*resistance to oppresion
*kindness
*empathy
*dialogue
*civility

<br/>SENTENCES that came out of the meeting:

*In an effort to create a more just and sustainable socitey, we will strive to embody the values of: inclusivity, honesty, non-violence, comapssion, cooperation, and ecological integrity.
*We seek to foster a cuture of inclusivity, a practice of sustainability, and a spirit of compassion.
*We beleive that in working towards change, we need to pread knowledge while maintainin a unity based on respect

[[File:Ideas values raw.png|300x358px|RTENOTITLE]]\

Original word cloud that was used to start the evening's discussion (word coud data collected from surveying the camp to answer the question "What values do we, as Occupy Boston, all share?"

<br/>see all [[Ideas working group values data]].

=== Friday, November 4 ===

Facilitator: Marty Facilitator: Forest Minutes: Mallory Stack Taker: None

The discussion followed this format:

*Introduction (10 minutes)
*Breakout Group Formation (individuals on stack) (20 minutes)
*Group Discussions (45 minutes)
*Group Stack/Presentations (10 minutes per group x 3 groups = 30 minutes)
*Conclusion/Summary

Breakout groups were formed after an opening discussion about what people wanted to talk about. The three breakout groups were:

*Local Issues
*Occupy as Paradigm Shift
*Functional divisions in the movement and occupy boston (i.e. offline/online, onsite/offsite)

Some noted questions/comments that resulted at the end of discussion:

*How does occupy reach into rural areas? Also, what about occupy gardens/farms?
*How to include people whose time is filled with work obligations (i.e. how to occupy time the same way we are currently occupying space)?
*"laboratory space" to describe our ideas discussions.

Two functional issues with discussion format identified by facilitator (Forest) were:

*Breakout groups for the most part lacked facilitation, stack taker, timekeepers, or minute recorders. In the future groups should ideally follow an established process for discussion.

*People who tended to agree seemed to clump together in the smaller groups. Maybe experimenting with starting groups with members randomly assigned and *then* applying law of two feet would be worthwhile? Also, instructing group initiators to make sure their group has someone taking stack?

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)

2011-12-15T17:16:04Z

Stewart76: /* Contact for Working Group "Citizens United to End Political Bribery" */

== Contact for Working Group "Citizens United to End Political Bribery" ==
<p>Honi Sanders: [sanders6000@gmail.com]
</p><p>You can sign up to receive emails at [https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited]
</p><p>Calendar of Events<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/campaignfinancereformus/calendar-of-events?pli=1">
</p><p> 
Citizens United to End Political Bribery (CUEPB) is a Working Group formed to pursue goals related to getting corporate money out of politics.  We will focus on realistic actions in Massachusetts, but will also extend our efforts to nationwide politics when we can.  This wiki page and its subsidiary pages will be our place to collect information and discuss ideas before bringing proposals to Occupy Boston General Assembly.  Everything here should be considered a draft, unless conspicuously labeled otherwise.  To participate, come to one of our scheduled meetings or comment on the discussion tab for a page.  You can also edit a page, but we'd like to know who's involved, so please introduce yourself somewhere in some fashion.
</p>
<h2> Meetings:<br /> </h2>
<p>Next Meeting will be: Thursday Dec. 15 at 5:00PM at the Clear Conscience Cafe, which is located at 581 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge. If you're interested, comment here or sign up and inquire on the listserve link shown above.
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 30 BAAC Meeting">Notes from Nov. 30 BAAC Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 22 CUEPB Meeting">Notes from Nov. 22 CUEPB Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 16 CUEPB Meeting">Notes from Nov. 16 CUEPB Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29">Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Minutes from Nov. 1">Minutes from Nov. 1</a>
</p><p> 
</p>

<h2> Lecture & Open Discussion Series </h2>
Saturday Dec. 10 3:00PM <br>
Donna Palermino: "Pay to Play: A History of Citizens United and How to Get Corporate Money out of Politics" <br>
Donna is a Civil Liberties and Free Speech Professor at Boston University and Suffolk University. This will be a lecture on the history of Supreme Court ruling and how this decision has impacted elections.

Sunday Dec. 11 3:30PM <br>
Jules Levine: "Public Financing of Election Campaigns -- A Way Station; Fair, Just and Good Government--Our Destination" <br>
Jules is a practicing Law Professor at Boston University. He was actively involved in the MA Public Financing System brought to the State House in the 90's, and continues to promote the public financing of elections in Massachusetts. This lecture will provide a brief history of the reforms in MA, and also touch on the benefits and cost-savings this system would provide.

<h2> Next Steps Agreed on: </h2>
<p>Work with Jenn on a <a _fcknotitle="true" href="WG/Strategies/CUEPB/1% Monopoly">WG/Strategies/CUEPB/1% Monopoly</a> street theatre event in Boston for Friday, January 20 to publicize the anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. FEC. This demonstration will be the Boston activity for the one-day demonstration at federal courthouses across the country, including the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. The nationwide event is organized by Move To Amend (see link at bottom of page under "Other Groups." The CUEPB Working Group supports the Boston effort and will prepare a proposal to GA endorsing this event once more details are determined.
</p><p>Analyze and discuss pending legislation on the wiki in order to decide what proposed state and/or federal legislation we support. Edit the <a _fcknotitle="true" href="Campaign Finance Legislation">Campaign Finance Legislation</a> page to add links, summarize what's in a link and/or discuss your opinions about proposed bills. We will also draw on knowledge from other citizen action groups to get up to speed quickly on the campaign reform options.
</p><p>Build collaboration with other local groups, listed below on this page, who are working to change campaign funding.
</p><p>Continue to gather interested people - People are invited to participate here and/or email sandersh6000@gmail.com to identify themselves as part of this Working Group.
</p><p><br />
</p>
<h3> Other Ideas Not Endorsed in a Meeting: </h3>
<p>Prepare a proposal to GA endorsing <a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Public Citizen's</a> action on the anniversary of Citizens United (January 21, 2012). Occupy the Corporations will be an action on Saturday, January 21, when people either occupy or hold an event outside of a corporate target – primarily at Bank of America or British Petroleum locations. Activists there will make a citizen arrest of the corporation (e.g., a sign or other non-human stand-in) for infringing upon our democracy. Those who wish to can then march to their city or town hall and ask their elected officials to support them in calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.
</p>
<h2> Sub-topics:  </h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/SPP_End_Corporate_Personhood">End Corporate Personhood</a>
</li></ul>
<p>  
</p>
<h3> Business Card Ideas </h3>
<p><b>Front</b>: <br />
[slogan] <br />
learn more at <br />
www.campaignfinancereform.us <br />
[contact info] <br />
</p><p><b>Back</b>: informative text explaining the movement. <br />
</p><p><b>Version 1: <br /></b>
Many legislators spend over half their time raising money for their next campaign. With the recent Citizens United ruling by the Supreme Court, corporations can now spend unlimited and unregulated amounts of money on elections. The tremendous amount of time and money that goes into fundraising warps our government's ability to listen to the people. Join us in creating constitutional amendments and new laws to take the money out of politics!
</p><p><b>Version 2: </b> (votes for: Andy, Susi, Nina)<br />
Corporate money floods the election process without limits or meaningful regulations. Many lawmakers spend over half their time fundraising for the next election and listen more to money than to us.
</p><p>Join us in creating new laws to take the money out of politics!
</p><p><br />
<b>Slogan ideas</b> <br />
</p>
<ul><li> Reclaiming our democracy (votes for: Andy, Susi)
</li><li> Taking back congress from the 1%
</li><li> End corporate personhood
</li><li> End institutionalized bribery
</li></ul>
<p><b>Contact info:</b> what should we put here? I have fixcitizensunited@gmail.com, but at least for the moment, I'm the only one that reads it. That may not be ideal.
</p>
<h2> Background Information: </h2>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion">Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion</a></h4>
<p>The minority dissenting opinion quoted at this link gives arguments against the Supreme Court's majority opinion. After a summary, the opinion continues (not quoted here,) describing in detail the laws and rulings related to corporate personhood.
</p><p>Under U.S. law, a corporation is a "corporate veil," protecting individuals inside a company from being prosecuted for the actions of the business. In 1886 the U.S. Supreme Court decided that corporations are entitled to many rights accorded to citizens, in its decision of <i>Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Rail Road Co.</i>
</p><p>In 1907 Congress passed the Tillman Act, prohibiting corporations from donating money directly to national political campaigns. This still holds, but in January 2010 the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 (in <i>Citizens United v. FEC</i>) that corporations can spend unlimited amounts on political advertisements as long as they don't directly coordinate that spending with an actual candidate.
</p><p>The <i>Citizens United v. FEC</i> decision invalidated protections that had existed in Massachusetts General Law, according to a March, 2010 ruling of the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Many bills are now being introduced in Massachusetts and at the federal level to counteract the wide effects of last year's Supreme Court decision by restricting corporate money from influencing politics.
</p>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Campaign Finance Legislation">Campaign Finance Legislation</a> (passed and pending)</h4>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Politicians and Candidates">Politicians and Candidates</a></h4>
<p><a href="http://www.cfinst.org/data.aspx">Campaign Finance Institute (Nonpartisan? Resource)</a>
</p><p><a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67460.html">Jack Abramoff: How to End Corruption </a>(in Politico.com)
</p>
<h2> Groups Outside Occupy Boston (In alphabetical order) </h2>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=pjgaqjhni0freohoui3tbiqj5k%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York">Calendar of Boston-Events </a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4764307">Common Cause</a> Common Cause is working diligently to expose the role of special interests, and promote reforms that put democracy back in the hands of "we the people."
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.coffeepartyusa.com">Coffee Party USA</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/bostoncoffeeparty">Boston Coffee Party</a> "The nonpartisan national Coffee Party movement is a call to action, to make government more accountable to the people.  The Greater Boston chapter focuses on state and local issues, in addition to participating in national Coffee Party campaign.  We are currently working for passage of key state legislation in two areas: money in politics, and civic education."  Contact <a href="mailto:coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com">coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com</a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.democracyfund.org/">Democracy Fund</a> "Democracy Fund is a new operating foundation created to dramatically increase the funding, strategic focus, effectiveness and coordination of existing and emerging efforts to curb the undue influence of corporate lobbyists over the U.S. political process. " Contact <a href="mailto:info@democracyfund.org">info@democracyfund.org</a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Democracy is for People</a> related to Public Citizen. The propose a constitutional amendment to ban money to corporate electioneering. In addition, they are pursuing several reforms. Public financing of elections, a shareholder protection act and a constitutional amendment go together as a package response to rein in the excessive influence that unrestricted, massive corporate expenditures can exert over our democracy. A constitutional amendment offers the long-term solution to address the other damaging effects on our society of treating corporations as if they’re entitled to the same rights to express themselves as real people.
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://freespeechforpeople.org/">Free Speech for People</a> Proposes the following amendment:
</p>
<ul><li> Section 1. We the people who ordain and establish this Constitution intend the rights protected by this Constitution to be the rights of natural persons.
</li><li> Section 2. People, person, or persons as used in this Constitution does not include corporations, limited liability companies or other corporate entities established by the laws of any state, the United States, or any foreign state, and such corporate entities are subject to such regulation as the people, through their elected state and federal representatives, deem reasonable and are otherwise consistent with the powers of Congress and the States under this Constitution.
</li><li> Section 3. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit the people's rights of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, free exercise of religion, and such other rights of the people, which rights are inalienable."
</li></ul>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.getmoneyout.com/">Get Money Out</a> Supports a constitutional amendment: "No person, corporation or business entity of any type, domestic or foreign, shall be allowed to contribute money, directly or indirectly, to any candidate for Federal office or to contribute money on behalf of or opposed to any type of campaign for Federal office. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, campaign contributions to candidates for Federal office shall not constitute speech of any kind as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution or any amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Congress shall set forth a federal holiday for the purposes of voting for candidates for Federal office"
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://movetoamend.org">Move to Amend</a>  We, the People of the United States of America, reject the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United, and move to amend our Constitution to:
</p>
<ul><li>Firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.
</li><li>Guarantee the right to vote and to participate, and to have our vote and participation count.
</li><li>Protect local communities, their economies, and democracies against illegitimate "preemption" actions by global, national, and state governments.
</li></ul>
<p>The Supreme Court is misguided in principle, and wrong on the law. In a democracy, the people rule. We Move to Amend.
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.pfaw.org/GovernmentByThePeople">People for the American Way</a> "The Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC threatens to tear apart the fabric of our democracy and grant powerful corporations unfettered influence in our political process. It's a drastic departure from previous law and our core values as a nation and it must be met with an appropriate response."
</p>
<hr />
<p>Public Citizen (sponsors <a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Democracy is for People</a> above)
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.rootstrikers.org/">Rootstrikers</a>
"Our republic is dangerously out of balance. Well-financed special interests routinely bend the levers of power to benefit the few at the expense of our general welfare. Political bribery has been legalized by the courts, and both major parties have been co-opted and corrupted by the system... Rootstrikers is aimed at restoring power over American politics and government to 100% of the people. We hope patriots of all political persuasions will join us to help build an unstoppable grassroots movement that demands and delivers lasting reforms."
</p>
<hr />
<h3> Key Local Experts and Opinion Leaders</h3>
<ul><li> <a href="http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/directory/index.html?id=888&show=bibliography">Lawrence Lessig</a> - Harvard Law Professor, Founder of <a href="http://www.rootstrikers.org/">Rootstrikers</a>, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Republic-Lost-Money-Corrupts-Congress/dp/0446576433">Republic Lost</a>. Contact: Admin <a href="mailto:szelena@rootstrikers.org">Szelena Gray</a>
</li></ul>
<ul><li>Julius Levine - BU Law Professor Emeritus, long time Brookline political activist
</li></ul>
<p>  
</p>
<h2> Occupy the Courts (January 20-21, 2012) </h2>
<p>Currently, this event is in the planning stage. Some ideas include:
</p>
<h3> Event Ideas </h3>
<p>FIRST PLANNING MEETING: Wednesday, December 7th, 7pm, Biddy Early's Pub, 141 Pearl St., Boston - near Dewey Sq.
</p>
<ul><li> RALLY - This would require a main stage and a program that would include a mix of relevant speakers, musicians, comedians and entertainment. There will be space for groups like Rootstrikers.org, Move to Amend, Common Cause, League of Women Voters and even the opposition to come and lobby the PEOPLE. There will also be non-partisan educational exhibits and activities geared toward children and adults. Each elected official will also be given a "tent" space, so that they can meet and greet their constituents and participate in the occupation as well. The purpose of the rally is to create an interactive and educational event where people can have an opportunity to learn how money in politics negatively affects our lives and how WE CAN FIX IT!
</li></ul>
<ul><li> SUMMIT - the summit would be a bicameral convention with one house working toward local reforms and the other working toward federal reforms. There is consensus among a large number of people that an amendment would be beneficial to reform. There are six amendments and counting sitting in Congress now and several other groups proposing their own. Let's put all of those ideas together, and see if we can make them one.
</li></ul>
<ul><li> STREET THEATER MONOPOLY SKIT - A creative, engaging street theater skit based on the Monopoly game designed to emphasize the correlation between corporate funding, campaign finance and financial ties to lobbying, making the case that our politicians, the supreme court, and essentially the entire American Gov't can be "bought and sold". Seeking creatives to work on this initiative. Needed: Writers to help develop the concept into an even more hilarious poignant skit, actors and actresses including ideally a professional auctioneer, artists to assist with costuming and props, photographers and filmmakers to document the action, any and all interested folks who want to get their creative juices flowing and are willing to play a role even as simple as carrying a sign as a backdrop. :) A grant application is in the works for funding to make this piece a truly awesome experience that you won't want to miss! The skit will be done in conjunction with the other actions that weekend. Please contact Jenn via jennjoy75 at gmail dot com with your availability for the meeting and/or for more information.
</li></ul>
<ul><li> OTHER IDEAS?
</li></ul>
<h3> Questions </h3>
<ul><li> What is the main purpose? 1) To engage the public to draw attention to the issue? 2) To unite the different campaign finance reform groups around Boston? Other?
</li><li> Which events should occur on which days? In particular, would the rally be better on Friday or Saturday?
</li></ul>

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)

2011-12-15T17:13:16Z

Stewart76:

== Contact for Working Group "Citizens United to End Political Bribery" ==
<p>Honi Sanders: [sanders6000@gmail.com]
</p><p>You can sign up to receive emails at [https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited]
</p><p><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/campaignfinancereformus/calendar-of-events?pli=1">Calendar of Events</a>
</p><p> 
Citizens United to End Political Bribery (CUEPB) is a Working Group formed to pursue goals related to getting corporate money out of politics.  We will focus on realistic actions in Massachusetts, but will also extend our efforts to nationwide politics when we can.  This wiki page and its subsidiary pages will be our place to collect information and discuss ideas before bringing proposals to Occupy Boston General Assembly.  Everything here should be considered a draft, unless conspicuously labeled otherwise.  To participate, come to one of our scheduled meetings or comment on the discussion tab for a page.  You can also edit a page, but we'd like to know who's involved, so please introduce yourself somewhere in some fashion.
</p>
<h2> Meetings:<br /> </h2>
<p>Next Meeting will be: Thursday Dec. 15 at 5:00PM at the Clear Conscience Cafe, which is located at 581 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge. If you're interested, comment here or sign up and inquire on the listserve link shown above.
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 30 BAAC Meeting">Notes from Nov. 30 BAAC Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 22 CUEPB Meeting">Notes from Nov. 22 CUEPB Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 16 CUEPB Meeting">Notes from Nov. 16 CUEPB Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29">Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Minutes from Nov. 1">Minutes from Nov. 1</a>
</p><p> 
</p>

<h2> Lecture & Open Discussion Series </h2>
Saturday Dec. 10 3:00PM <br>
Donna Palermino: "Pay to Play: A History of Citizens United and How to Get Corporate Money out of Politics" <br>
Donna is a Civil Liberties and Free Speech Professor at Boston University and Suffolk University. This will be a lecture on the history of Supreme Court ruling and how this decision has impacted elections.

Sunday Dec. 11 3:30PM <br>
Jules Levine: "Public Financing of Election Campaigns -- A Way Station; Fair, Just and Good Government--Our Destination" <br>
Jules is a practicing Law Professor at Boston University. He was actively involved in the MA Public Financing System brought to the State House in the 90's, and continues to promote the public financing of elections in Massachusetts. This lecture will provide a brief history of the reforms in MA, and also touch on the benefits and cost-savings this system would provide.

<h2> Next Steps Agreed on: </h2>
<p>Work with Jenn on a <a _fcknotitle="true" href="WG/Strategies/CUEPB/1% Monopoly">WG/Strategies/CUEPB/1% Monopoly</a> street theatre event in Boston for Friday, January 20 to publicize the anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. FEC. This demonstration will be the Boston activity for the one-day demonstration at federal courthouses across the country, including the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. The nationwide event is organized by Move To Amend (see link at bottom of page under "Other Groups." The CUEPB Working Group supports the Boston effort and will prepare a proposal to GA endorsing this event once more details are determined.
</p><p>Analyze and discuss pending legislation on the wiki in order to decide what proposed state and/or federal legislation we support. Edit the <a _fcknotitle="true" href="Campaign Finance Legislation">Campaign Finance Legislation</a> page to add links, summarize what's in a link and/or discuss your opinions about proposed bills. We will also draw on knowledge from other citizen action groups to get up to speed quickly on the campaign reform options.
</p><p>Build collaboration with other local groups, listed below on this page, who are working to change campaign funding.
</p><p>Continue to gather interested people - People are invited to participate here and/or email sandersh6000@gmail.com to identify themselves as part of this Working Group.
</p><p><br />
</p>
<h3> Other Ideas Not Endorsed in a Meeting: </h3>
<p>Prepare a proposal to GA endorsing <a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Public Citizen's</a> action on the anniversary of Citizens United (January 21, 2012). Occupy the Corporations will be an action on Saturday, January 21, when people either occupy or hold an event outside of a corporate target – primarily at Bank of America or British Petroleum locations. Activists there will make a citizen arrest of the corporation (e.g., a sign or other non-human stand-in) for infringing upon our democracy. Those who wish to can then march to their city or town hall and ask their elected officials to support them in calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.
</p>
<h2> Sub-topics:  </h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/SPP_End_Corporate_Personhood">End Corporate Personhood</a>
</li></ul>
<p>  
</p>
<h3> Business Card Ideas </h3>
<p><b>Front</b>: <br />
[slogan] <br />
learn more at <br />
www.campaignfinancereform.us <br />
[contact info] <br />
</p><p><b>Back</b>: informative text explaining the movement. <br />
</p><p><b>Version 1: <br /></b>
Many legislators spend over half their time raising money for their next campaign. With the recent Citizens United ruling by the Supreme Court, corporations can now spend unlimited and unregulated amounts of money on elections. The tremendous amount of time and money that goes into fundraising warps our government's ability to listen to the people. Join us in creating constitutional amendments and new laws to take the money out of politics!
</p><p><b>Version 2: </b> (votes for: Andy, Susi, Nina)<br />
Corporate money floods the election process without limits or meaningful regulations. Many lawmakers spend over half their time fundraising for the next election and listen more to money than to us.
</p><p>Join us in creating new laws to take the money out of politics!
</p><p><br />
<b>Slogan ideas</b> <br />
</p>
<ul><li> Reclaiming our democracy (votes for: Andy, Susi)
</li><li> Taking back congress from the 1%
</li><li> End corporate personhood
</li><li> End institutionalized bribery
</li></ul>
<p><b>Contact info:</b> what should we put here? I have fixcitizensunited@gmail.com, but at least for the moment, I'm the only one that reads it. That may not be ideal.
</p>
<h2> Background Information: </h2>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion">Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion</a></h4>
<p>The minority dissenting opinion quoted at this link gives arguments against the Supreme Court's majority opinion. After a summary, the opinion continues (not quoted here,) describing in detail the laws and rulings related to corporate personhood.
</p><p>Under U.S. law, a corporation is a "corporate veil," protecting individuals inside a company from being prosecuted for the actions of the business. In 1886 the U.S. Supreme Court decided that corporations are entitled to many rights accorded to citizens, in its decision of <i>Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Rail Road Co.</i>
</p><p>In 1907 Congress passed the Tillman Act, prohibiting corporations from donating money directly to national political campaigns. This still holds, but in January 2010 the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 (in <i>Citizens United v. FEC</i>) that corporations can spend unlimited amounts on political advertisements as long as they don't directly coordinate that spending with an actual candidate.
</p><p>The <i>Citizens United v. FEC</i> decision invalidated protections that had existed in Massachusetts General Law, according to a March, 2010 ruling of the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Many bills are now being introduced in Massachusetts and at the federal level to counteract the wide effects of last year's Supreme Court decision by restricting corporate money from influencing politics.
</p>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Campaign Finance Legislation">Campaign Finance Legislation</a> (passed and pending)</h4>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Politicians and Candidates">Politicians and Candidates</a></h4>
<p><a href="http://www.cfinst.org/data.aspx">Campaign Finance Institute (Nonpartisan? Resource)</a>
</p><p><a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67460.html">Jack Abramoff: How to End Corruption </a>(in Politico.com)
</p>
<h2> Groups Outside Occupy Boston (In alphabetical order) </h2>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=pjgaqjhni0freohoui3tbiqj5k%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York">Calendar of Boston-Events </a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4764307">Common Cause</a> Common Cause is working diligently to expose the role of special interests, and promote reforms that put democracy back in the hands of "we the people."
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.coffeepartyusa.com">Coffee Party USA</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/bostoncoffeeparty">Boston Coffee Party</a> "The nonpartisan national Coffee Party movement is a call to action, to make government more accountable to the people.  The Greater Boston chapter focuses on state and local issues, in addition to participating in national Coffee Party campaign.  We are currently working for passage of key state legislation in two areas: money in politics, and civic education."  Contact <a href="mailto:coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com">coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com</a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.democracyfund.org/">Democracy Fund</a> "Democracy Fund is a new operating foundation created to dramatically increase the funding, strategic focus, effectiveness and coordination of existing and emerging efforts to curb the undue influence of corporate lobbyists over the U.S. political process. " Contact <a href="mailto:info@democracyfund.org">info@democracyfund.org</a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Democracy is for People</a> related to Public Citizen. The propose a constitutional amendment to ban money to corporate electioneering. In addition, they are pursuing several reforms. Public financing of elections, a shareholder protection act and a constitutional amendment go together as a package response to rein in the excessive influence that unrestricted, massive corporate expenditures can exert over our democracy. A constitutional amendment offers the long-term solution to address the other damaging effects on our society of treating corporations as if they’re entitled to the same rights to express themselves as real people.
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://freespeechforpeople.org/">Free Speech for People</a> Proposes the following amendment:
</p>
<ul><li> Section 1. We the people who ordain and establish this Constitution intend the rights protected by this Constitution to be the rights of natural persons.
</li><li> Section 2. People, person, or persons as used in this Constitution does not include corporations, limited liability companies or other corporate entities established by the laws of any state, the United States, or any foreign state, and such corporate entities are subject to such regulation as the people, through their elected state and federal representatives, deem reasonable and are otherwise consistent with the powers of Congress and the States under this Constitution.
</li><li> Section 3. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit the people's rights of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, free exercise of religion, and such other rights of the people, which rights are inalienable."
</li></ul>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.getmoneyout.com/">Get Money Out</a> Supports a constitutional amendment: "No person, corporation or business entity of any type, domestic or foreign, shall be allowed to contribute money, directly or indirectly, to any candidate for Federal office or to contribute money on behalf of or opposed to any type of campaign for Federal office. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, campaign contributions to candidates for Federal office shall not constitute speech of any kind as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution or any amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Congress shall set forth a federal holiday for the purposes of voting for candidates for Federal office"
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://movetoamend.org">Move to Amend</a>  We, the People of the United States of America, reject the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United, and move to amend our Constitution to:
</p>
<ul><li>Firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.
</li><li>Guarantee the right to vote and to participate, and to have our vote and participation count.
</li><li>Protect local communities, their economies, and democracies against illegitimate "preemption" actions by global, national, and state governments.
</li></ul>
<p>The Supreme Court is misguided in principle, and wrong on the law. In a democracy, the people rule. We Move to Amend.
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.pfaw.org/GovernmentByThePeople">People for the American Way</a> "The Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC threatens to tear apart the fabric of our democracy and grant powerful corporations unfettered influence in our political process. It's a drastic departure from previous law and our core values as a nation and it must be met with an appropriate response."
</p>
<hr />
<p>Public Citizen (sponsors <a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Democracy is for People</a> above)
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.rootstrikers.org/">Rootstrikers</a>
"Our republic is dangerously out of balance. Well-financed special interests routinely bend the levers of power to benefit the few at the expense of our general welfare. Political bribery has been legalized by the courts, and both major parties have been co-opted and corrupted by the system... Rootstrikers is aimed at restoring power over American politics and government to 100% of the people. We hope patriots of all political persuasions will join us to help build an unstoppable grassroots movement that demands and delivers lasting reforms."
</p>
<hr />
<h3> Key Local Experts and Opinion Leaders</h3>
<ul><li> <a href="http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/directory/index.html?id=888&show=bibliography">Lawrence Lessig</a> - Harvard Law Professor, Founder of <a href="http://www.rootstrikers.org/">Rootstrikers</a>, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Republic-Lost-Money-Corrupts-Congress/dp/0446576433">Republic Lost</a>. Contact: Admin <a href="mailto:szelena@rootstrikers.org">Szelena Gray</a>
</li></ul>
<ul><li>Julius Levine - BU Law Professor Emeritus, long time Brookline political activist
</li></ul>
<p>  
</p>
<h2> Occupy the Courts (January 20-21, 2012) </h2>
<p>Currently, this event is in the planning stage. Some ideas include:
</p>
<h3> Event Ideas </h3>
<p>FIRST PLANNING MEETING: Wednesday, December 7th, 7pm, Biddy Early's Pub, 141 Pearl St., Boston - near Dewey Sq.
</p>
<ul><li> RALLY - This would require a main stage and a program that would include a mix of relevant speakers, musicians, comedians and entertainment. There will be space for groups like Rootstrikers.org, Move to Amend, Common Cause, League of Women Voters and even the opposition to come and lobby the PEOPLE. There will also be non-partisan educational exhibits and activities geared toward children and adults. Each elected official will also be given a "tent" space, so that they can meet and greet their constituents and participate in the occupation as well. The purpose of the rally is to create an interactive and educational event where people can have an opportunity to learn how money in politics negatively affects our lives and how WE CAN FIX IT!
</li></ul>
<ul><li> SUMMIT - the summit would be a bicameral convention with one house working toward local reforms and the other working toward federal reforms. There is consensus among a large number of people that an amendment would be beneficial to reform. There are six amendments and counting sitting in Congress now and several other groups proposing their own. Let's put all of those ideas together, and see if we can make them one.
</li></ul>
<ul><li> STREET THEATER MONOPOLY SKIT - A creative, engaging street theater skit based on the Monopoly game designed to emphasize the correlation between corporate funding, campaign finance and financial ties to lobbying, making the case that our politicians, the supreme court, and essentially the entire American Gov't can be "bought and sold". Seeking creatives to work on this initiative. Needed: Writers to help develop the concept into an even more hilarious poignant skit, actors and actresses including ideally a professional auctioneer, artists to assist with costuming and props, photographers and filmmakers to document the action, any and all interested folks who want to get their creative juices flowing and are willing to play a role even as simple as carrying a sign as a backdrop. :) A grant application is in the works for funding to make this piece a truly awesome experience that you won't want to miss! The skit will be done in conjunction with the other actions that weekend. Please contact Jenn via jennjoy75 at gmail dot com with your availability for the meeting and/or for more information.
</li></ul>
<ul><li> OTHER IDEAS?
</li></ul>
<h3> Questions </h3>
<ul><li> What is the main purpose? 1) To engage the public to draw attention to the issue? 2) To unite the different campaign finance reform groups around Boston? Other?
</li><li> Which events should occur on which days? In particular, would the rally be better on Friday or Saturday?
</li></ul>

Ideas

2011-12-14T22:02:04Z

Stewart76: /* Working Group Meeting Times */

== Working Group Meeting Times ==

*Meetings have been set for 6pm Wednesdays, and Sunday night after GA around 8pm. We used to meet at the Gandhi Statue in Dewey Square :( but now we meet at South Station :)

Cooming Soon: The ideas working group will be holding topic-focused open political discussions at 7pm on non-GA nights - Monday, Wednesday, and possibly Friday. We need indoor space for these discussions! If you know of any, let us know by emailing ideas@lists.occupyboston.org

*[[Ideas working group meeting notes]]

== Upcoming Public Discussions ==

*Held in the GA area, unless otherwise specified
*Topics set based on suggestions collected online [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Vote_here&action=edit vote here] and on the whiteboard outside Media tent

Want to set the agenda for future Public Discussions? [[Vote here]]

We want your input! Click here: [[Click here!|Subpage]] to fill out the "How Values Become Action" table.  You do need to log in/register. After clicking on "subpage" click "edit" in the upper right corner and then when you get the dialogue box make sure  you hit "rich text" so you're not dealing with code. 

Thanks!

[[Join the Ideas email list]] - email your ideas, join the online conversation, and view the archive of discussions

[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin&type=signup&returnto=Main_Page Join the wiki]. Have some ideas you are developing? Consider putting a link to them in the group workspace: [[User:WG-ideas]] You can also create your own user page by clicking on your name in the upper right.

== PROPOSAL PASSED at GA 11/29/11 ==

Proposal for the General Assembly at Occupy Boston from the Statement of Purpose Working Group November 29, 2011

===Declaration of Occupation===

We, the people of Occupy Boston, have occupied Dewey Square in the heart of the financial district, in order to express dissent over the state of our political and financial systems. We are practicing a form of horizontal participatory democracy in the shadows of anti-democratic institutions that dominate our government and our lives. Through our occupation, we are creating an exemplar society in which no one's human needs go unmet.

The Occupy Movement has started a nationwide conversation about the realities of economic inequality and the meaning of Constitutional rights. We are committed to living the values of transparency, equality, accountability, awareness, sustainability, and compassion as we struggle against corporate predation, injustice, and oppression. We are actively seeking to include the diverse voices of the 99%. Together, we set a precedent and provide a foothold for people to demand a truer, more horizontal democracy, in which greed has no influence.

Regardless of media spin, police brutality, or sub-zero temperatures, we will continue to peacefully exercise our first amendment rights by occupying, holding general assemblies, and planning for the American Spring. Our goal is a society that prioritizes the needs of all before the profits of the few. We are the 99%.

==developing ideas==
===[[100 great political objectives]]===

===[[Occupy_Boston_Summit_Notes]]===
[[Occupy_Boston_Summit_Notes_-_Overflow_Room]]

== Public Discussion Minutes & Notes ==
=== Friday, 18 November ===

*Went through the new process for GA meetings put forth by the facilitators group. The mock topic was a proposal to add a values statement to the Statement of Purpose.
*Here is the feedback from the procedure:
**Facilitators need to be the ones writing on the whiteboard
**Process needs to keep going and sometimes be changed in order to figure out how to move forward.
**It may be that the best model for GA is not for people to propose a document that should be ratified, rather to propose the discussion of a document.
**Some people were lost during the discussion due to the new nature of the process.
**There is confusion in the new process of what happens after amendments had been made. This seems like a delicate point in the process.
**We still do not have a way for the GA to create a proposal.
**It may be beneficial for the facilitator, in the fly, to guide the synthesis of what GA is saying, and change the process as it needs to happen. This is tricky because the facilitators cannot help being biased. Another way is to have a very polished process that can handle many scenarios, but how to find that process?
**The new method does activate people's minds more - it tapped into the "creative capitol" of the GA better.
**we found that at one point the process did not fit the need of what we needed to do anymore at one point.
**There was a desire from many to keep the procedure fluid and adaptable somehow. Hopefully that fluidity can be written into the process (catch-22?)
**the facilitators need to have and be trusted with an extensive toolbox of process that will allow the fluidity of the discussion.
**It was noted that you are always giving your freedom up to the process, or a facilitator, or the loudest voice in GA. We are picking.

=== Wednesday, 16 November ===

*Announcement/Get the word out about Occupy Declaration: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99_Percent_Declaration http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99_Percent_Declaration]
*Proposal to create an information card for how to discuss the Occupy movement with families on Thanksgiving.  The information card could give suggestions on how to talk about Occupy, but also remind to collect ideas from family members which can then be brought back to the camp for discussion.
*Discussion of possibly wording statements so that they are not as inclusive, by using words like "most of us", etc.  Debated whether this is a good strategy, no position was taken.
*Discussion on the purpose of statements of purpose, and how it can guide its development. Mention that it can act as a guide to how we live responsibly with each other in the camp (internal purpose), and how we may bring people into solidarity with the movement (external), or how it will guide our actions as we move forward (intermal/external).
**Also it is noted that most of the good work that is done within Occupy Boston needs no Statement to happen, and that a multitude of different occupy movements have a wide range of different statement sizes, breadth, meaning, or do not have any statements at all.  No position was taken, however it was consented on that if we did draft a potential proposed Values statement, it might mention the internal and external purposes. (Note: google doc of all Occupy statement's movements here: [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RsPuWV2D8UjB-N5WrmxZM7QxGJIABHON-ya3YtGawx0/edit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RsPuWV2D8UjB-N5WrmxZM7QxGJIABHON-ya3YtGawx0/edit])
*Discussion of what the proposal that we will raise at the facilitation testing of the new GA process on Friday.  We decided that it will be to propose that a values statement to be added to the Statement of Purpose.
*Discussion of what values to start off the discussion will be (Tess has the list, i forgot to write it down)
*Decision to set the date of the GA for the real proposal is Tuesday Nov 22.
*Decision to table the discussion of the whitehouse.gov/petition discussion of what petition to create until Sunday's Ideas meeting.
*Decision for a topic of discussion for an Ideas Public Discussion sometime after the Summit:
*Discussion of all of the Authors that have drafted Mission Statements, Declarations of Occupation, etc. to offer their ideas to the public and garner feedback in a discussion format.

=== Friday, 11 November ===

VALUES that came out of the meeting:

*knowledge
**education
**awareness
**information
**transparency
*unity
*change x2
*respect
**diversity
*making "freedom" bigger
*non-violence x2
*peaceful
*consensus
*horizontal democracy x2
*solidarity
*equality
*fairness
*concern for others x2
*freedom
*positivity
*generosity
*compassion
*sustainability
*honesty
*unity
*cooperation
*mutual aid
*resistance to oppresion
*kindness
*empathy
*dialogue
*civility

<br/>SENTENCES that came out of the meeting:

*In an effort to create a more just and sustainable socitey, we will strive to embody the values of: inclusivity, honesty, non-violence, comapssion, cooperation, and ecological integrity.
*We seek to foster a cuture of inclusivity, a practice of sustainability, and a spirit of compassion.
*We beleive that in working towards change, we need to pread knowledge while maintainin a unity based on respect

[[File:Ideas values raw.png|300x358px|RTENOTITLE]]\

Original word cloud that was used to start the evening's discussion (word coud data collected from surveying the camp to answer the question "What values do we, as Occupy Boston, all share?"

<br/>see all [[Ideas working group values data]].

=== Friday, November 4 ===

Facilitator: Marty Facilitator: Forest Minutes: Mallory Stack Taker: None

The discussion followed this format:

*Introduction (10 minutes)
*Breakout Group Formation (individuals on stack) (20 minutes)
*Group Discussions (45 minutes)
*Group Stack/Presentations (10 minutes per group x 3 groups = 30 minutes)
*Conclusion/Summary

Breakout groups were formed after an opening discussion about what people wanted to talk about. The three breakout groups were:

*Local Issues
*Occupy as Paradigm Shift
*Functional divisions in the movement and occupy boston (i.e. offline/online, onsite/offsite)

Some noted questions/comments that resulted at the end of discussion:

*How does occupy reach into rural areas? Also, what about occupy gardens/farms?
*How to include people whose time is filled with work obligations (i.e. how to occupy time the same way we are currently occupying space)?
*"laboratory space" to describe our ideas discussions.

Two functional issues with discussion format identified by facilitator (Forest) were:

*Breakout groups for the most part lacked facilitation, stack taker, timekeepers, or minute recorders. In the future groups should ideally follow an established process for discussion.

*People who tended to agree seemed to clump together in the smaller groups. Maybe experimenting with starting groups with members randomly assigned and *then* applying law of two feet would be worthwhile? Also, instructing group initiators to make sure their group has someone taking stack?

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)

2011-12-14T21:56:05Z

Stewart76: /* Contact for Working Group "Citizens United to End Political Bribery" */

== Contact for Working Group "Citizens United to End Political Bribery" ==
<p>Honi Sanders: sandersh6000 at gmail dot com
</p><p>You can sign up to receive emails at <You can sign up to receive emails at [https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited]
</p><p><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/campaignfinancereformus/calendar-of-events?pli=1">Calendar of Events</a>
</p><p> 
Citizens United to End Political Bribery (CUEPB) is a Working Group formed to pursue goals related to getting corporate money out of politics.  We will focus on realistic actions in Massachusetts, but will also extend our efforts to nationwide politics when we can.  This wiki page and its subsidiary pages will be our place to collect information and discuss ideas before bringing proposals to Occupy Boston General Assembly.  Everything here should be considered a draft, unless conspicuously labeled otherwise.  To participate, come to one of our scheduled meetings or comment on the discussion tab for a page.  You can also edit a page, but we'd like to know who's involved, so please introduce yourself somewhere in some fashion.
</p>
<h2> Meetings:<br /> </h2>
<p>Next Meeting will be: 5:00PM at the Clear Conscience Cafe in Cambridge on Thursday Dec. 15th. If you're interested, comment here or sign up and inquire on the listserve link shown above.
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 30 BAAC Meeting">Notes from Nov. 30 BAAC Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 22 CUEPB Meeting">Notes from Nov. 22 CUEPB Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 16 CUEPB Meeting">Notes from Nov. 16 CUEPB Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29">Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Minutes from Nov. 1">Minutes from Nov. 1</a>
</p><p> 
</p>

<h2> Lecture & Open Discussion Series </h2>
Saturday Dec. 10 3:00PM <br>
Donna Palermino: "Pay to Play: A History of Citizens United and How to Get Corporate Money out of Politics" <br>
Donna is a Civil Liberties and Free Speech Professor at Boston University and Suffolk University. This will be a lecture on the history of Supreme Court ruling and how this decision has impacted elections.

Sunday Dec. 11 3:30PM <br>
Jules Levine: "Public Financing of Election Campaigns -- A Way Station; Fair, Just and Good Government--Our Destination" <br>
Jules is a practicing Law Professor at Boston University. He was actively involved in the MA Public Financing System brought to the State House in the 90's, and continues to promote the public financing of elections in Massachusetts. This lecture will provide a brief history of the reforms in MA, and also touch on the benefits and cost-savings this system would provide.

<h2> Next Steps Agreed on: </h2>
<p>Work with Jenn on a <a _fcknotitle="true" href="WG/Strategies/CUEPB/1% Monopoly">WG/Strategies/CUEPB/1% Monopoly</a> street theatre event in Boston for Friday, January 20 to publicize the anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. FEC. This demonstration will be the Boston activity for the one-day demonstration at federal courthouses across the country, including the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. The nationwide event is organized by Move To Amend (see link at bottom of page under "Other Groups." The CUEPB Working Group supports the Boston effort and will prepare a proposal to GA endorsing this event once more details are determined.
</p><p>Analyze and discuss pending legislation on the wiki in order to decide what proposed state and/or federal legislation we support. Edit the <a _fcknotitle="true" href="Campaign Finance Legislation">Campaign Finance Legislation</a> page to add links, summarize what's in a link and/or discuss your opinions about proposed bills. We will also draw on knowledge from other citizen action groups to get up to speed quickly on the campaign reform options.
</p><p>Build collaboration with other local groups, listed below on this page, who are working to change campaign funding.
</p><p>Continue to gather interested people - People are invited to participate here and/or email sandersh6000@gmail.com to identify themselves as part of this Working Group.
</p><p><br />
</p>
<h3> Other Ideas Not Endorsed in a Meeting: </h3>
<p>Prepare a proposal to GA endorsing <a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Public Citizen's</a> action on the anniversary of Citizens United (January 21, 2012). Occupy the Corporations will be an action on Saturday, January 21, when people either occupy or hold an event outside of a corporate target – primarily at Bank of America or British Petroleum locations. Activists there will make a citizen arrest of the corporation (e.g., a sign or other non-human stand-in) for infringing upon our democracy. Those who wish to can then march to their city or town hall and ask their elected officials to support them in calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.
</p>
<h2> Sub-topics:  </h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/SPP_End_Corporate_Personhood">End Corporate Personhood</a>
</li></ul>
<p>  
</p>
<h3> Business Card Ideas </h3>
<p><b>Front</b>: <br />
[slogan] <br />
learn more at <br />
www.campaignfinancereform.us <br />
[contact info] <br />
</p><p><b>Back</b>: informative text explaining the movement. <br />
</p><p><b>Version 1: <br /></b>
Many legislators spend over half their time raising money for their next campaign. With the recent Citizens United ruling by the Supreme Court, corporations can now spend unlimited and unregulated amounts of money on elections. The tremendous amount of time and money that goes into fundraising warps our government's ability to listen to the people. Join us in creating constitutional amendments and new laws to take the money out of politics!
</p><p><b>Version 2: </b> (votes for: Andy, Susi, Nina)<br />
Corporate money floods the election process without limits or meaningful regulations. Many lawmakers spend over half their time fundraising for the next election and listen more to money than to us.
</p><p>Join us in creating new laws to take the money out of politics!
</p><p><br />
<b>Slogan ideas</b> <br />
</p>
<ul><li> Reclaiming our democracy (votes for: Andy, Susi)
</li><li> Taking back congress from the 1%
</li><li> End corporate personhood
</li><li> End institutionalized bribery
</li></ul>
<p><b>Contact info:</b> what should we put here? I have fixcitizensunited@gmail.com, but at least for the moment, I'm the only one that reads it. That may not be ideal.
</p>
<h2> Background Information: </h2>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion">Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion</a></h4>
<p>The minority dissenting opinion quoted at this link gives arguments against the Supreme Court's majority opinion. After a summary, the opinion continues (not quoted here,) describing in detail the laws and rulings related to corporate personhood.
</p><p>Under U.S. law, a corporation is a "corporate veil," protecting individuals inside a company from being prosecuted for the actions of the business. In 1886 the U.S. Supreme Court decided that corporations are entitled to many rights accorded to citizens, in its decision of <i>Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Rail Road Co.</i>
</p><p>In 1907 Congress passed the Tillman Act, prohibiting corporations from donating money directly to national political campaigns. This still holds, but in January 2010 the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 (in <i>Citizens United v. FEC</i>) that corporations can spend unlimited amounts on political advertisements as long as they don't directly coordinate that spending with an actual candidate.
</p><p>The <i>Citizens United v. FEC</i> decision invalidated protections that had existed in Massachusetts General Law, according to a March, 2010 ruling of the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Many bills are now being introduced in Massachusetts and at the federal level to counteract the wide effects of last year's Supreme Court decision by restricting corporate money from influencing politics.
</p>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Campaign Finance Legislation">Campaign Finance Legislation</a> (passed and pending)</h4>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Politicians and Candidates">Politicians and Candidates</a></h4>
<p><a href="http://www.cfinst.org/data.aspx">Campaign Finance Institute (Nonpartisan? Resource)</a>
</p><p><a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67460.html">Jack Abramoff: How to End Corruption </a>(in Politico.com)
</p>
<h2> Groups Outside Occupy Boston (In alphabetical order) </h2>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=pjgaqjhni0freohoui3tbiqj5k%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York">Calendar of Boston-Events </a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4764307">Common Cause</a> Common Cause is working diligently to expose the role of special interests, and promote reforms that put democracy back in the hands of "we the people."
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.coffeepartyusa.com">Coffee Party USA</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/bostoncoffeeparty">Boston Coffee Party</a> "The nonpartisan national Coffee Party movement is a call to action, to make government more accountable to the people.  The Greater Boston chapter focuses on state and local issues, in addition to participating in national Coffee Party campaign.  We are currently working for passage of key state legislation in two areas: money in politics, and civic education."  Contact <a href="mailto:coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com">coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com</a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.democracyfund.org/">Democracy Fund</a> "Democracy Fund is a new operating foundation created to dramatically increase the funding, strategic focus, effectiveness and coordination of existing and emerging efforts to curb the undue influence of corporate lobbyists over the U.S. political process. " Contact <a href="mailto:info@democracyfund.org">info@democracyfund.org</a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Democracy is for People</a> related to Public Citizen. The propose a constitutional amendment to ban money to corporate electioneering. In addition, they are pursuing several reforms. Public financing of elections, a shareholder protection act and a constitutional amendment go together as a package response to rein in the excessive influence that unrestricted, massive corporate expenditures can exert over our democracy. A constitutional amendment offers the long-term solution to address the other damaging effects on our society of treating corporations as if they’re entitled to the same rights to express themselves as real people.
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://freespeechforpeople.org/">Free Speech for People</a> Proposes the following amendment:
</p>
<ul><li> Section 1. We the people who ordain and establish this Constitution intend the rights protected by this Constitution to be the rights of natural persons.
</li><li> Section 2. People, person, or persons as used in this Constitution does not include corporations, limited liability companies or other corporate entities established by the laws of any state, the United States, or any foreign state, and such corporate entities are subject to such regulation as the people, through their elected state and federal representatives, deem reasonable and are otherwise consistent with the powers of Congress and the States under this Constitution.
</li><li> Section 3. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit the people's rights of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, free exercise of religion, and such other rights of the people, which rights are inalienable."
</li></ul>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.getmoneyout.com/">Get Money Out</a> Supports a constitutional amendment: "No person, corporation or business entity of any type, domestic or foreign, shall be allowed to contribute money, directly or indirectly, to any candidate for Federal office or to contribute money on behalf of or opposed to any type of campaign for Federal office. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, campaign contributions to candidates for Federal office shall not constitute speech of any kind as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution or any amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Congress shall set forth a federal holiday for the purposes of voting for candidates for Federal office"
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://movetoamend.org">Move to Amend</a>  We, the People of the United States of America, reject the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United, and move to amend our Constitution to:
</p>
<ul><li>Firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.
</li><li>Guarantee the right to vote and to participate, and to have our vote and participation count.
</li><li>Protect local communities, their economies, and democracies against illegitimate "preemption" actions by global, national, and state governments.
</li></ul>
<p>The Supreme Court is misguided in principle, and wrong on the law. In a democracy, the people rule. We Move to Amend.
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.pfaw.org/GovernmentByThePeople">People for the American Way</a> "The Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC threatens to tear apart the fabric of our democracy and grant powerful corporations unfettered influence in our political process. It's a drastic departure from previous law and our core values as a nation and it must be met with an appropriate response."
</p>
<hr />
<p>Public Citizen (sponsors <a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Democracy is for People</a> above)
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.rootstrikers.org/">Rootstrikers</a>
"Our republic is dangerously out of balance. Well-financed special interests routinely bend the levers of power to benefit the few at the expense of our general welfare. Political bribery has been legalized by the courts, and both major parties have been co-opted and corrupted by the system... Rootstrikers is aimed at restoring power over American politics and government to 100% of the people. We hope patriots of all political persuasions will join us to help build an unstoppable grassroots movement that demands and delivers lasting reforms."
</p>
<hr />
<h3> Key Local Experts and Opinion Leaders</h3>
<ul><li> <a href="http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/directory/index.html?id=888&show=bibliography">Lawrence Lessig</a> - Harvard Law Professor, Founder of <a href="http://www.rootstrikers.org/">Rootstrikers</a>, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Republic-Lost-Money-Corrupts-Congress/dp/0446576433">Republic Lost</a>. Contact: Admin <a href="mailto:szelena@rootstrikers.org">Szelena Gray</a>
</li></ul>
<ul><li>Julius Levine - BU Law Professor Emeritus, long time Brookline political activist
</li></ul>
<p>  
</p>
<h2> Occupy the Courts (January 20-21, 2012) </h2>
<p>Currently, this event is in the planning stage. Some ideas include:
</p>
<h3> Event Ideas </h3>
<p>FIRST PLANNING MEETING: Wednesday, December 7th, 7pm, Biddy Early's Pub, 141 Pearl St., Boston - near Dewey Sq.
</p>
<ul><li> RALLY - This would require a main stage and a program that would include a mix of relevant speakers, musicians, comedians and entertainment. There will be space for groups like Rootstrikers.org, Move to Amend, Common Cause, League of Women Voters and even the opposition to come and lobby the PEOPLE. There will also be non-partisan educational exhibits and activities geared toward children and adults. Each elected official will also be given a "tent" space, so that they can meet and greet their constituents and participate in the occupation as well. The purpose of the rally is to create an interactive and educational event where people can have an opportunity to learn how money in politics negatively affects our lives and how WE CAN FIX IT!
</li></ul>
<ul><li> SUMMIT - the summit would be a bicameral convention with one house working toward local reforms and the other working toward federal reforms. There is consensus among a large number of people that an amendment would be beneficial to reform. There are six amendments and counting sitting in Congress now and several other groups proposing their own. Let's put all of those ideas together, and see if we can make them one.
</li></ul>
<ul><li> STREET THEATER MONOPOLY SKIT - A creative, engaging street theater skit based on the Monopoly game designed to emphasize the correlation between corporate funding, campaign finance and financial ties to lobbying, making the case that our politicians, the supreme court, and essentially the entire American Gov't can be "bought and sold". Seeking creatives to work on this initiative. Needed: Writers to help develop the concept into an even more hilarious poignant skit, actors and actresses including ideally a professional auctioneer, artists to assist with costuming and props, photographers and filmmakers to document the action, any and all interested folks who want to get their creative juices flowing and are willing to play a role even as simple as carrying a sign as a backdrop. :) A grant application is in the works for funding to make this piece a truly awesome experience that you won't want to miss! The skit will be done in conjunction with the other actions that weekend. Please contact Jenn via jennjoy75 at gmail dot com with your availability for the meeting and/or for more information.
</li></ul>
<ul><li> OTHER IDEAS?
</li></ul>
<h3> Questions </h3>
<ul><li> What is the main purpose? 1) To engage the public to draw attention to the issue? 2) To unite the different campaign finance reform groups around Boston? Other?
</li><li> Which events should occur on which days? In particular, would the rally be better on Friday or Saturday?
</li></ul>

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)

2011-12-11T13:31:29Z

Stewart76:

== Contact for Working Group "Citizens United to End Political Bribery" ==
<p>Honi Sanders: sandersh6000 at gmail dot com
</p><p>You can sign up to receive emails at <You can sign up to receive emails at [https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited]
</p><p><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/campaignfinancereformus/calendar-of-events?pli=1">Calendar of Events</a>
</p><p> 
Citizens United to End Political Bribery (CUEPB) is a Working Group formed to pursue goals related to getting corporate money out of politics.  We will focus on realistic actions in Massachusetts, but will also extend our efforts to nationwide politics when we can.  This wiki page and its subsidiary pages will be our place to collect information and discuss ideas before bringing proposals to Occupy Boston General Assembly.  Everything here should be considered a draft, unless conspicuously labeled otherwise.  To participate, come to one of our scheduled meetings or comment on the discussion tab for a page.  You can also edit a page, but we'd like to know who's involved, so please introduce yourself somewhere in some fashion.
</p>
<h2> Meetings:<br /> </h2>
<p>Next Meeting will be: Wednesday, December 7th, 7pm BIddy Early's Pub, 141 Pearl St., near Dewey Sq. If you're interested, comment here or sign up and inquire on the listserve link shown above.
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 30 BAAC Meeting">Notes from Nov. 30 BAAC Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 22 CUEPB Meeting">Notes from Nov. 22 CUEPB Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 16 CUEPB Meeting">Notes from Nov. 16 CUEPB Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29">Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Minutes from Nov. 1">Minutes from Nov. 1</a>
</p><p> 
</p>
<h2> Saturday Dec. 11 3:30PM workshop with Jules Levine has been moved from Dewey to the food court at City Place (aka the transportation building on Stuart St. near theater district. </h2> </p>

<h2> Lecture & Open Discussion Series </h2>
Saturday Dec. 10 3:00PM <br>
Donna Palermino: "Pay to Play: A History of Citizens United and How to Get Corporate Money out of Politics" <br>
Donna is a Civil Liberties and Free Speech Professor at Boston University and Suffolk University. This will be a lecture on the history of Supreme Court ruling and how this decision has impacted elections.

Sunday Dec. 11 3:30PM <br>
Jules Levine: "Public Financing of Election Campaigns -- A Way Station; Fair, Just and Good Government--Our Destination" <br>
Jules is a practicing Law Professor at Boston University. He was actively involved in the MA Public Financing System brought to the State House in the 90's, and continues to promote the public financing of elections in Massachusetts. This lecture will provide a brief history of the reforms in MA, and also touch on the benefits and cost-savings this system would provide.

<h2> Next Steps Agreed on: </h2>
<p>Work with Jenn on a <a _fcknotitle="true" href="WG/Strategies/CUEPB/1% Monopoly">WG/Strategies/CUEPB/1% Monopoly</a> street theatre event in Boston for Friday, January 20 to publicize the anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. FEC. This demonstration will be the Boston activity for the one-day demonstration at federal courthouses across the country, including the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. The nationwide event is organized by Move To Amend (see link at bottom of page under "Other Groups." The CUEPB Working Group supports the Boston effort and will prepare a proposal to GA endorsing this event once more details are determined.
</p><p>Analyze and discuss pending legislation on the wiki in order to decide what proposed state and/or federal legislation we support. Edit the <a _fcknotitle="true" href="Campaign Finance Legislation">Campaign Finance Legislation</a> page to add links, summarize what's in a link and/or discuss your opinions about proposed bills. We will also draw on knowledge from other citizen action groups to get up to speed quickly on the campaign reform options.
</p><p>Build collaboration with other local groups, listed below on this page, who are working to change campaign funding.
</p><p>Continue to gather interested people - People are invited to participate here and/or email sandersh6000@gmail.com to identify themselves as part of this Working Group.
</p><p><br />
</p>
<h3> Other Ideas Not Endorsed in a Meeting: </h3>
<p>Prepare a proposal to GA endorsing <a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Public Citizen's</a> action on the anniversary of Citizens United (January 21, 2012). Occupy the Corporations will be an action on Saturday, January 21, when people either occupy or hold an event outside of a corporate target – primarily at Bank of America or British Petroleum locations. Activists there will make a citizen arrest of the corporation (e.g., a sign or other non-human stand-in) for infringing upon our democracy. Those who wish to can then march to their city or town hall and ask their elected officials to support them in calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.
</p>
<h2> Sub-topics:  </h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/SPP_End_Corporate_Personhood">End Corporate Personhood</a>
</li></ul>
<p>  
</p>
<h3> Business Card Ideas </h3>
<p><b>Front</b>: <br />
[slogan] <br />
learn more at <br />
www.campaignfinancereform.us <br />
[contact info] <br />
</p><p><b>Back</b>: informative text explaining the movement. <br />
</p><p><b>Version 1: <br /></b>
Many legislators spend over half their time raising money for their next campaign. With the recent Citizens United ruling by the Supreme Court, corporations can now spend unlimited and unregulated amounts of money on elections. The tremendous amount of time and money that goes into fundraising warps our government's ability to listen to the people. Join us in creating constitutional amendments and new laws to take the money out of politics!
</p><p><b>Version 2: </b> (votes for: Andy, Susi, Nina)<br />
Corporate money floods the election process without limits or meaningful regulations. Many lawmakers spend over half their time fundraising for the next election and listen more to money than to us.
</p><p>Join us in creating new laws to take the money out of politics!
</p><p><br />
<b>Slogan ideas</b> <br />
</p>
<ul><li> Reclaiming our democracy (votes for: Andy, Susi)
</li><li> Taking back congress from the 1%
</li><li> End corporate personhood
</li><li> End institutionalized bribery
</li></ul>
<p><b>Contact info:</b> what should we put here? I have fixcitizensunited@gmail.com, but at least for the moment, I'm the only one that reads it. That may not be ideal.
</p>
<h2> Background Information: </h2>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion">Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion</a></h4>
<p>The minority dissenting opinion quoted at this link gives arguments against the Supreme Court's majority opinion. After a summary, the opinion continues (not quoted here,) describing in detail the laws and rulings related to corporate personhood.
</p><p>Under U.S. law, a corporation is a "corporate veil," protecting individuals inside a company from being prosecuted for the actions of the business. In 1886 the U.S. Supreme Court decided that corporations are entitled to many rights accorded to citizens, in its decision of <i>Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Rail Road Co.</i>
</p><p>In 1907 Congress passed the Tillman Act, prohibiting corporations from donating money directly to national political campaigns. This still holds, but in January 2010 the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 (in <i>Citizens United v. FEC</i>) that corporations can spend unlimited amounts on political advertisements as long as they don't directly coordinate that spending with an actual candidate.
</p><p>The <i>Citizens United v. FEC</i> decision invalidated protections that had existed in Massachusetts General Law, according to a March, 2010 ruling of the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Many bills are now being introduced in Massachusetts and at the federal level to counteract the wide effects of last year's Supreme Court decision by restricting corporate money from influencing politics.
</p>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Campaign Finance Legislation">Campaign Finance Legislation</a> (passed and pending)</h4>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Politicians and Candidates">Politicians and Candidates</a></h4>
<p><a href="http://www.cfinst.org/data.aspx">Campaign Finance Institute (Nonpartisan? Resource)</a>
</p><p><a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67460.html">Jack Abramoff: How to End Corruption </a>(in Politico.com)
</p>
<h2> Groups Outside Occupy Boston (In alphabetical order) </h2>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=pjgaqjhni0freohoui3tbiqj5k%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York">Calendar of Boston-Events </a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4764307">Common Cause</a> Common Cause is working diligently to expose the role of special interests, and promote reforms that put democracy back in the hands of "we the people."
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.coffeepartyusa.com">Coffee Party USA</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/bostoncoffeeparty">Boston Coffee Party</a> "The nonpartisan national Coffee Party movement is a call to action, to make government more accountable to the people.  The Greater Boston chapter focuses on state and local issues, in addition to participating in national Coffee Party campaign.  We are currently working for passage of key state legislation in two areas: money in politics, and civic education."  Contact <a href="mailto:coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com">coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com</a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.democracyfund.org/">Democracy Fund</a> "Democracy Fund is a new operating foundation created to dramatically increase the funding, strategic focus, effectiveness and coordination of existing and emerging efforts to curb the undue influence of corporate lobbyists over the U.S. political process. " Contact <a href="mailto:info@democracyfund.org">info@democracyfund.org</a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Democracy is for People</a> related to Public Citizen. The propose a constitutional amendment to ban money to corporate electioneering. In addition, they are pursuing several reforms. Public financing of elections, a shareholder protection act and a constitutional amendment go together as a package response to rein in the excessive influence that unrestricted, massive corporate expenditures can exert over our democracy. A constitutional amendment offers the long-term solution to address the other damaging effects on our society of treating corporations as if they’re entitled to the same rights to express themselves as real people.
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://freespeechforpeople.org/">Free Speech for People</a> Proposes the following amendment:
</p>
<ul><li> Section 1. We the people who ordain and establish this Constitution intend the rights protected by this Constitution to be the rights of natural persons.
</li><li> Section 2. People, person, or persons as used in this Constitution does not include corporations, limited liability companies or other corporate entities established by the laws of any state, the United States, or any foreign state, and such corporate entities are subject to such regulation as the people, through their elected state and federal representatives, deem reasonable and are otherwise consistent with the powers of Congress and the States under this Constitution.
</li><li> Section 3. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit the people's rights of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, free exercise of religion, and such other rights of the people, which rights are inalienable."
</li></ul>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.getmoneyout.com/">Get Money Out</a> Supports a constitutional amendment: "No person, corporation or business entity of any type, domestic or foreign, shall be allowed to contribute money, directly or indirectly, to any candidate for Federal office or to contribute money on behalf of or opposed to any type of campaign for Federal office. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, campaign contributions to candidates for Federal office shall not constitute speech of any kind as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution or any amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Congress shall set forth a federal holiday for the purposes of voting for candidates for Federal office"
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://movetoamend.org">Move to Amend</a>  We, the People of the United States of America, reject the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United, and move to amend our Constitution to:
</p>
<ul><li>Firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.
</li><li>Guarantee the right to vote and to participate, and to have our vote and participation count.
</li><li>Protect local communities, their economies, and democracies against illegitimate "preemption" actions by global, national, and state governments.
</li></ul>
<p>The Supreme Court is misguided in principle, and wrong on the law. In a democracy, the people rule. We Move to Amend.
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.pfaw.org/GovernmentByThePeople">People for the American Way</a> "The Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC threatens to tear apart the fabric of our democracy and grant powerful corporations unfettered influence in our political process. It's a drastic departure from previous law and our core values as a nation and it must be met with an appropriate response."
</p>
<hr />
<p>Public Citizen (sponsors <a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Democracy is for People</a> above)
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.rootstrikers.org/">Rootstrikers</a>
"Our republic is dangerously out of balance. Well-financed special interests routinely bend the levers of power to benefit the few at the expense of our general welfare. Political bribery has been legalized by the courts, and both major parties have been co-opted and corrupted by the system... Rootstrikers is aimed at restoring power over American politics and government to 100% of the people. We hope patriots of all political persuasions will join us to help build an unstoppable grassroots movement that demands and delivers lasting reforms."
</p>
<hr />
<h3> Key Local Experts and Opinion Leaders</h3>
<ul><li> <a href="http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/directory/index.html?id=888&show=bibliography">Lawrence Lessig</a> - Harvard Law Professor, Founder of <a href="http://www.rootstrikers.org/">Rootstrikers</a>, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Republic-Lost-Money-Corrupts-Congress/dp/0446576433">Republic Lost</a>. Contact: Admin <a href="mailto:szelena@rootstrikers.org">Szelena Gray</a>
</li></ul>
<ul><li>Julius Levine - BU Law Professor Emeritus, long time Brookline political activist
</li></ul>
<p>  
</p>
<h2> Occupy the Courts (January 20-21, 2012) </h2>
<p>Currently, this event is in the planning stage. Some ideas include:
</p>
<h3> Event Ideas </h3>
<p>FIRST PLANNING MEETING: Wednesday, December 7th, 7pm, Biddy Early's Pub, 141 Pearl St., Boston - near Dewey Sq.
</p>
<ul><li> RALLY - This would require a main stage and a program that would include a mix of relevant speakers, musicians, comedians and entertainment. There will be space for groups like Rootstrikers.org, Move to Amend, Common Cause, League of Women Voters and even the opposition to come and lobby the PEOPLE. There will also be non-partisan educational exhibits and activities geared toward children and adults. Each elected official will also be given a "tent" space, so that they can meet and greet their constituents and participate in the occupation as well. The purpose of the rally is to create an interactive and educational event where people can have an opportunity to learn how money in politics negatively affects our lives and how WE CAN FIX IT!
</li></ul>
<ul><li> SUMMIT - the summit would be a bicameral convention with one house working toward local reforms and the other working toward federal reforms. There is consensus among a large number of people that an amendment would be beneficial to reform. There are six amendments and counting sitting in Congress now and several other groups proposing their own. Let's put all of those ideas together, and see if we can make them one.
</li></ul>
<ul><li> STREET THEATER MONOPOLY SKIT - A creative, engaging street theater skit based on the Monopoly game designed to emphasize the correlation between corporate funding, campaign finance and financial ties to lobbying, making the case that our politicians, the supreme court, and essentially the entire American Gov't can be "bought and sold". Seeking creatives to work on this initiative. Needed: Writers to help develop the concept into an even more hilarious poignant skit, actors and actresses including ideally a professional auctioneer, artists to assist with costuming and props, photographers and filmmakers to document the action, any and all interested folks who want to get their creative juices flowing and are willing to play a role even as simple as carrying a sign as a backdrop. :) A grant application is in the works for funding to make this piece a truly awesome experience that you won't want to miss! The skit will be done in conjunction with the other actions that weekend. Please contact Jenn via jennjoy75 at gmail dot com with your availability for the meeting and/or for more information.
</li></ul>
<ul><li> OTHER IDEAS?
</li></ul>
<h3> Questions </h3>
<ul><li> What is the main purpose? 1) To engage the public to draw attention to the issue? 2) To unite the different campaign finance reform groups around Boston? Other?
</li><li> Which events should occur on which days? In particular, would the rally be better on Friday or Saturday?
</li></ul>

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)

2011-12-10T17:31:53Z

Stewart76:

<h2> Contact for Working Group "Citizens United to End Political Bribery" </h2>
<p>Honi Sanders: sandersh6000 at gmail dot com
</p><p>You can sign up to receive emails at <a href="https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited">https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited</a>
 
</p><p><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/campaignfinancereformus/calendar-of-events?pli=1">Calendar of Events</a>
</p><p> 
Citizens United to End Political Bribery (CUEPB) is a Working Group formed to pursue goals related to getting corporate money out of politics.  We will focus on realistic actions in Massachusetts, but will also extend our efforts to nationwide politics when we can.  This wiki page and its subsidiary pages will be our place to collect information and discuss ideas before bringing proposals to Occupy Boston General Assembly.  Everything here should be considered a draft, unless conspicuously labeled otherwise.  To participate, come to one of our scheduled meetings or comment on the discussion tab for a page.  You can also edit a page, but we'd like to know who's involved, so please introduce yourself somewhere in some fashion.
</p>
<h2> Meetings:<br /> </h2>
<p>Next Meeting will be: Wednesday, December 7th, 7pm BIddy Early's Pub, 141 Pearl St., near Dewey Sq. If you're interested, comment here or sign up and inquire on the listserve link shown above.
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 30 BAAC Meeting">Notes from Nov. 30 BAAC Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 22 CUEPB Meeting">Notes from Nov. 22 CUEPB Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 16 CUEPB Meeting">Notes from Nov. 16 CUEPB Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29">Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Minutes from Nov. 1">Minutes from Nov. 1</a>
</p><p> 
</p>
<h2> Saturday Dec. 10 3:00 pm lecture has been moved to 5:00 pm on the common </h2> </p>

<h2> Lecture & Open Discussion Series </h2>
Saturday Dec. 10 3:00PM <br>
Donna Palermino: "Pay to Play: A History of Citizens United and How to Get Corporate Money out of Politics" <br>
Donna is a Civil Liberties and Free Speech Professor at Boston University and Suffolk University. This will be a lecture on the history of Supreme Court ruling and how this decision has impacted elections.

Sunday Dec. 11 3:30PM <br>
Jules Levine: "Public Financing of Election Campaigns -- A Way Station; Fair, Just and Good Government--Our Destination" <br>
Jules is a practicing Law Professor at Boston University. He was actively involved in the MA Public Financing System brought to the State House in the 90's, and continues to promote the public financing of elections in Massachusetts. This lecture will provide a brief history of the reforms in MA, and also touch on the benefits and cost-savings this system would provide.

<h2> Next Steps Agreed on: </h2>
<p>Work with Jenn on a <a _fcknotitle="true" href="WG/Strategies/CUEPB/1% Monopoly">WG/Strategies/CUEPB/1% Monopoly</a> street theatre event in Boston for Friday, January 20 to publicize the anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. FEC. This demonstration will be the Boston activity for the one-day demonstration at federal courthouses across the country, including the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. The nationwide event is organized by Move To Amend (see link at bottom of page under "Other Groups." The CUEPB Working Group supports the Boston effort and will prepare a proposal to GA endorsing this event once more details are determined.
</p><p>Analyze and discuss pending legislation on the wiki in order to decide what proposed state and/or federal legislation we support. Edit the <a _fcknotitle="true" href="Campaign Finance Legislation">Campaign Finance Legislation</a> page to add links, summarize what's in a link and/or discuss your opinions about proposed bills. We will also draw on knowledge from other citizen action groups to get up to speed quickly on the campaign reform options.
</p><p>Build collaboration with other local groups, listed below on this page, who are working to change campaign funding.
</p><p>Continue to gather interested people - People are invited to participate here and/or email sandersh6000@gmail.com to identify themselves as part of this Working Group.
</p><p><br />
</p>
<h3> Other Ideas Not Endorsed in a Meeting: </h3>
<p>Prepare a proposal to GA endorsing <a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Public Citizen's</a> action on the anniversary of Citizens United (January 21, 2012). Occupy the Corporations will be an action on Saturday, January 21, when people either occupy or hold an event outside of a corporate target – primarily at Bank of America or British Petroleum locations. Activists there will make a citizen arrest of the corporation (e.g., a sign or other non-human stand-in) for infringing upon our democracy. Those who wish to can then march to their city or town hall and ask their elected officials to support them in calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.
</p>
<h2> Sub-topics:  </h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/SPP_End_Corporate_Personhood">End Corporate Personhood</a>
</li></ul>
<p>  
</p>
<h3> Business Card Ideas </h3>
<p><b>Front</b>: <br />
[slogan] <br />
learn more at <br />
www.campaignfinancereform.us <br />
[contact info] <br />
</p><p><b>Back</b>: informative text explaining the movement. <br />
</p><p><b>Version 1: <br /></b>
Many legislators spend over half their time raising money for their next campaign. With the recent Citizens United ruling by the Supreme Court, corporations can now spend unlimited and unregulated amounts of money on elections. The tremendous amount of time and money that goes into fundraising warps our government's ability to listen to the people. Join us in creating constitutional amendments and new laws to take the money out of politics!
</p><p><b>Version 2: </b> (votes for: Andy, Susi, Nina)<br />
Corporate money floods the election process without limits or meaningful regulations. Many lawmakers spend over half their time fundraising for the next election and listen more to money than to us.
</p><p>Join us in creating new laws to take the money out of politics!
</p><p><br />
<b>Slogan ideas</b> <br />
</p>
<ul><li> Reclaiming our democracy (votes for: Andy, Susi)
</li><li> Taking back congress from the 1%
</li><li> End corporate personhood
</li><li> End institutionalized bribery
</li></ul>
<p><b>Contact info:</b> what should we put here? I have fixcitizensunited@gmail.com, but at least for the moment, I'm the only one that reads it. That may not be ideal.
</p>
<h2> Background Information: </h2>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion">Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion</a></h4>
<p>The minority dissenting opinion quoted at this link gives arguments against the Supreme Court's majority opinion. After a summary, the opinion continues (not quoted here,) describing in detail the laws and rulings related to corporate personhood.
</p><p>Under U.S. law, a corporation is a "corporate veil," protecting individuals inside a company from being prosecuted for the actions of the business. In 1886 the U.S. Supreme Court decided that corporations are entitled to many rights accorded to citizens, in its decision of <i>Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Rail Road Co.</i>
</p><p>In 1907 Congress passed the Tillman Act, prohibiting corporations from donating money directly to national political campaigns. This still holds, but in January 2010 the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 (in <i>Citizens United v. FEC</i>) that corporations can spend unlimited amounts on political advertisements as long as they don't directly coordinate that spending with an actual candidate.
</p><p>The <i>Citizens United v. FEC</i> decision invalidated protections that had existed in Massachusetts General Law, according to a March, 2010 ruling of the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Many bills are now being introduced in Massachusetts and at the federal level to counteract the wide effects of last year's Supreme Court decision by restricting corporate money from influencing politics.
</p>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Campaign Finance Legislation">Campaign Finance Legislation</a> (passed and pending)</h4>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Politicians and Candidates">Politicians and Candidates</a></h4>
<p><a href="http://www.cfinst.org/data.aspx">Campaign Finance Institute (Nonpartisan? Resource)</a>
</p><p><a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67460.html">Jack Abramoff: How to End Corruption </a>(in Politico.com)
</p>
<h2> Groups Outside Occupy Boston (In alphabetical order) </h2>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=pjgaqjhni0freohoui3tbiqj5k%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York">Calendar of Boston-Events </a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4764307">Common Cause</a> Common Cause is working diligently to expose the role of special interests, and promote reforms that put democracy back in the hands of "we the people."
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.coffeepartyusa.com">Coffee Party USA</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/bostoncoffeeparty">Boston Coffee Party</a> "The nonpartisan national Coffee Party movement is a call to action, to make government more accountable to the people.  The Greater Boston chapter focuses on state and local issues, in addition to participating in national Coffee Party campaign.  We are currently working for passage of key state legislation in two areas: money in politics, and civic education."  Contact <a href="mailto:coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com">coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com</a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.democracyfund.org/">Democracy Fund</a> "Democracy Fund is a new operating foundation created to dramatically increase the funding, strategic focus, effectiveness and coordination of existing and emerging efforts to curb the undue influence of corporate lobbyists over the U.S. political process. " Contact <a href="mailto:info@democracyfund.org">info@democracyfund.org</a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Democracy is for People</a> related to Public Citizen. The propose a constitutional amendment to ban money to corporate electioneering. In addition, they are pursuing several reforms. Public financing of elections, a shareholder protection act and a constitutional amendment go together as a package response to rein in the excessive influence that unrestricted, massive corporate expenditures can exert over our democracy. A constitutional amendment offers the long-term solution to address the other damaging effects on our society of treating corporations as if they’re entitled to the same rights to express themselves as real people.
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://freespeechforpeople.org/">Free Speech for People</a> Proposes the following amendment:
</p>
<ul><li> Section 1. We the people who ordain and establish this Constitution intend the rights protected by this Constitution to be the rights of natural persons.
</li><li> Section 2. People, person, or persons as used in this Constitution does not include corporations, limited liability companies or other corporate entities established by the laws of any state, the United States, or any foreign state, and such corporate entities are subject to such regulation as the people, through their elected state and federal representatives, deem reasonable and are otherwise consistent with the powers of Congress and the States under this Constitution.
</li><li> Section 3. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit the people's rights of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, free exercise of religion, and such other rights of the people, which rights are inalienable."
</li></ul>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.getmoneyout.com/">Get Money Out</a> Supports a constitutional amendment: "No person, corporation or business entity of any type, domestic or foreign, shall be allowed to contribute money, directly or indirectly, to any candidate for Federal office or to contribute money on behalf of or opposed to any type of campaign for Federal office. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, campaign contributions to candidates for Federal office shall not constitute speech of any kind as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution or any amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Congress shall set forth a federal holiday for the purposes of voting for candidates for Federal office"
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://movetoamend.org">Move to Amend</a>  We, the People of the United States of America, reject the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United, and move to amend our Constitution to:
</p>
<ul><li>Firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.
</li><li>Guarantee the right to vote and to participate, and to have our vote and participation count.
</li><li>Protect local communities, their economies, and democracies against illegitimate "preemption" actions by global, national, and state governments.
</li></ul>
<p>The Supreme Court is misguided in principle, and wrong on the law. In a democracy, the people rule. We Move to Amend.
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.pfaw.org/GovernmentByThePeople">People for the American Way</a> "The Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC threatens to tear apart the fabric of our democracy and grant powerful corporations unfettered influence in our political process. It's a drastic departure from previous law and our core values as a nation and it must be met with an appropriate response."
</p>
<hr />
<p>Public Citizen (sponsors <a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Democracy is for People</a> above)
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.rootstrikers.org/">Rootstrikers</a>
"Our republic is dangerously out of balance. Well-financed special interests routinely bend the levers of power to benefit the few at the expense of our general welfare. Political bribery has been legalized by the courts, and both major parties have been co-opted and corrupted by the system... Rootstrikers is aimed at restoring power over American politics and government to 100% of the people. We hope patriots of all political persuasions will join us to help build an unstoppable grassroots movement that demands and delivers lasting reforms."
</p>
<hr />
<h3> Key Local Experts and Opinion Leaders</h3>
<ul><li> <a href="http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/directory/index.html?id=888&show=bibliography">Lawrence Lessig</a> - Harvard Law Professor, Founder of <a href="http://www.rootstrikers.org/">Rootstrikers</a>, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Republic-Lost-Money-Corrupts-Congress/dp/0446576433">Republic Lost</a>. Contact: Admin <a href="mailto:szelena@rootstrikers.org">Szelena Gray</a>
</li></ul>
<ul><li>Julius Levine - BU Law Professor Emeritus, long time Brookline political activist
</li></ul>
<p>  
</p>
<h2> Occupy the Courts (January 20-21, 2012) </h2>
<p>Currently, this event is in the planning stage. Some ideas include:
</p>
<h3> Event Ideas </h3>
<p>FIRST PLANNING MEETING: Wednesday, December 7th, 7pm, Biddy Early's Pub, 141 Pearl St., Boston - near Dewey Sq.
</p>
<ul><li> RALLY - This would require a main stage and a program that would include a mix of relevant speakers, musicians, comedians and entertainment. There will be space for groups like Rootstrikers.org, Move to Amend, Common Cause, League of Women Voters and even the opposition to come and lobby the PEOPLE. There will also be non-partisan educational exhibits and activities geared toward children and adults. Each elected official will also be given a "tent" space, so that they can meet and greet their constituents and participate in the occupation as well. The purpose of the rally is to create an interactive and educational event where people can have an opportunity to learn how money in politics negatively affects our lives and how WE CAN FIX IT!
</li></ul>
<ul><li> SUMMIT - the summit would be a bicameral convention with one house working toward local reforms and the other working toward federal reforms. There is consensus among a large number of people that an amendment would be beneficial to reform. There are six amendments and counting sitting in Congress now and several other groups proposing their own. Let's put all of those ideas together, and see if we can make them one.
</li></ul>
<ul><li> STREET THEATER MONOPOLY SKIT - A creative, engaging street theater skit based on the Monopoly game designed to emphasize the correlation between corporate funding, campaign finance and financial ties to lobbying, making the case that our politicians, the supreme court, and essentially the entire American Gov't can be "bought and sold". Seeking creatives to work on this initiative. Needed: Writers to help develop the concept into an even more hilarious poignant skit, actors and actresses including ideally a professional auctioneer, artists to assist with costuming and props, photographers and filmmakers to document the action, any and all interested folks who want to get their creative juices flowing and are willing to play a role even as simple as carrying a sign as a backdrop. :) A grant application is in the works for funding to make this piece a truly awesome experience that you won't want to miss! The skit will be done in conjunction with the other actions that weekend. Please contact Jenn via jennjoy75 at gmail dot com with your availability for the meeting and/or for more information.
</li></ul>
<ul><li> OTHER IDEAS?
</li></ul>
<h3> Questions </h3>
<ul><li> What is the main purpose? 1) To engage the public to draw attention to the issue? 2) To unite the different campaign finance reform groups around Boston? Other?
</li><li> Which events should occur on which days? In particular, would the rally be better on Friday or Saturday?
</li></ul>

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)

2011-12-10T17:27:53Z

Stewart76:

<h2> Contact for Working Group "Citizens United to End Political Bribery" </h2>
<p>Honi Sanders: sandersh6000 at gmail dot com
</p><p>You can sign up to receive emails at <a href="https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited">https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited</a>
 
</p><p><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/campaignfinancereformus/calendar-of-events?pli=1">Calendar of Events</a>
</p><p> 
Citizens United to End Political Bribery (CUEPB) is a Working Group formed to pursue goals related to getting corporate money out of politics.  We will focus on realistic actions in Massachusetts, but will also extend our efforts to nationwide politics when we can.  This wiki page and its subsidiary pages will be our place to collect information and discuss ideas before bringing proposals to Occupy Boston General Assembly.  Everything here should be considered a draft, unless conspicuously labeled otherwise.  To participate, come to one of our scheduled meetings or comment on the discussion tab for a page.  You can also edit a page, but we'd like to know who's involved, so please introduce yourself somewhere in some fashion.
</p>
<h2> Meetings:<br /> </h2>
<p>Next Meeting will be: Wednesday, December 7th, 7pm BIddy Early's Pub, 141 Pearl St., near Dewey Sq. If you're interested, comment here or sign up and inquire on the listserve link shown above.
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 30 BAAC Meeting">Notes from Nov. 30 BAAC Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 22 CUEPB Meeting">Notes from Nov. 22 CUEPB Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 16 CUEPB Meeting">Notes from Nov. 16 CUEPB Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29">Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Minutes from Nov. 1">Minutes from Nov. 1</a>
</p><p> 
</p>
<h2> 3:00 pm lecture moved to 5:00 pm on the common<\h2>

<h2> Lecture & Open Discussion Series </h2>
Saturday Dec. 10 3:00PM <br>
Donna Palermino: "Pay to Play: A History of Citizens United and How to Get Corporate Money out of Politics" <br>
Donna is a Civil Liberties and Free Speech Professor at Boston University and Suffolk University. This will be a lecture on the history of Supreme Court ruling and how this decision has impacted elections.

Sunday Dec. 11 3:30PM <br>
Jules Levine: "Public Financing of Election Campaigns -- A Way Station; Fair, Just and Good Government--Our Destination" <br>
Jules is a practicing Law Professor at Boston University. He was actively involved in the MA Public Financing System brought to the State House in the 90's, and continues to promote the public financing of elections in Massachusetts. This lecture will provide a brief history of the reforms in MA, and also touch on the benefits and cost-savings this system would provide.

<h2> Next Steps Agreed on: </h2>
<p>Work with Jenn on a <a _fcknotitle="true" href="WG/Strategies/CUEPB/1% Monopoly">WG/Strategies/CUEPB/1% Monopoly</a> street theatre event in Boston for Friday, January 20 to publicize the anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. FEC. This demonstration will be the Boston activity for the one-day demonstration at federal courthouses across the country, including the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. The nationwide event is organized by Move To Amend (see link at bottom of page under "Other Groups." The CUEPB Working Group supports the Boston effort and will prepare a proposal to GA endorsing this event once more details are determined.
</p><p>Analyze and discuss pending legislation on the wiki in order to decide what proposed state and/or federal legislation we support. Edit the <a _fcknotitle="true" href="Campaign Finance Legislation">Campaign Finance Legislation</a> page to add links, summarize what's in a link and/or discuss your opinions about proposed bills. We will also draw on knowledge from other citizen action groups to get up to speed quickly on the campaign reform options.
</p><p>Build collaboration with other local groups, listed below on this page, who are working to change campaign funding.
</p><p>Continue to gather interested people - People are invited to participate here and/or email sandersh6000@gmail.com to identify themselves as part of this Working Group.
</p><p><br />
</p>
<h3> Other Ideas Not Endorsed in a Meeting: </h3>
<p>Prepare a proposal to GA endorsing <a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Public Citizen's</a> action on the anniversary of Citizens United (January 21, 2012). Occupy the Corporations will be an action on Saturday, January 21, when people either occupy or hold an event outside of a corporate target – primarily at Bank of America or British Petroleum locations. Activists there will make a citizen arrest of the corporation (e.g., a sign or other non-human stand-in) for infringing upon our democracy. Those who wish to can then march to their city or town hall and ask their elected officials to support them in calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.
</p>
<h2> Sub-topics:  </h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/SPP_End_Corporate_Personhood">End Corporate Personhood</a>
</li></ul>
<p>  
</p>
<h3> Business Card Ideas </h3>
<p><b>Front</b>: <br />
[slogan] <br />
learn more at <br />
www.campaignfinancereform.us <br />
[contact info] <br />
</p><p><b>Back</b>: informative text explaining the movement. <br />
</p><p><b>Version 1: <br /></b>
Many legislators spend over half their time raising money for their next campaign. With the recent Citizens United ruling by the Supreme Court, corporations can now spend unlimited and unregulated amounts of money on elections. The tremendous amount of time and money that goes into fundraising warps our government's ability to listen to the people. Join us in creating constitutional amendments and new laws to take the money out of politics!
</p><p><b>Version 2: </b> (votes for: Andy, Susi, Nina)<br />
Corporate money floods the election process without limits or meaningful regulations. Many lawmakers spend over half their time fundraising for the next election and listen more to money than to us.
</p><p>Join us in creating new laws to take the money out of politics!
</p><p><br />
<b>Slogan ideas</b> <br />
</p>
<ul><li> Reclaiming our democracy (votes for: Andy, Susi)
</li><li> Taking back congress from the 1%
</li><li> End corporate personhood
</li><li> End institutionalized bribery
</li></ul>
<p><b>Contact info:</b> what should we put here? I have fixcitizensunited@gmail.com, but at least for the moment, I'm the only one that reads it. That may not be ideal.
</p>
<h2> Background Information: </h2>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion">Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion</a></h4>
<p>The minority dissenting opinion quoted at this link gives arguments against the Supreme Court's majority opinion. After a summary, the opinion continues (not quoted here,) describing in detail the laws and rulings related to corporate personhood.
</p><p>Under U.S. law, a corporation is a "corporate veil," protecting individuals inside a company from being prosecuted for the actions of the business. In 1886 the U.S. Supreme Court decided that corporations are entitled to many rights accorded to citizens, in its decision of <i>Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Rail Road Co.</i>
</p><p>In 1907 Congress passed the Tillman Act, prohibiting corporations from donating money directly to national political campaigns. This still holds, but in January 2010 the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 (in <i>Citizens United v. FEC</i>) that corporations can spend unlimited amounts on political advertisements as long as they don't directly coordinate that spending with an actual candidate.
</p><p>The <i>Citizens United v. FEC</i> decision invalidated protections that had existed in Massachusetts General Law, according to a March, 2010 ruling of the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Many bills are now being introduced in Massachusetts and at the federal level to counteract the wide effects of last year's Supreme Court decision by restricting corporate money from influencing politics.
</p>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Campaign Finance Legislation">Campaign Finance Legislation</a> (passed and pending)</h4>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Politicians and Candidates">Politicians and Candidates</a></h4>
<p><a href="http://www.cfinst.org/data.aspx">Campaign Finance Institute (Nonpartisan? Resource)</a>
</p><p><a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67460.html">Jack Abramoff: How to End Corruption </a>(in Politico.com)
</p>
<h2> Groups Outside Occupy Boston (In alphabetical order) </h2>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=pjgaqjhni0freohoui3tbiqj5k%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York">Calendar of Boston-Events </a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4764307">Common Cause</a> Common Cause is working diligently to expose the role of special interests, and promote reforms that put democracy back in the hands of "we the people."
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.coffeepartyusa.com">Coffee Party USA</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/bostoncoffeeparty">Boston Coffee Party</a> "The nonpartisan national Coffee Party movement is a call to action, to make government more accountable to the people.  The Greater Boston chapter focuses on state and local issues, in addition to participating in national Coffee Party campaign.  We are currently working for passage of key state legislation in two areas: money in politics, and civic education."  Contact <a href="mailto:coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com">coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com</a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.democracyfund.org/">Democracy Fund</a> "Democracy Fund is a new operating foundation created to dramatically increase the funding, strategic focus, effectiveness and coordination of existing and emerging efforts to curb the undue influence of corporate lobbyists over the U.S. political process. " Contact <a href="mailto:info@democracyfund.org">info@democracyfund.org</a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Democracy is for People</a> related to Public Citizen. The propose a constitutional amendment to ban money to corporate electioneering. In addition, they are pursuing several reforms. Public financing of elections, a shareholder protection act and a constitutional amendment go together as a package response to rein in the excessive influence that unrestricted, massive corporate expenditures can exert over our democracy. A constitutional amendment offers the long-term solution to address the other damaging effects on our society of treating corporations as if they’re entitled to the same rights to express themselves as real people.
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://freespeechforpeople.org/">Free Speech for People</a> Proposes the following amendment:
</p>
<ul><li> Section 1. We the people who ordain and establish this Constitution intend the rights protected by this Constitution to be the rights of natural persons.
</li><li> Section 2. People, person, or persons as used in this Constitution does not include corporations, limited liability companies or other corporate entities established by the laws of any state, the United States, or any foreign state, and such corporate entities are subject to such regulation as the people, through their elected state and federal representatives, deem reasonable and are otherwise consistent with the powers of Congress and the States under this Constitution.
</li><li> Section 3. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit the people's rights of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, free exercise of religion, and such other rights of the people, which rights are inalienable."
</li></ul>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.getmoneyout.com/">Get Money Out</a> Supports a constitutional amendment: "No person, corporation or business entity of any type, domestic or foreign, shall be allowed to contribute money, directly or indirectly, to any candidate for Federal office or to contribute money on behalf of or opposed to any type of campaign for Federal office. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, campaign contributions to candidates for Federal office shall not constitute speech of any kind as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution or any amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Congress shall set forth a federal holiday for the purposes of voting for candidates for Federal office"
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://movetoamend.org">Move to Amend</a>  We, the People of the United States of America, reject the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United, and move to amend our Constitution to:
</p>
<ul><li>Firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.
</li><li>Guarantee the right to vote and to participate, and to have our vote and participation count.
</li><li>Protect local communities, their economies, and democracies against illegitimate "preemption" actions by global, national, and state governments.
</li></ul>
<p>The Supreme Court is misguided in principle, and wrong on the law. In a democracy, the people rule. We Move to Amend.
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.pfaw.org/GovernmentByThePeople">People for the American Way</a> "The Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC threatens to tear apart the fabric of our democracy and grant powerful corporations unfettered influence in our political process. It's a drastic departure from previous law and our core values as a nation and it must be met with an appropriate response."
</p>
<hr />
<p>Public Citizen (sponsors <a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Democracy is for People</a> above)
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.rootstrikers.org/">Rootstrikers</a>
"Our republic is dangerously out of balance. Well-financed special interests routinely bend the levers of power to benefit the few at the expense of our general welfare. Political bribery has been legalized by the courts, and both major parties have been co-opted and corrupted by the system... Rootstrikers is aimed at restoring power over American politics and government to 100% of the people. We hope patriots of all political persuasions will join us to help build an unstoppable grassroots movement that demands and delivers lasting reforms."
</p>
<hr />
<h3> Key Local Experts and Opinion Leaders</h3>
<ul><li> <a href="http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/directory/index.html?id=888&show=bibliography">Lawrence Lessig</a> - Harvard Law Professor, Founder of <a href="http://www.rootstrikers.org/">Rootstrikers</a>, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Republic-Lost-Money-Corrupts-Congress/dp/0446576433">Republic Lost</a>. Contact: Admin <a href="mailto:szelena@rootstrikers.org">Szelena Gray</a>
</li></ul>
<ul><li>Julius Levine - BU Law Professor Emeritus, long time Brookline political activist
</li></ul>
<p>  
</p>
<h2> Occupy the Courts (January 20-21, 2012) </h2>
<p>Currently, this event is in the planning stage. Some ideas include:
</p>
<h3> Event Ideas </h3>
<p>FIRST PLANNING MEETING: Wednesday, December 7th, 7pm, Biddy Early's Pub, 141 Pearl St., Boston - near Dewey Sq.
</p>
<ul><li> RALLY - This would require a main stage and a program that would include a mix of relevant speakers, musicians, comedians and entertainment. There will be space for groups like Rootstrikers.org, Move to Amend, Common Cause, League of Women Voters and even the opposition to come and lobby the PEOPLE. There will also be non-partisan educational exhibits and activities geared toward children and adults. Each elected official will also be given a "tent" space, so that they can meet and greet their constituents and participate in the occupation as well. The purpose of the rally is to create an interactive and educational event where people can have an opportunity to learn how money in politics negatively affects our lives and how WE CAN FIX IT!
</li></ul>
<ul><li> SUMMIT - the summit would be a bicameral convention with one house working toward local reforms and the other working toward federal reforms. There is consensus among a large number of people that an amendment would be beneficial to reform. There are six amendments and counting sitting in Congress now and several other groups proposing their own. Let's put all of those ideas together, and see if we can make them one.
</li></ul>
<ul><li> STREET THEATER MONOPOLY SKIT - A creative, engaging street theater skit based on the Monopoly game designed to emphasize the correlation between corporate funding, campaign finance and financial ties to lobbying, making the case that our politicians, the supreme court, and essentially the entire American Gov't can be "bought and sold". Seeking creatives to work on this initiative. Needed: Writers to help develop the concept into an even more hilarious poignant skit, actors and actresses including ideally a professional auctioneer, artists to assist with costuming and props, photographers and filmmakers to document the action, any and all interested folks who want to get their creative juices flowing and are willing to play a role even as simple as carrying a sign as a backdrop. :) A grant application is in the works for funding to make this piece a truly awesome experience that you won't want to miss! The skit will be done in conjunction with the other actions that weekend. Please contact Jenn via jennjoy75 at gmail dot com with your availability for the meeting and/or for more information.
</li></ul>
<ul><li> OTHER IDEAS?
</li></ul>
<h3> Questions </h3>
<ul><li> What is the main purpose? 1) To engage the public to draw attention to the issue? 2) To unite the different campaign finance reform groups around Boston? Other?
</li><li> Which events should occur on which days? In particular, would the rally be better on Friday or Saturday?
</li></ul>

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)

2011-12-07T19:46:50Z

Stewart76:

<h2> Contact for Working Group "Citizens United to End Political Bribery" </h2>
<p>Honi Sanders: sandersh6000 at gmail dot com
</p><p>You can sign up to receive emails at <a href="https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited">https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited</a>
 
</p><p><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/campaignfinancereformus/calendar-of-events?pli=1">Calendar of Events</a>
</p><p> 
Citizens United to End Political Bribery (CUEPB) is a Working Group formed to pursue goals related to getting corporate money out of politics.  We will focus on realistic actions in Massachusetts, but will also extend our efforts to nationwide politics when we can.  This wiki page and its subsidiary pages will be our place to collect information and discuss ideas before bringing proposals to Occupy Boston General Assembly.  Everything here should be considered a draft, unless conspicuously labeled otherwise.  To participate, come to one of our scheduled meetings or comment on the discussion tab for a page.  You can also edit a page, but we'd like to know who's involved, so please introduce yourself somewhere in some fashion.
</p>
<h2> Meetings:<br /> </h2>
<p>Next Meeting will be: Wednesday, December 7th, 7pm BIddy Early's Pub, 141 Pearl St., near Dewey Sq. If you're interested, comment here or sign up and inquire on the listserve link shown above.
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 30 BAAC Meeting">Notes from Nov. 30 BAAC Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 22 CUEPB Meeting">Notes from Nov. 22 CUEPB Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 16 CUEPB Meeting">Notes from Nov. 16 CUEPB Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29">Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Minutes from Nov. 1">Minutes from Nov. 1</a>
</p><p> 
</p>

<h2> Lecture & Open Discussion Series </h2>
Saturday Dec. 10 3:00PM <br>
Donna Palermino: "Pay to Play: A History of Citizens United and How to Get Corporate Money out of Politics" <br>
Donna is a Civil Liberties and Free Speech Professor at Boston University and Suffolk University. This will be a lecture on the history of Supreme Court ruling and how this decision has impacted elections.

Sunday Dec. 11 3:30PM <br>
Jules Levine: "Public Financing of Election Campaigns -- A Way Station; Fair, Just and Good Government--Our Destination" <br>
Jules is a practicing Law Professor at Boston University. He was actively involved in the MA Public Financing System brought to the State House in the 90's, and continues to promote the public financing of elections in Massachusetts. This lecture will provide a brief history of the reforms in MA, and also touch on the benefits and cost-savings this system would provide.

<h2> Next Steps Agreed on: </h2>
<p>Work with Jenn on a <a _fcknotitle="true" href="WG/Strategies/CUEPB/1% Monopoly">WG/Strategies/CUEPB/1% Monopoly</a> street theatre event in Boston for Friday, January 20 to publicize the anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. FEC. This demonstration will be the Boston activity for the one-day demonstration at federal courthouses across the country, including the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. The nationwide event is organized by Move To Amend (see link at bottom of page under "Other Groups." The CUEPB Working Group supports the Boston effort and will prepare a proposal to GA endorsing this event once more details are determined.
</p><p>Analyze and discuss pending legislation on the wiki in order to decide what proposed state and/or federal legislation we support. Edit the <a _fcknotitle="true" href="Campaign Finance Legislation">Campaign Finance Legislation</a> page to add links, summarize what's in a link and/or discuss your opinions about proposed bills. We will also draw on knowledge from other citizen action groups to get up to speed quickly on the campaign reform options.
</p><p>Build collaboration with other local groups, listed below on this page, who are working to change campaign funding.
</p><p>Continue to gather interested people - People are invited to participate here and/or email sandersh6000@gmail.com to identify themselves as part of this Working Group.
</p><p><br />
</p>
<h3> Other Ideas Not Endorsed in a Meeting: </h3>
<p>Prepare a proposal to GA endorsing <a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Public Citizen's</a> action on the anniversary of Citizens United (January 21, 2012). Occupy the Corporations will be an action on Saturday, January 21, when people either occupy or hold an event outside of a corporate target – primarily at Bank of America or British Petroleum locations. Activists there will make a citizen arrest of the corporation (e.g., a sign or other non-human stand-in) for infringing upon our democracy. Those who wish to can then march to their city or town hall and ask their elected officials to support them in calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.
</p>
<h2> Sub-topics:  </h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/SPP_End_Corporate_Personhood">End Corporate Personhood</a>
</li></ul>
<p>  
</p>
<h3> Business Card Ideas </h3>
<p><b>Front</b>: <br />
[slogan] <br />
learn more at <br />
www.campaignfinancereform.us <br />
[contact info] <br />
</p><p><b>Back</b>: informative text explaining the movement. <br />
</p><p><b>Version 1: <br /></b>
Many legislators spend over half their time raising money for their next campaign. With the recent Citizens United ruling by the Supreme Court, corporations can now spend unlimited and unregulated amounts of money on elections. The tremendous amount of time and money that goes into fundraising warps our government's ability to listen to the people. Join us in creating constitutional amendments and new laws to take the money out of politics!
</p><p><b>Version 2: </b> (votes for: Andy, Susi, Nina)<br />
Corporate money floods the election process without limits or meaningful regulations. Many lawmakers spend over half their time fundraising for the next election and listen more to money than to us.
</p><p>Join us in creating new laws to take the money out of politics!
</p><p><br />
<b>Slogan ideas</b> <br />
</p>
<ul><li> Reclaiming our democracy (votes for: Andy, Susi)
</li><li> Taking back congress from the 1%
</li><li> End corporate personhood
</li><li> End institutionalized bribery
</li></ul>
<p><b>Contact info:</b> what should we put here? I have fixcitizensunited@gmail.com, but at least for the moment, I'm the only one that reads it. That may not be ideal.
</p>
<h2> Background Information: </h2>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion">Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion</a></h4>
<p>The minority dissenting opinion quoted at this link gives arguments against the Supreme Court's majority opinion. After a summary, the opinion continues (not quoted here,) describing in detail the laws and rulings related to corporate personhood.
</p><p>Under U.S. law, a corporation is a "corporate veil," protecting individuals inside a company from being prosecuted for the actions of the business. In 1886 the U.S. Supreme Court decided that corporations are entitled to many rights accorded to citizens, in its decision of <i>Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Rail Road Co.</i>
</p><p>In 1907 Congress passed the Tillman Act, prohibiting corporations from donating money directly to national political campaigns. This still holds, but in January 2010 the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 (in <i>Citizens United v. FEC</i>) that corporations can spend unlimited amounts on political advertisements as long as they don't directly coordinate that spending with an actual candidate.
</p><p>The <i>Citizens United v. FEC</i> decision invalidated protections that had existed in Massachusetts General Law, according to a March, 2010 ruling of the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Many bills are now being introduced in Massachusetts and at the federal level to counteract the wide effects of last year's Supreme Court decision by restricting corporate money from influencing politics.
</p>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Campaign Finance Legislation">Campaign Finance Legislation</a> (passed and pending)</h4>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Politicians and Candidates">Politicians and Candidates</a></h4>
<p><a href="http://www.cfinst.org/data.aspx">Campaign Finance Institute (Nonpartisan? Resource)</a>
</p><p><a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67460.html">Jack Abramoff: How to End Corruption </a>(in Politico.com)
</p>
<h2> Groups Outside Occupy Boston (In alphabetical order) </h2>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=pjgaqjhni0freohoui3tbiqj5k%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York">Calendar of Boston-Events </a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4764307">Common Cause</a> Common Cause is working diligently to expose the role of special interests, and promote reforms that put democracy back in the hands of "we the people."
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.coffeepartyusa.com">Coffee Party USA</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/bostoncoffeeparty">Boston Coffee Party</a> "The nonpartisan national Coffee Party movement is a call to action, to make government more accountable to the people.  The Greater Boston chapter focuses on state and local issues, in addition to participating in national Coffee Party campaign.  We are currently working for passage of key state legislation in two areas: money in politics, and civic education."  Contact <a href="mailto:coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com">coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com</a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.democracyfund.org/">Democracy Fund</a> "Democracy Fund is a new operating foundation created to dramatically increase the funding, strategic focus, effectiveness and coordination of existing and emerging efforts to curb the undue influence of corporate lobbyists over the U.S. political process. " Contact <a href="mailto:info@democracyfund.org">info@democracyfund.org</a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Democracy is for People</a> related to Public Citizen. The propose a constitutional amendment to ban money to corporate electioneering. In addition, they are pursuing several reforms. Public financing of elections, a shareholder protection act and a constitutional amendment go together as a package response to rein in the excessive influence that unrestricted, massive corporate expenditures can exert over our democracy. A constitutional amendment offers the long-term solution to address the other damaging effects on our society of treating corporations as if they’re entitled to the same rights to express themselves as real people.
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://freespeechforpeople.org/">Free Speech for People</a> Proposes the following amendment:
</p>
<ul><li> Section 1. We the people who ordain and establish this Constitution intend the rights protected by this Constitution to be the rights of natural persons.
</li><li> Section 2. People, person, or persons as used in this Constitution does not include corporations, limited liability companies or other corporate entities established by the laws of any state, the United States, or any foreign state, and such corporate entities are subject to such regulation as the people, through their elected state and federal representatives, deem reasonable and are otherwise consistent with the powers of Congress and the States under this Constitution.
</li><li> Section 3. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit the people's rights of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, free exercise of religion, and such other rights of the people, which rights are inalienable."
</li></ul>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.getmoneyout.com/">Get Money Out</a> Supports a constitutional amendment: "No person, corporation or business entity of any type, domestic or foreign, shall be allowed to contribute money, directly or indirectly, to any candidate for Federal office or to contribute money on behalf of or opposed to any type of campaign for Federal office. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, campaign contributions to candidates for Federal office shall not constitute speech of any kind as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution or any amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Congress shall set forth a federal holiday for the purposes of voting for candidates for Federal office"
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://movetoamend.org">Move to Amend</a>  We, the People of the United States of America, reject the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United, and move to amend our Constitution to:
</p>
<ul><li>Firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.
</li><li>Guarantee the right to vote and to participate, and to have our vote and participation count.
</li><li>Protect local communities, their economies, and democracies against illegitimate "preemption" actions by global, national, and state governments.
</li></ul>
<p>The Supreme Court is misguided in principle, and wrong on the law. In a democracy, the people rule. We Move to Amend.
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.pfaw.org/GovernmentByThePeople">People for the American Way</a> "The Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC threatens to tear apart the fabric of our democracy and grant powerful corporations unfettered influence in our political process. It's a drastic departure from previous law and our core values as a nation and it must be met with an appropriate response."
</p>
<hr />
<p>Public Citizen (sponsors <a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Democracy is for People</a> above)
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.rootstrikers.org/">Rootstrikers</a>
"Our republic is dangerously out of balance. Well-financed special interests routinely bend the levers of power to benefit the few at the expense of our general welfare. Political bribery has been legalized by the courts, and both major parties have been co-opted and corrupted by the system... Rootstrikers is aimed at restoring power over American politics and government to 100% of the people. We hope patriots of all political persuasions will join us to help build an unstoppable grassroots movement that demands and delivers lasting reforms."
</p>
<hr />
<h3> Key Local Experts and Opinion Leaders</h3>
<ul><li> <a href="http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/directory/index.html?id=888&show=bibliography">Lawrence Lessig</a> - Harvard Law Professor, Founder of <a href="http://www.rootstrikers.org/">Rootstrikers</a>, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Republic-Lost-Money-Corrupts-Congress/dp/0446576433">Republic Lost</a>. Contact: Admin <a href="mailto:szelena@rootstrikers.org">Szelena Gray</a>
</li></ul>
<ul><li>Julius Levine - BU Law Professor Emeritus, long time Brookline political activist
</li></ul>
<p>  
</p>
<h2> Occupy the Courts (January 20-21, 2012) </h2>
<p>Currently, this event is in the planning stage. Some ideas include:
</p>
<h3> Event Ideas </h3>
<p>FIRST PLANNING MEETING: Wednesday, December 7th, 7pm, Biddy Early's Pub, 141 Pearl St., Boston - near Dewey Sq.
</p>
<ul><li> RALLY - This would require a main stage and a program that would include a mix of relevant speakers, musicians, comedians and entertainment. There will be space for groups like Rootstrikers.org, Move to Amend, Common Cause, League of Women Voters and even the opposition to come and lobby the PEOPLE. There will also be non-partisan educational exhibits and activities geared toward children and adults. Each elected official will also be given a "tent" space, so that they can meet and greet their constituents and participate in the occupation as well. The purpose of the rally is to create an interactive and educational event where people can have an opportunity to learn how money in politics negatively affects our lives and how WE CAN FIX IT!
</li></ul>
<ul><li> SUMMIT - the summit would be a bicameral convention with one house working toward local reforms and the other working toward federal reforms. There is consensus among a large number of people that an amendment would be beneficial to reform. There are six amendments and counting sitting in Congress now and several other groups proposing their own. Let's put all of those ideas together, and see if we can make them one.
</li></ul>
<ul><li> STREET THEATER MONOPOLY SKIT - A creative, engaging street theater skit based on the Monopoly game designed to emphasize the correlation between corporate funding, campaign finance and financial ties to lobbying, making the case that our politicians, the supreme court, and essentially the entire American Gov't can be "bought and sold". Seeking creatives to work on this initiative. Needed: Writers to help develop the concept into an even more hilarious poignant skit, actors and actresses including ideally a professional auctioneer, artists to assist with costuming and props, photographers and filmmakers to document the action, any and all interested folks who want to get their creative juices flowing and are willing to play a role even as simple as carrying a sign as a backdrop. :) A grant application is in the works for funding to make this piece a truly awesome experience that you won't want to miss! The skit will be done in conjunction with the other actions that weekend. Please contact Jenn via jennjoy75 at gmail dot com with your availability for the meeting and/or for more information.
</li></ul>
<ul><li> OTHER IDEAS?
</li></ul>
<h3> Questions </h3>
<ul><li> What is the main purpose? 1) To engage the public to draw attention to the issue? 2) To unite the different campaign finance reform groups around Boston? Other?
</li><li> Which events should occur on which days? In particular, would the rally be better on Friday or Saturday?
</li></ul>

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)

2011-12-07T07:31:03Z

Stewart76:

<h2> Contact for Working Group "Citizens United to End Political Bribery" </h2>
<p>Honi Sanders: sandersh6000 at gmail dot com
</p><p>You can sign up to receive emails at <a href="https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited">https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited</a>
 
</p><p><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/campaignfinancereformus/calendar-of-events?pli=1">Calendar of Events</a>
</p><p> 
Citizens United to End Political Bribery (CUEPB) is a Working Group formed to pursue goals related to getting corporate money out of politics.  We will focus on realistic actions in Massachusetts, but will also extend our efforts to nationwide politics when we can.  This wiki page and its subsidiary pages will be our place to collect information and discuss ideas before bringing proposals to Occupy Boston General Assembly.  Everything here should be considered a draft, unless conspicuously labeled otherwise.  To participate, come to one of our scheduled meetings or comment on the discussion tab for a page.  You can also edit a page, but we'd like to know who's involved, so please introduce yourself somewhere in some fashion.
</p>
<h2> Meetings:<br /> </h2>
<p>Next Meeting will be: Wednesday, December 7th, 7pm BIddy Early's Pub, 141 Pearl St., near Dewey Sq. If you're interested, comment here or sign up and inquire on the listserve link shown above.
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 30 BAAC Meeting">Notes from Nov. 30 BAAC Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 22 CUEPB Meeting">Notes from Nov. 22 CUEPB Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 16 CUEPB Meeting">Notes from Nov. 16 CUEPB Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29">Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Minutes from Nov. 1">Minutes from Nov. 1</a>
</p><p> 
</p>

<h2> Lecture & Open Discussion Series </h2>
Saturday Dec. 10 3:00PM <br>
Donna Palermino: "History of Citizens United and its Implications" <br>
Donna is a Civil Liberties and Free Speech Professor at Boston University and Suffolk University. This will be a lecture on the history of Supreme Court ruling and how this decision has impacted elections.

Sunday Dec. 11 3:30PM <br>
Jules Levine: "Public Financing of Election Campaigns -- A Way Station; Fair, Just and Good Government--Our Destination" <br>
Jules is a practicing Law Professor at Boston University. He was actively involved in the MA Public Financing System brought to the State House in the 90's, and continues to promote the public financing of elections in Massachusetts. This lecture will provide a brief history of the reforms in MA, and also touch on the benefits and cost-savings this system would provide.

<h2> Next Steps Agreed on: </h2>
<p>Work with Jenn on a <a _fcknotitle="true" href="WG/Strategies/CUEPB/1% Monopoly">WG/Strategies/CUEPB/1% Monopoly</a> street theatre event in Boston for Friday, January 20 to publicize the anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. FEC. This demonstration will be the Boston activity for the one-day demonstration at federal courthouses across the country, including the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. The nationwide event is organized by Move To Amend (see link at bottom of page under "Other Groups." The CUEPB Working Group supports the Boston effort and will prepare a proposal to GA endorsing this event once more details are determined.
</p><p>Analyze and discuss pending legislation on the wiki in order to decide what proposed state and/or federal legislation we support. Edit the <a _fcknotitle="true" href="Campaign Finance Legislation">Campaign Finance Legislation</a> page to add links, summarize what's in a link and/or discuss your opinions about proposed bills. We will also draw on knowledge from other citizen action groups to get up to speed quickly on the campaign reform options.
</p><p>Build collaboration with other local groups, listed below on this page, who are working to change campaign funding.
</p><p>Continue to gather interested people - People are invited to participate here and/or email sandersh6000@gmail.com to identify themselves as part of this Working Group.
</p><p><br />
</p>
<h3> Other Ideas Not Endorsed in a Meeting: </h3>
<p>Prepare a proposal to GA endorsing <a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Public Citizen's</a> action on the anniversary of Citizens United (January 21, 2012). Occupy the Corporations will be an action on Saturday, January 21, when people either occupy or hold an event outside of a corporate target – primarily at Bank of America or British Petroleum locations. Activists there will make a citizen arrest of the corporation (e.g., a sign or other non-human stand-in) for infringing upon our democracy. Those who wish to can then march to their city or town hall and ask their elected officials to support them in calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.
</p>
<h2> Sub-topics:  </h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/SPP_End_Corporate_Personhood">End Corporate Personhood</a>
</li></ul>
<p>  
</p>
<h3> Business Card Ideas </h3>
<p><b>Front</b>: <br />
[slogan] <br />
learn more at <br />
www.campaignfinancereform.us <br />
[contact info] <br />
</p><p><b>Back</b>: informative text explaining the movement. <br />
</p><p><b>Version 1: <br /></b>
Many legislators spend over half their time raising money for their next campaign. With the recent Citizens United ruling by the Supreme Court, corporations can now spend unlimited and unregulated amounts of money on elections. The tremendous amount of time and money that goes into fundraising warps our government's ability to listen to the people. Join us in creating constitutional amendments and new laws to take the money out of politics!
</p><p><b>Version 2: </b> (votes for: Andy, Susi, Nina)<br />
Corporate money floods the election process without limits or meaningful regulations. Many lawmakers spend over half their time fundraising for the next election and listen more to money than to us.
</p><p>Join us in creating new laws to take the money out of politics!
</p><p><br />
<b>Slogan ideas</b> <br />
</p>
<ul><li> Reclaiming our democracy (votes for: Andy, Susi)
</li><li> Taking back congress from the 1%
</li><li> End corporate personhood
</li><li> End institutionalized bribery
</li></ul>
<p><b>Contact info:</b> what should we put here? I have fixcitizensunited@gmail.com, but at least for the moment, I'm the only one that reads it. That may not be ideal.
</p>
<h2> Background Information: </h2>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion">Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion</a></h4>
<p>The minority dissenting opinion quoted at this link gives arguments against the Supreme Court's majority opinion. After a summary, the opinion continues (not quoted here,) describing in detail the laws and rulings related to corporate personhood.
</p><p>Under U.S. law, a corporation is a "corporate veil," protecting individuals inside a company from being prosecuted for the actions of the business. In 1886 the U.S. Supreme Court decided that corporations are entitled to many rights accorded to citizens, in its decision of <i>Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Rail Road Co.</i>
</p><p>In 1907 Congress passed the Tillman Act, prohibiting corporations from donating money directly to national political campaigns. This still holds, but in January 2010 the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 (in <i>Citizens United v. FEC</i>) that corporations can spend unlimited amounts on political advertisements as long as they don't directly coordinate that spending with an actual candidate.
</p><p>The <i>Citizens United v. FEC</i> decision invalidated protections that had existed in Massachusetts General Law, according to a March, 2010 ruling of the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Many bills are now being introduced in Massachusetts and at the federal level to counteract the wide effects of last year's Supreme Court decision by restricting corporate money from influencing politics.
</p>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Campaign Finance Legislation">Campaign Finance Legislation</a> (passed and pending)</h4>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Politicians and Candidates">Politicians and Candidates</a></h4>
<p><a href="http://www.cfinst.org/data.aspx">Campaign Finance Institute (Nonpartisan? Resource)</a>
</p><p><a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67460.html">Jack Abramoff: How to End Corruption </a>(in Politico.com)
</p>
<h2> Groups Outside Occupy Boston (In alphabetical order) </h2>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=pjgaqjhni0freohoui3tbiqj5k%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York">Calendar of Boston-Events </a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4764307">Common Cause</a> Common Cause is working diligently to expose the role of special interests, and promote reforms that put democracy back in the hands of "we the people."
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.coffeepartyusa.com">Coffee Party USA</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/bostoncoffeeparty">Boston Coffee Party</a> "The nonpartisan national Coffee Party movement is a call to action, to make government more accountable to the people.  The Greater Boston chapter focuses on state and local issues, in addition to participating in national Coffee Party campaign.  We are currently working for passage of key state legislation in two areas: money in politics, and civic education."  Contact <a href="mailto:coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com">coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com</a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.democracyfund.org/">Democracy Fund</a> "Democracy Fund is a new operating foundation created to dramatically increase the funding, strategic focus, effectiveness and coordination of existing and emerging efforts to curb the undue influence of corporate lobbyists over the U.S. political process. " Contact <a href="mailto:info@democracyfund.org">info@democracyfund.org</a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Democracy is for People</a> related to Public Citizen. The propose a constitutional amendment to ban money to corporate electioneering. In addition, they are pursuing several reforms. Public financing of elections, a shareholder protection act and a constitutional amendment go together as a package response to rein in the excessive influence that unrestricted, massive corporate expenditures can exert over our democracy. A constitutional amendment offers the long-term solution to address the other damaging effects on our society of treating corporations as if they’re entitled to the same rights to express themselves as real people.
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://freespeechforpeople.org/">Free Speech for People</a> Proposes the following amendment:
</p>
<ul><li> Section 1. We the people who ordain and establish this Constitution intend the rights protected by this Constitution to be the rights of natural persons.
</li><li> Section 2. People, person, or persons as used in this Constitution does not include corporations, limited liability companies or other corporate entities established by the laws of any state, the United States, or any foreign state, and such corporate entities are subject to such regulation as the people, through their elected state and federal representatives, deem reasonable and are otherwise consistent with the powers of Congress and the States under this Constitution.
</li><li> Section 3. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit the people's rights of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, free exercise of religion, and such other rights of the people, which rights are inalienable."
</li></ul>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.getmoneyout.com/">Get Money Out</a> Supports a constitutional amendment: "No person, corporation or business entity of any type, domestic or foreign, shall be allowed to contribute money, directly or indirectly, to any candidate for Federal office or to contribute money on behalf of or opposed to any type of campaign for Federal office. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, campaign contributions to candidates for Federal office shall not constitute speech of any kind as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution or any amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Congress shall set forth a federal holiday for the purposes of voting for candidates for Federal office"
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://movetoamend.org">Move to Amend</a>  We, the People of the United States of America, reject the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United, and move to amend our Constitution to:
</p>
<ul><li>Firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.
</li><li>Guarantee the right to vote and to participate, and to have our vote and participation count.
</li><li>Protect local communities, their economies, and democracies against illegitimate "preemption" actions by global, national, and state governments.
</li></ul>
<p>The Supreme Court is misguided in principle, and wrong on the law. In a democracy, the people rule. We Move to Amend.
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.pfaw.org/GovernmentByThePeople">People for the American Way</a> "The Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC threatens to tear apart the fabric of our democracy and grant powerful corporations unfettered influence in our political process. It's a drastic departure from previous law and our core values as a nation and it must be met with an appropriate response."
</p>
<hr />
<p>Public Citizen (sponsors <a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Democracy is for People</a> above)
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.rootstrikers.org/">Rootstrikers</a>
"Our republic is dangerously out of balance. Well-financed special interests routinely bend the levers of power to benefit the few at the expense of our general welfare. Political bribery has been legalized by the courts, and both major parties have been co-opted and corrupted by the system... Rootstrikers is aimed at restoring power over American politics and government to 100% of the people. We hope patriots of all political persuasions will join us to help build an unstoppable grassroots movement that demands and delivers lasting reforms."
</p>
<hr />
<h3> Key Local Experts and Opinion Leaders</h3>
<ul><li> <a href="http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/directory/index.html?id=888&show=bibliography">Lawrence Lessig</a> - Harvard Law Professor, Founder of <a href="http://www.rootstrikers.org/">Rootstrikers</a>, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Republic-Lost-Money-Corrupts-Congress/dp/0446576433">Republic Lost</a>. Contact: Admin <a href="mailto:szelena@rootstrikers.org">Szelena Gray</a>
</li></ul>
<ul><li>Julius Levine - BU Law Professor Emeritus, long time Brookline political activist
</li></ul>
<p>  
</p>
<h2> Occupy the Courts (January 20-21, 2012) </h2>
<p>Currently, this event is in the planning stage. Some ideas include:
</p>
<h3> Event Ideas </h3>
<p>FIRST PLANNING MEETING: Wednesday, December 7th, 7pm, Biddy Early's Pub, 141 Pearl St., Boston - near Dewey Sq.
</p>
<ul><li> RALLY - This would require a main stage and a program that would include a mix of relevant speakers, musicians, comedians and entertainment. There will be space for groups like Rootstrikers.org, Move to Amend, Common Cause, League of Women Voters and even the opposition to come and lobby the PEOPLE. There will also be non-partisan educational exhibits and activities geared toward children and adults. Each elected official will also be given a "tent" space, so that they can meet and greet their constituents and participate in the occupation as well. The purpose of the rally is to create an interactive and educational event where people can have an opportunity to learn how money in politics negatively affects our lives and how WE CAN FIX IT!
</li></ul>
<ul><li> SUMMIT - the summit would be a bicameral convention with one house working toward local reforms and the other working toward federal reforms. There is consensus among a large number of people that an amendment would be beneficial to reform. There are six amendments and counting sitting in Congress now and several other groups proposing their own. Let's put all of those ideas together, and see if we can make them one.
</li></ul>
<ul><li> STREET THEATER MONOPOLY SKIT - A creative, engaging street theater skit based on the Monopoly game designed to emphasize the correlation between corporate funding, campaign finance and financial ties to lobbying, making the case that our politicians, the supreme court, and essentially the entire American Gov't can be "bought and sold". Seeking creatives to work on this initiative. Needed: Writers to help develop the concept into an even more hilarious poignant skit, actors and actresses including ideally a professional auctioneer, artists to assist with costuming and props, photographers and filmmakers to document the action, any and all interested folks who want to get their creative juices flowing and are willing to play a role even as simple as carrying a sign as a backdrop. :) A grant application is in the works for funding to make this piece a truly awesome experience that you won't want to miss! The skit will be done in conjunction with the other actions that weekend. Please contact Jenn via jennjoy75 at gmail dot com with your availability for the meeting and/or for more information.
</li></ul>
<ul><li> OTHER IDEAS?
</li></ul>
<h3> Questions </h3>
<ul><li> What is the main purpose? 1) To engage the public to draw attention to the issue? 2) To unite the different campaign finance reform groups around Boston? Other?
</li><li> Which events should occur on which days? In particular, would the rally be better on Friday or Saturday?
</li></ul>

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)

2011-12-07T07:30:03Z

Stewart76:

<h2> Contact for Working Group "Citizens United to End Political Bribery" </h2>
<p>Honi Sanders: sandersh6000 at gmail dot com
</p><p>You can sign up to receive emails at <a href="https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited">https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited</a>
 
</p><p><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/campaignfinancereformus/calendar-of-events?pli=1">Calendar of Events</a>
</p><p> 
Citizens United to End Political Bribery (CUEPB) is a Working Group formed to pursue goals related to getting corporate money out of politics.  We will focus on realistic actions in Massachusetts, but will also extend our efforts to nationwide politics when we can.  This wiki page and its subsidiary pages will be our place to collect information and discuss ideas before bringing proposals to Occupy Boston General Assembly.  Everything here should be considered a draft, unless conspicuously labeled otherwise.  To participate, come to one of our scheduled meetings or comment on the discussion tab for a page.  You can also edit a page, but we'd like to know who's involved, so please introduce yourself somewhere in some fashion.
</p>
<h2> Meetings:<br /> </h2>
<p>Next Meeting will be: Wednesday, December 7th, 7pm BIddy Early's Pub, 141 Pearl St., near Dewey Sq. If you're interested, comment here or sign up and inquire on the listserve link shown above.
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 30 BAAC Meeting">Notes from Nov. 30 BAAC Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 22 CUEPB Meeting">Notes from Nov. 22 CUEPB Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 16 CUEPB Meeting">Notes from Nov. 16 CUEPB Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29">Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Minutes from Nov. 1">Minutes from Nov. 1</a>
</p><p> 
</p>

<h2> Lecture & Open Discussion Series </h2>
Saturday Dec. 10 3:00PM <br>
Donna Palermino "History of Citizens United and its Implications" <br>
Donna is a Civil Liberties and Free Speech Professor at Boston University and Suffolk University. This will be a lecture on the history of Supreme Court ruling and how this decision has impacted elections.

Sunday Dec. 11 3:30PM <br>
Jules Levine "Public Financing of Election Campaigns -- A Way Station; Fair, Just and Good Government--Our Destination" <br>
Jules is a practicing Law Professor at Boston University. He was actively involved in the MA Public Financing System brought to the State House in the 90's, and continues to promote the public financing of elections in Massachusetts. This lecture will provide a brief history of the reforms in MA, and also touch on the benefits and cost-savings this system would provide.
</p>
<h2> Next Steps Agreed on: </h2>
<p>Work with Jenn on a <a _fcknotitle="true" href="WG/Strategies/CUEPB/1% Monopoly">WG/Strategies/CUEPB/1% Monopoly</a> street theatre event in Boston for Friday, January 20 to publicize the anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. FEC. This demonstration will be the Boston activity for the one-day demonstration at federal courthouses across the country, including the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. The nationwide event is organized by Move To Amend (see link at bottom of page under "Other Groups." The CUEPB Working Group supports the Boston effort and will prepare a proposal to GA endorsing this event once more details are determined.
</p><p>Analyze and discuss pending legislation on the wiki in order to decide what proposed state and/or federal legislation we support. Edit the <a _fcknotitle="true" href="Campaign Finance Legislation">Campaign Finance Legislation</a> page to add links, summarize what's in a link and/or discuss your opinions about proposed bills. We will also draw on knowledge from other citizen action groups to get up to speed quickly on the campaign reform options.
</p><p>Build collaboration with other local groups, listed below on this page, who are working to change campaign funding.
</p><p>Continue to gather interested people - People are invited to participate here and/or email sandersh6000@gmail.com to identify themselves as part of this Working Group.
</p><p><br />
</p>
<h3> Other Ideas Not Endorsed in a Meeting: </h3>
<p>Prepare a proposal to GA endorsing <a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Public Citizen's</a> action on the anniversary of Citizens United (January 21, 2012). Occupy the Corporations will be an action on Saturday, January 21, when people either occupy or hold an event outside of a corporate target – primarily at Bank of America or British Petroleum locations. Activists there will make a citizen arrest of the corporation (e.g., a sign or other non-human stand-in) for infringing upon our democracy. Those who wish to can then march to their city or town hall and ask their elected officials to support them in calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.
</p>
<h2> Sub-topics:  </h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/SPP_End_Corporate_Personhood">End Corporate Personhood</a>
</li></ul>
<p>  
</p>
<h3> Business Card Ideas </h3>
<p><b>Front</b>: <br />
[slogan] <br />
learn more at <br />
www.campaignfinancereform.us <br />
[contact info] <br />
</p><p><b>Back</b>: informative text explaining the movement. <br />
</p><p><b>Version 1: <br /></b>
Many legislators spend over half their time raising money for their next campaign. With the recent Citizens United ruling by the Supreme Court, corporations can now spend unlimited and unregulated amounts of money on elections. The tremendous amount of time and money that goes into fundraising warps our government's ability to listen to the people. Join us in creating constitutional amendments and new laws to take the money out of politics!
</p><p><b>Version 2: </b> (votes for: Andy, Susi, Nina)<br />
Corporate money floods the election process without limits or meaningful regulations. Many lawmakers spend over half their time fundraising for the next election and listen more to money than to us.
</p><p>Join us in creating new laws to take the money out of politics!
</p><p><br />
<b>Slogan ideas</b> <br />
</p>
<ul><li> Reclaiming our democracy (votes for: Andy, Susi)
</li><li> Taking back congress from the 1%
</li><li> End corporate personhood
</li><li> End institutionalized bribery
</li></ul>
<p><b>Contact info:</b> what should we put here? I have fixcitizensunited@gmail.com, but at least for the moment, I'm the only one that reads it. That may not be ideal.
</p>
<h2> Background Information: </h2>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion">Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion</a></h4>
<p>The minority dissenting opinion quoted at this link gives arguments against the Supreme Court's majority opinion. After a summary, the opinion continues (not quoted here,) describing in detail the laws and rulings related to corporate personhood.
</p><p>Under U.S. law, a corporation is a "corporate veil," protecting individuals inside a company from being prosecuted for the actions of the business. In 1886 the U.S. Supreme Court decided that corporations are entitled to many rights accorded to citizens, in its decision of <i>Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Rail Road Co.</i>
</p><p>In 1907 Congress passed the Tillman Act, prohibiting corporations from donating money directly to national political campaigns. This still holds, but in January 2010 the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 (in <i>Citizens United v. FEC</i>) that corporations can spend unlimited amounts on political advertisements as long as they don't directly coordinate that spending with an actual candidate.
</p><p>The <i>Citizens United v. FEC</i> decision invalidated protections that had existed in Massachusetts General Law, according to a March, 2010 ruling of the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Many bills are now being introduced in Massachusetts and at the federal level to counteract the wide effects of last year's Supreme Court decision by restricting corporate money from influencing politics.
</p>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Campaign Finance Legislation">Campaign Finance Legislation</a> (passed and pending)</h4>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Politicians and Candidates">Politicians and Candidates</a></h4>
<p><a href="http://www.cfinst.org/data.aspx">Campaign Finance Institute (Nonpartisan? Resource)</a>
</p><p><a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67460.html">Jack Abramoff: How to End Corruption </a>(in Politico.com)
</p>
<h2> Groups Outside Occupy Boston (In alphabetical order) </h2>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=pjgaqjhni0freohoui3tbiqj5k%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York">Calendar of Boston-Events </a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4764307">Common Cause</a> Common Cause is working diligently to expose the role of special interests, and promote reforms that put democracy back in the hands of "we the people."
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.coffeepartyusa.com">Coffee Party USA</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/bostoncoffeeparty">Boston Coffee Party</a> "The nonpartisan national Coffee Party movement is a call to action, to make government more accountable to the people.  The Greater Boston chapter focuses on state and local issues, in addition to participating in national Coffee Party campaign.  We are currently working for passage of key state legislation in two areas: money in politics, and civic education."  Contact <a href="mailto:coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com">coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com</a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.democracyfund.org/">Democracy Fund</a> "Democracy Fund is a new operating foundation created to dramatically increase the funding, strategic focus, effectiveness and coordination of existing and emerging efforts to curb the undue influence of corporate lobbyists over the U.S. political process. " Contact <a href="mailto:info@democracyfund.org">info@democracyfund.org</a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Democracy is for People</a> related to Public Citizen. The propose a constitutional amendment to ban money to corporate electioneering. In addition, they are pursuing several reforms. Public financing of elections, a shareholder protection act and a constitutional amendment go together as a package response to rein in the excessive influence that unrestricted, massive corporate expenditures can exert over our democracy. A constitutional amendment offers the long-term solution to address the other damaging effects on our society of treating corporations as if they’re entitled to the same rights to express themselves as real people.
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://freespeechforpeople.org/">Free Speech for People</a> Proposes the following amendment:
</p>
<ul><li> Section 1. We the people who ordain and establish this Constitution intend the rights protected by this Constitution to be the rights of natural persons.
</li><li> Section 2. People, person, or persons as used in this Constitution does not include corporations, limited liability companies or other corporate entities established by the laws of any state, the United States, or any foreign state, and such corporate entities are subject to such regulation as the people, through their elected state and federal representatives, deem reasonable and are otherwise consistent with the powers of Congress and the States under this Constitution.
</li><li> Section 3. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit the people's rights of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, free exercise of religion, and such other rights of the people, which rights are inalienable."
</li></ul>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.getmoneyout.com/">Get Money Out</a> Supports a constitutional amendment: "No person, corporation or business entity of any type, domestic or foreign, shall be allowed to contribute money, directly or indirectly, to any candidate for Federal office or to contribute money on behalf of or opposed to any type of campaign for Federal office. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, campaign contributions to candidates for Federal office shall not constitute speech of any kind as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution or any amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Congress shall set forth a federal holiday for the purposes of voting for candidates for Federal office"
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://movetoamend.org">Move to Amend</a>  We, the People of the United States of America, reject the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United, and move to amend our Constitution to:
</p>
<ul><li>Firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.
</li><li>Guarantee the right to vote and to participate, and to have our vote and participation count.
</li><li>Protect local communities, their economies, and democracies against illegitimate "preemption" actions by global, national, and state governments.
</li></ul>
<p>The Supreme Court is misguided in principle, and wrong on the law. In a democracy, the people rule. We Move to Amend.
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.pfaw.org/GovernmentByThePeople">People for the American Way</a> "The Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC threatens to tear apart the fabric of our democracy and grant powerful corporations unfettered influence in our political process. It's a drastic departure from previous law and our core values as a nation and it must be met with an appropriate response."
</p>
<hr />
<p>Public Citizen (sponsors <a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Democracy is for People</a> above)
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.rootstrikers.org/">Rootstrikers</a>
"Our republic is dangerously out of balance. Well-financed special interests routinely bend the levers of power to benefit the few at the expense of our general welfare. Political bribery has been legalized by the courts, and both major parties have been co-opted and corrupted by the system... Rootstrikers is aimed at restoring power over American politics and government to 100% of the people. We hope patriots of all political persuasions will join us to help build an unstoppable grassroots movement that demands and delivers lasting reforms."
</p>
<hr />
<h3> Key Local Experts and Opinion Leaders</h3>
<ul><li> <a href="http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/directory/index.html?id=888&show=bibliography">Lawrence Lessig</a> - Harvard Law Professor, Founder of <a href="http://www.rootstrikers.org/">Rootstrikers</a>, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Republic-Lost-Money-Corrupts-Congress/dp/0446576433">Republic Lost</a>. Contact: Admin <a href="mailto:szelena@rootstrikers.org">Szelena Gray</a>
</li></ul>
<ul><li>Julius Levine - BU Law Professor Emeritus, long time Brookline political activist
</li></ul>
<p>  
</p>
<h2> Occupy the Courts (January 20-21, 2012) </h2>
<p>Currently, this event is in the planning stage. Some ideas include:
</p>
<h3> Event Ideas </h3>
<p>FIRST PLANNING MEETING: Wednesday, December 7th, 7pm, Biddy Early's Pub, 141 Pearl St., Boston - near Dewey Sq.
</p>
<ul><li> RALLY - This would require a main stage and a program that would include a mix of relevant speakers, musicians, comedians and entertainment. There will be space for groups like Rootstrikers.org, Move to Amend, Common Cause, League of Women Voters and even the opposition to come and lobby the PEOPLE. There will also be non-partisan educational exhibits and activities geared toward children and adults. Each elected official will also be given a "tent" space, so that they can meet and greet their constituents and participate in the occupation as well. The purpose of the rally is to create an interactive and educational event where people can have an opportunity to learn how money in politics negatively affects our lives and how WE CAN FIX IT!
</li></ul>
<ul><li> SUMMIT - the summit would be a bicameral convention with one house working toward local reforms and the other working toward federal reforms. There is consensus among a large number of people that an amendment would be beneficial to reform. There are six amendments and counting sitting in Congress now and several other groups proposing their own. Let's put all of those ideas together, and see if we can make them one.
</li></ul>
<ul><li> STREET THEATER MONOPOLY SKIT - A creative, engaging street theater skit based on the Monopoly game designed to emphasize the correlation between corporate funding, campaign finance and financial ties to lobbying, making the case that our politicians, the supreme court, and essentially the entire American Gov't can be "bought and sold". Seeking creatives to work on this initiative. Needed: Writers to help develop the concept into an even more hilarious poignant skit, actors and actresses including ideally a professional auctioneer, artists to assist with costuming and props, photographers and filmmakers to document the action, any and all interested folks who want to get their creative juices flowing and are willing to play a role even as simple as carrying a sign as a backdrop. :) A grant application is in the works for funding to make this piece a truly awesome experience that you won't want to miss! The skit will be done in conjunction with the other actions that weekend. Please contact Jenn via jennjoy75 at gmail dot com with your availability for the meeting and/or for more information.
</li></ul>
<ul><li> OTHER IDEAS?
</li></ul>
<h3> Questions </h3>
<ul><li> What is the main purpose? 1) To engage the public to draw attention to the issue? 2) To unite the different campaign finance reform groups around Boston? Other?
</li><li> Which events should occur on which days? In particular, would the rally be better on Friday or Saturday?
</li></ul>

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)

2011-12-07T07:28:28Z

Stewart76:

<h2> Contact for Working Group "Citizens United to End Political Bribery" </h2>
<p>Honi Sanders: sandersh6000 at gmail dot com
</p><p>You can sign up to receive emails at <a href="https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited">https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited</a>
 
</p><p><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/campaignfinancereformus/calendar-of-events?pli=1">Calendar of Events</a>
</p><p> 
Citizens United to End Political Bribery (CUEPB) is a Working Group formed to pursue goals related to getting corporate money out of politics.  We will focus on realistic actions in Massachusetts, but will also extend our efforts to nationwide politics when we can.  This wiki page and its subsidiary pages will be our place to collect information and discuss ideas before bringing proposals to Occupy Boston General Assembly.  Everything here should be considered a draft, unless conspicuously labeled otherwise.  To participate, come to one of our scheduled meetings or comment on the discussion tab for a page.  You can also edit a page, but we'd like to know who's involved, so please introduce yourself somewhere in some fashion.
</p>
<h2> Meetings:<br /> </h2>
<p>Next Meeting will be: Wednesday, December 7th, 7pm BIddy Early's Pub, 141 Pearl St., near Dewey Sq. If you're interested, comment here or sign up and inquire on the listserve link shown above.
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 30 BAAC Meeting">Notes from Nov. 30 BAAC Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 22 CUEPB Meeting">Notes from Nov. 22 CUEPB Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 16 CUEPB Meeting">Notes from Nov. 16 CUEPB Meeting</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29">Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29</a>
</p><p><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Minutes from Nov. 1">Minutes from Nov. 1</a>
</p><p> 
</p>

<h2> Lecture & Open Discussion Series </h2>
Saturday Dec. 10 3:00PM
Donna Palermino "History of Citizens United and its Implications"
Donna is a Civil Liberties and Free Speech Professor at Boston University and Suffolk University. This will be a lecture on the history of Supreme Court ruling and how this decision has impacted elections.

Sunday Dec. 11 3:30PM
Jules Levine "Public Financing of Election Campaigns -- A Way Station; Fair, Just and Good Government--Our Destination"
Jules is a practicing Law Professor at Boston University. He was actively involved in the MA Public Financing System brought to the State House in the 90's, and continues to promote the public financing of elections in Massachusetts. This lecture will provide a brief history of the reforms in MA, and also touch on the benefits and cost-savings this system would provide.
</p>
<h2> Next Steps Agreed on: </h2>
<p>Work with Jenn on a <a _fcknotitle="true" href="WG/Strategies/CUEPB/1% Monopoly">WG/Strategies/CUEPB/1% Monopoly</a> street theatre event in Boston for Friday, January 20 to publicize the anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. FEC. This demonstration will be the Boston activity for the one-day demonstration at federal courthouses across the country, including the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. The nationwide event is organized by Move To Amend (see link at bottom of page under "Other Groups." The CUEPB Working Group supports the Boston effort and will prepare a proposal to GA endorsing this event once more details are determined.
</p><p>Analyze and discuss pending legislation on the wiki in order to decide what proposed state and/or federal legislation we support. Edit the <a _fcknotitle="true" href="Campaign Finance Legislation">Campaign Finance Legislation</a> page to add links, summarize what's in a link and/or discuss your opinions about proposed bills. We will also draw on knowledge from other citizen action groups to get up to speed quickly on the campaign reform options.
</p><p>Build collaboration with other local groups, listed below on this page, who are working to change campaign funding.
</p><p>Continue to gather interested people - People are invited to participate here and/or email sandersh6000@gmail.com to identify themselves as part of this Working Group.
</p><p><br />
</p>
<h3> Other Ideas Not Endorsed in a Meeting: </h3>
<p>Prepare a proposal to GA endorsing <a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Public Citizen's</a> action on the anniversary of Citizens United (January 21, 2012). Occupy the Corporations will be an action on Saturday, January 21, when people either occupy or hold an event outside of a corporate target – primarily at Bank of America or British Petroleum locations. Activists there will make a citizen arrest of the corporation (e.g., a sign or other non-human stand-in) for infringing upon our democracy. Those who wish to can then march to their city or town hall and ask their elected officials to support them in calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.
</p>
<h2> Sub-topics:  </h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/SPP_End_Corporate_Personhood">End Corporate Personhood</a>
</li></ul>
<p>  
</p>
<h3> Business Card Ideas </h3>
<p><b>Front</b>: <br />
[slogan] <br />
learn more at <br />
www.campaignfinancereform.us <br />
[contact info] <br />
</p><p><b>Back</b>: informative text explaining the movement. <br />
</p><p><b>Version 1: <br /></b>
Many legislators spend over half their time raising money for their next campaign. With the recent Citizens United ruling by the Supreme Court, corporations can now spend unlimited and unregulated amounts of money on elections. The tremendous amount of time and money that goes into fundraising warps our government's ability to listen to the people. Join us in creating constitutional amendments and new laws to take the money out of politics!
</p><p><b>Version 2: </b> (votes for: Andy, Susi, Nina)<br />
Corporate money floods the election process without limits or meaningful regulations. Many lawmakers spend over half their time fundraising for the next election and listen more to money than to us.
</p><p>Join us in creating new laws to take the money out of politics!
</p><p><br />
<b>Slogan ideas</b> <br />
</p>
<ul><li> Reclaiming our democracy (votes for: Andy, Susi)
</li><li> Taking back congress from the 1%
</li><li> End corporate personhood
</li><li> End institutionalized bribery
</li></ul>
<p><b>Contact info:</b> what should we put here? I have fixcitizensunited@gmail.com, but at least for the moment, I'm the only one that reads it. That may not be ideal.
</p>
<h2> Background Information: </h2>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion">Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Opinion</a></h4>
<p>The minority dissenting opinion quoted at this link gives arguments against the Supreme Court's majority opinion. After a summary, the opinion continues (not quoted here,) describing in detail the laws and rulings related to corporate personhood.
</p><p>Under U.S. law, a corporation is a "corporate veil," protecting individuals inside a company from being prosecuted for the actions of the business. In 1886 the U.S. Supreme Court decided that corporations are entitled to many rights accorded to citizens, in its decision of <i>Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Rail Road Co.</i>
</p><p>In 1907 Congress passed the Tillman Act, prohibiting corporations from donating money directly to national political campaigns. This still holds, but in January 2010 the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 (in <i>Citizens United v. FEC</i>) that corporations can spend unlimited amounts on political advertisements as long as they don't directly coordinate that spending with an actual candidate.
</p><p>The <i>Citizens United v. FEC</i> decision invalidated protections that had existed in Massachusetts General Law, according to a March, 2010 ruling of the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Many bills are now being introduced in Massachusetts and at the federal level to counteract the wide effects of last year's Supreme Court decision by restricting corporate money from influencing politics.
</p>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Campaign Finance Legislation">Campaign Finance Legislation</a> (passed and pending)</h4>
<h4><a _fcknotitle="true" href="Politicians and Candidates">Politicians and Candidates</a></h4>
<p><a href="http://www.cfinst.org/data.aspx">Campaign Finance Institute (Nonpartisan? Resource)</a>
</p><p><a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67460.html">Jack Abramoff: How to End Corruption </a>(in Politico.com)
</p>
<h2> Groups Outside Occupy Boston (In alphabetical order) </h2>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=pjgaqjhni0freohoui3tbiqj5k%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York">Calendar of Boston-Events </a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4764307">Common Cause</a> Common Cause is working diligently to expose the role of special interests, and promote reforms that put democracy back in the hands of "we the people."
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.coffeepartyusa.com">Coffee Party USA</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/bostoncoffeeparty">Boston Coffee Party</a> "The nonpartisan national Coffee Party movement is a call to action, to make government more accountable to the people.  The Greater Boston chapter focuses on state and local issues, in addition to participating in national Coffee Party campaign.  We are currently working for passage of key state legislation in two areas: money in politics, and civic education."  Contact <a href="mailto:coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com">coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com</a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.democracyfund.org/">Democracy Fund</a> "Democracy Fund is a new operating foundation created to dramatically increase the funding, strategic focus, effectiveness and coordination of existing and emerging efforts to curb the undue influence of corporate lobbyists over the U.S. political process. " Contact <a href="mailto:info@democracyfund.org">info@democracyfund.org</a>
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Democracy is for People</a> related to Public Citizen. The propose a constitutional amendment to ban money to corporate electioneering. In addition, they are pursuing several reforms. Public financing of elections, a shareholder protection act and a constitutional amendment go together as a package response to rein in the excessive influence that unrestricted, massive corporate expenditures can exert over our democracy. A constitutional amendment offers the long-term solution to address the other damaging effects on our society of treating corporations as if they’re entitled to the same rights to express themselves as real people.
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://freespeechforpeople.org/">Free Speech for People</a> Proposes the following amendment:
</p>
<ul><li> Section 1. We the people who ordain and establish this Constitution intend the rights protected by this Constitution to be the rights of natural persons.
</li><li> Section 2. People, person, or persons as used in this Constitution does not include corporations, limited liability companies or other corporate entities established by the laws of any state, the United States, or any foreign state, and such corporate entities are subject to such regulation as the people, through their elected state and federal representatives, deem reasonable and are otherwise consistent with the powers of Congress and the States under this Constitution.
</li><li> Section 3. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit the people's rights of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, free exercise of religion, and such other rights of the people, which rights are inalienable."
</li></ul>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.getmoneyout.com/">Get Money Out</a> Supports a constitutional amendment: "No person, corporation or business entity of any type, domestic or foreign, shall be allowed to contribute money, directly or indirectly, to any candidate for Federal office or to contribute money on behalf of or opposed to any type of campaign for Federal office. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, campaign contributions to candidates for Federal office shall not constitute speech of any kind as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution or any amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Congress shall set forth a federal holiday for the purposes of voting for candidates for Federal office"
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://movetoamend.org">Move to Amend</a>  We, the People of the United States of America, reject the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United, and move to amend our Constitution to:
</p>
<ul><li>Firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.
</li><li>Guarantee the right to vote and to participate, and to have our vote and participation count.
</li><li>Protect local communities, their economies, and democracies against illegitimate "preemption" actions by global, national, and state governments.
</li></ul>
<p>The Supreme Court is misguided in principle, and wrong on the law. In a democracy, the people rule. We Move to Amend.
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.pfaw.org/GovernmentByThePeople">People for the American Way</a> "The Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC threatens to tear apart the fabric of our democracy and grant powerful corporations unfettered influence in our political process. It's a drastic departure from previous law and our core values as a nation and it must be met with an appropriate response."
</p>
<hr />
<p>Public Citizen (sponsors <a href="http://democracyisforpeople.org/">Democracy is for People</a> above)
</p>
<hr />
<p><a href="http://www.rootstrikers.org/">Rootstrikers</a>
"Our republic is dangerously out of balance. Well-financed special interests routinely bend the levers of power to benefit the few at the expense of our general welfare. Political bribery has been legalized by the courts, and both major parties have been co-opted and corrupted by the system... Rootstrikers is aimed at restoring power over American politics and government to 100% of the people. We hope patriots of all political persuasions will join us to help build an unstoppable grassroots movement that demands and delivers lasting reforms."
</p>
<hr />
<h3> Key Local Experts and Opinion Leaders</h3>
<ul><li> <a href="http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/directory/index.html?id=888&show=bibliography">Lawrence Lessig</a> - Harvard Law Professor, Founder of <a href="http://www.rootstrikers.org/">Rootstrikers</a>, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Republic-Lost-Money-Corrupts-Congress/dp/0446576433">Republic Lost</a>. Contact: Admin <a href="mailto:szelena@rootstrikers.org">Szelena Gray</a>
</li></ul>
<ul><li>Julius Levine - BU Law Professor Emeritus, long time Brookline political activist
</li></ul>
<p>  
</p>
<h2> Occupy the Courts (January 20-21, 2012) </h2>
<p>Currently, this event is in the planning stage. Some ideas include:
</p>
<h3> Event Ideas </h3>
<p>FIRST PLANNING MEETING: Wednesday, December 7th, 7pm, Biddy Early's Pub, 141 Pearl St., Boston - near Dewey Sq.
</p>
<ul><li> RALLY - This would require a main stage and a program that would include a mix of relevant speakers, musicians, comedians and entertainment. There will be space for groups like Rootstrikers.org, Move to Amend, Common Cause, League of Women Voters and even the opposition to come and lobby the PEOPLE. There will also be non-partisan educational exhibits and activities geared toward children and adults. Each elected official will also be given a "tent" space, so that they can meet and greet their constituents and participate in the occupation as well. The purpose of the rally is to create an interactive and educational event where people can have an opportunity to learn how money in politics negatively affects our lives and how WE CAN FIX IT!
</li></ul>
<ul><li> SUMMIT - the summit would be a bicameral convention with one house working toward local reforms and the other working toward federal reforms. There is consensus among a large number of people that an amendment would be beneficial to reform. There are six amendments and counting sitting in Congress now and several other groups proposing their own. Let's put all of those ideas together, and see if we can make them one.
</li></ul>
<ul><li> STREET THEATER MONOPOLY SKIT - A creative, engaging street theater skit based on the Monopoly game designed to emphasize the correlation between corporate funding, campaign finance and financial ties to lobbying, making the case that our politicians, the supreme court, and essentially the entire American Gov't can be "bought and sold". Seeking creatives to work on this initiative. Needed: Writers to help develop the concept into an even more hilarious poignant skit, actors and actresses including ideally a professional auctioneer, artists to assist with costuming and props, photographers and filmmakers to document the action, any and all interested folks who want to get their creative juices flowing and are willing to play a role even as simple as carrying a sign as a backdrop. :) A grant application is in the works for funding to make this piece a truly awesome experience that you won't want to miss! The skit will be done in conjunction with the other actions that weekend. Please contact Jenn via jennjoy75 at gmail dot com with your availability for the meeting and/or for more information.
</li></ul>
<ul><li> OTHER IDEAS?
</li></ul>
<h3> Questions </h3>
<ul><li> What is the main purpose? 1) To engage the public to draw attention to the issue? 2) To unite the different campaign finance reform groups around Boston? Other?
</li><li> Which events should occur on which days? In particular, would the rally be better on Friday or Saturday?
</li></ul>

WG/Strategies/Ideas/Campaign Finance Legislation

2011-11-19T15:42:48Z

Stewart76: /* Other Reforms to Think About */

<span style="font-size: smaller">''Return to [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Citizens_United_to_End_Political_Bribery <font color="#0b0080">Citizens United to End Political Bribery</font>] ... Go to [[Politicians and Candidates]]''</span>

==== ''<span style="font-size: larger"></span>'' ====

= Massachusetts =

== Proposed Laws<br/> ==

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H01985 H01985]

Disclosure. This bill requires corporations to notify their shareholders when making independent expenditures. The top five individuals or entities that donated must say their names and addresses during the advertisement. Bans foreign entities from making expenditures.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00304 S0304]

Senate Bill 304 will address the problems created by the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC by requiring new levels of '''disclosure''' and transparency for corporate political spending and prohibiting foreign corporations from influencing elections in Massachusetts.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00305 S00305]

Senate Bill 305 would require corporations spending general treasury funds on political advertisements to '''notify shareholders '''of those expenditures in quarterly reports. Additionally, this bill would require corporate managers to get approval from their board of directors prior to spending general treasury funds on political ads. This bill was heard by the [http://www.malegislature.gov/Committees/Joint/J15 Joint Committee on Election Laws] on October 19, after being referred to the committee in January, 2011. The next step for this bill is for the committee chairman [http://www.malegislature.gov/People/Profile/MJM1 Michael Moran] (representing Brookline & Brighton) to call a vote to release it to the House floor. The Senate would also have to act in this process.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00308 S00308]

Senate Bill 308 would establish an optional '''public matching campaign finance '''system for state legislature candidates, reducing the burden of time they must spend fund-raising, and helping ensure that elected officials are politically indebted to the people rather than to big-dollar donors.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00317 S00317]

This bill prohibits public employees from soliciting or receiving gifts while in service.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00322 S0322]

This bill requires disclosure from candidates on expenditures related to issue-specific electioneering communications.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S01577 S01577]

Senate Bill 1577 would reduce the influence of special interest money through campaign finance restrictions which eliminate '''"pay to play"''' opportunities for two key groups with business before the state: lobbyists and state contractors.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H01974 H01974]

This bill sets limits on individual contributions made to candidates and political parties, but not ballot questions.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00772 S00772]

Senate Bill 772, introduced by [http://www.senatoreldridge.com/the-dridge-report/2430/we-the-people-responding-to-the-citizens-united-decision Sen. Jamie Eldridge ](Shirley, Ayer) would call for the US Congress to initiate a Constitutional Amendment "to restore the First Amendment and fair elections to the people."  This is intended to counteract the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC that allowed corporations to spend unlimited amounts on political campaigns. 

 

== Other Reforms to Think About<br/> ==

<u> Insider Trading</u> Prevent elected officials and public employees from using their position to trade on insider information. "Throw Them All Out" is a new book illustrating this problem. Congress should have to follow the same rules as Martha Stewart and everyone else.

<u> Anti Lobbying Laws</u> Occupy LA influencedthe passing of a bill which prohibits lobbyists from doing business on public property.

<u> No Bail Out Money</u> Suggested by Matt Tahibi of Rolling Stone: if your corporation received a bail put or any kind of government assistance you are not allowed to turn around and use that money to lobby Congress.

<u> No Special Benefits</u> Congress should not receive any benefits that aren't available to the general public. If we don't have a public health care option, neither should they

<u> Post Service Employment</u> Prohibit elected officials and public servants from taking jobs in industries they are supposed to be regulating for four years after their last day in office.

== Existing Laws<br/> ==

==== [http://www.mass.gov/ocpf/ Massachusetts Office of Campaign & Political Finance] ====

Massachusetts has a public financing system that I do not entirely understand.

[http://www.mass.gov/ocpf/chap55.htm Massachusetts Campaign Finance Law]

A pdf of contribution limits: [[File:Contribution table.pdf|RTENOTITLE]]

Scn 55:6A limits Political Action Committee contributions to candidates as follows:

*governor $150,000;
*lieutenant governor $31,250;
*attorney general $62,500;
*state secretary, treasurer or auditor $37,500;
*state senator & various others $18,750;
*state representative $7,500.

Scn 55:7 puts similar restrictions on loans that a candidate may make to his/her candidate committee.  It also limits donations by individuals to $500/year to each candidate (or $25/year for a donor less than 18 years old,) adding up to less than $12,500 in one year to all candidates.  There is no limit on an individual's contribution to ballot question committees.

Scn 55:8 prohibits campaign or political contributions by businesses or majority stockholders in listed industries that might benefit from state actions.  Media offering free time to one candidate must make equivalent time available to competing candidates.

Scn 55:18G requires radio, TV or internet campaign advertising to disclose who paid for the announcement.  Violation is punishable for $10,000 fine and/or a year in prison.

Scn 55:22 requires reporting of all contributions to affect the vote on "any question submitted to the voters," except by qualified political committees. 

=   =

= Federal<br/> =

== Existing Laws<br/> ==

== Proposed Laws<br/> ==

[http://www.scribd.com/doc/71154073/A-Constitutional-Amendment-to-Reform-Campaign-Finance Overturn Citizens United Constitutional Amendment]

WG/Strategies/Ideas/Campaign Finance Legislation

2011-11-19T15:39:46Z

Stewart76: /* Existing Laws */

<span style="font-size: smaller">''Return to [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Citizens_United_to_End_Political_Bribery <font color="#0b0080">Citizens United to End Political Bribery</font>] ... Go to [[Politicians and Candidates]]''</span>

==== ''<span style="font-size: larger"></span>'' ====

= Massachusetts =

== Proposed Laws<br/> ==

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H01985 H01985]

Disclosure. This bill requires corporations to notify their shareholders when making independent expenditures. The top five individuals or entities that donated must say their names and addresses during the advertisement. Bans foreign entities from making expenditures.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00304 S0304]

Senate Bill 304 will address the problems created by the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC by requiring new levels of '''disclosure''' and transparency for corporate political spending and prohibiting foreign corporations from influencing elections in Massachusetts.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00305 S00305]

Senate Bill 305 would require corporations spending general treasury funds on political advertisements to '''notify shareholders '''of those expenditures in quarterly reports. Additionally, this bill would require corporate managers to get approval from their board of directors prior to spending general treasury funds on political ads. This bill was heard by the [http://www.malegislature.gov/Committees/Joint/J15 Joint Committee on Election Laws] on October 19, after being referred to the committee in January, 2011. The next step for this bill is for the committee chairman [http://www.malegislature.gov/People/Profile/MJM1 Michael Moran] (representing Brookline & Brighton) to call a vote to release it to the House floor. The Senate would also have to act in this process.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00308 S00308]

Senate Bill 308 would establish an optional '''public matching campaign finance '''system for state legislature candidates, reducing the burden of time they must spend fund-raising, and helping ensure that elected officials are politically indebted to the people rather than to big-dollar donors.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00317 S00317]

This bill prohibits public employees from soliciting or receiving gifts while in service.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00322 S0322]

This bill requires disclosure from candidates on expenditures related to issue-specific electioneering communications.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S01577 S01577]

Senate Bill 1577 would reduce the influence of special interest money through campaign finance restrictions which eliminate '''"pay to play"''' opportunities for two key groups with business before the state: lobbyists and state contractors.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H01974 H01974]

This bill sets limits on individual contributions made to candidates and political parties, but not ballot questions.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00772 S00772]

Senate Bill 772, introduced by [http://www.senatoreldridge.com/the-dridge-report/2430/we-the-people-responding-to-the-citizens-united-decision Sen. Jamie Eldridge ](Shirley, Ayer) would call for the US Congress to initiate a Constitutional Amendment "to restore the First Amendment and fair elections to the people."  This is intended to counteract the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC that allowed corporations to spend unlimited amounts on political campaigns. 

 

== Other Reforms to Think About<br/> ==

<u> Insider Trading<u/> Prevent elected officials and public employees from using their position to trade on insider information. "Throw Them All Out" is a new book illustrating this problem. Congress should have to follow the same rules as Martha Stewart and everyone else.

<u> Anti Lobbying Laws<u/> Occupy LA influencedthe passing of a bill which prohibits lobbyists from doing business on public property.

<u> No Bail Out Money<u/> Suggested by Matt Tahibi of Rolling Stone: if your corporation received a bail put or any kind of government assistance you are not allowed to turn around and use that money to lobby Congress.

<u> No Special Benefits<u/> Congress should not receive any benefits that aren't available to the general public. If we don't have a public health care option, neither should they

<u> Post Service Employment<u/> Prohibit elected officials and public servants from taking jobs in industries they are supposed to be regulating for four years after their last day in office.

== Existing Laws<br/> ==

==== [http://www.mass.gov/ocpf/ Massachusetts Office of Campaign & Political Finance] ====

Massachusetts has a public financing system that I do not entirely understand.

[http://www.mass.gov/ocpf/chap55.htm Massachusetts Campaign Finance Law]

A pdf of contribution limits: [[File:Contribution table.pdf|RTENOTITLE]]

Scn 55:6A limits Political Action Committee contributions to candidates as follows:

*governor $150,000;
*lieutenant governor $31,250;
*attorney general $62,500;
*state secretary, treasurer or auditor $37,500;
*state senator & various others $18,750;
*state representative $7,500.

Scn 55:7 puts similar restrictions on loans that a candidate may make to his/her candidate committee.  It also limits donations by individuals to $500/year to each candidate (or $25/year for a donor less than 18 years old,) adding up to less than $12,500 in one year to all candidates.  There is no limit on an individual's contribution to ballot question committees.

Scn 55:8 prohibits campaign or political contributions by businesses or majority stockholders in listed industries that might benefit from state actions.  Media offering free time to one candidate must make equivalent time available to competing candidates.

Scn 55:18G requires radio, TV or internet campaign advertising to disclose who paid for the announcement.  Violation is punishable for $10,000 fine and/or a year in prison.

Scn 55:22 requires reporting of all contributions to affect the vote on "any question submitted to the voters," except by qualified political committees. 

=   =

= Federal<br/> =

== Existing Laws<br/> ==

== Proposed Laws<br/> ==

[http://www.scribd.com/doc/71154073/A-Constitutional-Amendment-to-Reform-Campaign-Finance Overturn Citizens United Constitutional Amendment]

WG/Strategies/Ideas/Campaign Finance Legislation

2011-11-15T23:16:34Z

Stewart76: /* Proposed Laws */

<span style="font-size: smaller">''Return to [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Citizens_United_to_End_Political_Bribery <font color="#0b0080">Citizens United to End Political Bribery</font>] ... Go to [[Politicians and Candidates]]''</span>

==== ''<span style="font-size: larger"></span>'' ====

= Massachusetts =

== Proposed Laws<br/> ==

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H01985 H01985]

Disclosure. This bill requires corporations to notify their shareholders when making independent expenditures. The top five individuals or entities that donated must say their names and addresses during the advertisement. Bans foreign entities from making expenditures.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00304 S0304]

Senate Bill 304 will address the problems created by the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC by requiring new levels of '''disclosure''' and transparency for corporate political spending and prohibiting foreign corporations from influencing elections in Massachusetts.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00305 S00305]

Senate Bill 305 would require corporations spending general treasury funds on political advertisements to '''notify shareholders '''of those expenditures in quarterly reports. Additionally, this bill would require corporate managers to get approval from their board of directors prior to spending general treasury funds on political ads. This bill was heard by the [http://www.malegislature.gov/Committees/Joint/J15 Joint Committee on Election Laws] on October 19, after being referred to the committee in January, 2011. The next step for this bill is for the committee chairman [http://www.malegislature.gov/People/Profile/MJM1 Michael Moran] (representing Brookline & Brighton) to call a vote to release it to the House floor. The Senate would also have to act in this process.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00308 S00308]

Senate Bill 308 would establish an optional '''public matching campaign finance '''system for state legislature candidates, reducing the burden of time they must spend fund-raising, and helping ensure that elected officials are politically indebted to the people rather than to big-dollar donors.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00317 S00317]

This bill prohibits public employees from soliciting or receiving gifts while in service.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00322 S0322]

This bill requires disclosure from candidates on expenditures related to issue-specific electioneering communications.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S01577 S01577]

Senate Bill 1577 would reduce the influence of special interest money through campaign finance restrictions which eliminate '''"pay to play"''' opportunities for two key groups with business before the state: lobbyists and state contractors.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H01974 H01974]

This bill sets limits on individual contributions made to candidates and political parties, but not ballot questions.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00772 S00772]

Senate Bill 772, introduced by [http://www.senatoreldridge.com/the-dridge-report/2430/we-the-people-responding-to-the-citizens-united-decision Sen. Jamie Eldridge ](Shirley, Ayer) would call for the US Congress to initiate a Constitutional Amendment "to restore the First Amendment and fair elections to the people."  This is intended to counteract the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC that allowed corporations to spend unlimited amounts on political campaigns. 

 

== Existing Laws<br/> ==

==== [http://www.mass.gov/ocpf/ Massachusetts Office of Campaign & Political Finance] ====

Massachusetts has a public financing system that I do not entirely understand.

[http://www.mass.gov/ocpf/chap55.htm Massachusetts Campaign Finance Law]

A pdf of contribution limits: [[File:Contribution table.pdf|RTENOTITLE]]

Scn 55:6A limits Political Action Committee contributions to candidates as follows:

*governor $150,000;
*lieutenant governor $31,250;
*attorney general $62,500;
*state secretary, treasurer or auditor $37,500;
*state senator & various others $18,750;
*state representative $7,500.

Scn 55:7 puts similar restrictions on loans that a candidate may make to his/her candidate committee.  It also limits donations by individuals to $500/year to each candidate (or $25/year for a donor less than 18 years old,) adding up to less than $12,500 in one year to all candidates.  There is no limit on an individual's contribution to ballot question committees.

Scn 55:8 prohibits campaign or political contributions by businesses or majority stockholders in listed industries that might benefit from state actions.  Media offering free time to one candidate must make equivalent time available to competing candidates.

Scn 55:18G requires radio, TV or internet campaign advertising to disclose who paid for the announcement.  Violation is punishable for $10,000 fine and/or a year in prison.

Scn 55:22 requires reporting of all contributions to affect the vote on "any question submitted to the voters," except by qualified political committees. 

=   =

= Federal<br/> =

== Existing Laws<br/> ==

== Proposed Laws<br/> ==

[http://www.scribd.com/doc/71154073/A-Constitutional-Amendment-to-Reform-Campaign-Finance Overturn Citizens United Constitutional Amendment]

WG/Strategies/Ideas/Campaign Finance Legislation

2011-11-15T23:09:16Z

Stewart76: /* Proposed Laws */

<span style="font-size: smaller">''Return to [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Citizens_United_to_End_Political_Bribery <font color="#0b0080">Citizens United to End Political Bribery</font>] ... Go to [[Politicians and Candidates]]''</span>

==== ''<span style="font-size: larger"></span>'' ====

= Massachusetts =

== Proposed Laws<br/> ==

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H01985 H01985]

Disclosure. This bill requires corporations to notify their shareholders when making independent expenditures. The top five individuals or entities that donated must say their names and addresses during the advertisement. Bans foreign entities from making expenditures.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00304 S0304]

Senate Bill 304 will address the problems created by the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC by requiring new levels of '''disclosure''' and transparency for corporate political spending and prohibiting foreign corporations from influencing elections in Massachusetts.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00305 S00305]

Senate Bill 305 would require corporations spending general treasury funds on political advertisements to '''notify shareholders '''of those expenditures in quarterly reports. Additionally, this bill would require corporate managers to get approval from their board of directors prior to spending general treasury funds on political ads. This bill was heard by the [http://www.malegislature.gov/Committees/Joint/J15 Joint Committee on Election Laws] on October 19, after being referred to the committee in January, 2011. The next step for this bill is for the committee chairman [http://www.malegislature.gov/People/Profile/MJM1 Michael Moran] (representing Brookline & Brighton) to call a vote to release it to the House floor. The Senate would also have to act in this process.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00308 S00308]

Senate Bill 308 would establish an optional '''public matching campaign finance '''system for state legislature candidates, reducing the burden of time they must spend fund-raising, and helping ensure that elected officials are politically indebted to the people rather than to big-dollar donors.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00317 S00317]

This bill prohibits public employees from soliciting or receiving gifts while in service.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00322 S0322]

This bill requires disclosure from candidates on expenditures related to issue-specific electioneering communications.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S01577 S01577]

Senate Bill 1577 would reduce the influence of special interest money through campaign finance restrictions which eliminate '''"pay to play"''' opportunities for two key groups with business before the state: lobbyists and state contractors.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H01974 H01974]
*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00772 S00772]

Senate Bill 772, introduced by [http://www.senatoreldridge.com/the-dridge-report/2430/we-the-people-responding-to-the-citizens-united-decision Sen. Jamie Eldridge ](Shirley, Ayer) would call for the US Congress to initiate a Constitutional Amendment "to restore the First Amendment and fair elections to the people."  This is intended to counteract the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC that allowed corporations to spend unlimited amounts on political campaigns. 

 

== Existing Laws<br/> ==

==== [http://www.mass.gov/ocpf/ Massachusetts Office of Campaign & Political Finance] ====

Massachusetts has a public financing system that I do not entirely understand.

[http://www.mass.gov/ocpf/chap55.htm Massachusetts Campaign Finance Law]

A pdf of contribution limits: [[File:Contribution table.pdf|RTENOTITLE]]

Scn 55:6A limits Political Action Committee contributions to candidates as follows:

*governor $150,000;
*lieutenant governor $31,250;
*attorney general $62,500;
*state secretary, treasurer or auditor $37,500;
*state senator & various others $18,750;
*state representative $7,500.

Scn 55:7 puts similar restrictions on loans that a candidate may make to his/her candidate committee.  It also limits donations by individuals to $500/year to each candidate (or $25/year for a donor less than 18 years old,) adding up to less than $12,500 in one year to all candidates.  There is no limit on an individual's contribution to ballot question committees.

Scn 55:8 prohibits campaign or political contributions by businesses or majority stockholders in listed industries that might benefit from state actions.  Media offering free time to one candidate must make equivalent time available to competing candidates.

Scn 55:18G requires radio, TV or internet campaign advertising to disclose who paid for the announcement.  Violation is punishable for $10,000 fine and/or a year in prison.

Scn 55:22 requires reporting of all contributions to affect the vote on "any question submitted to the voters," except by qualified political committees. 

=   =

= Federal<br/> =

== Existing Laws<br/> ==

== Proposed Laws<br/> ==

[http://www.scribd.com/doc/71154073/A-Constitutional-Amendment-to-Reform-Campaign-Finance Overturn Citizens United Constitutional Amendment]

WG/Strategies/Ideas/Campaign Finance Legislation

2011-11-15T23:01:48Z

Stewart76: /* Proposed Laws */

<span style="font-size: smaller">''Return to [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Citizens_United_to_End_Political_Bribery <font color="#0b0080">Citizens United to End Political Bribery</font>] ... Go to [[Politicians and Candidates]]''</span>

==== ''<span style="font-size: larger"></span>'' ====

= Massachusetts =

== Proposed Laws<br/> ==

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H01985 H01985]

Disclosure. This bill requires corporations to notify their shareholders when making independent expenditures. The top five individuals or entities that donated must say their names and addresses during the advertisement. Bans foreign entities from making expenditures.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00304 S0304]

Senate Bill 304 will address the problems created by the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC by requiring new levels of '''disclosure''' and transparency for corporate political spending and prohibiting foreign corporations from influencing elections in Massachusetts.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00305 S00305]

Senate Bill 305 would require corporations spending general treasury funds on political advertisements to '''notify shareholders '''of those expenditures in quarterly reports. Additionally, this bill would require corporate managers to get approval from their board of directors prior to spending general treasury funds on political ads. This bill was heard by the [http://www.malegislature.gov/Committees/Joint/J15 Joint Committee on Election Laws] on October 19, after being referred to the committee in January, 2011. The next step for this bill is for the committee chairman [http://www.malegislature.gov/People/Profile/MJM1 Michael Moran] (representing Brookline & Brighton) to call a vote to release it to the House floor. The Senate would also have to act in this process.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00308 S00308]

Senate Bill 308 would establish an optional '''public matching campaign finance '''system for state legislature candidates, reducing the burden of time they must spend fund-raising, and helping ensure that elected officials are politically indebted to the people rather than to big-dollar donors.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00317 S00317]

This bill prohibits public employees from soliciting or receiving gifts while in service.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00322 S0322]
*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S01577 S01577]

Senate Bill 1577 would reduce the influence of special interest money through campaign finance restrictions which eliminate '''"pay to play"''' opportunities for two key groups with business before the state: lobbyists and state contractors.

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H01974 H01974]
*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00772 S00772]

Senate Bill 772, introduced by [http://www.senatoreldridge.com/the-dridge-report/2430/we-the-people-responding-to-the-citizens-united-decision Sen. Jamie Eldridge ](Shirley, Ayer) would call for the US Congress to initiate a Constitutional Amendment "to restore the First Amendment and fair elections to the people."  This is intended to counteract the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC that allowed corporations to spend unlimited amounts on political campaigns. 

 

== Existing Laws<br/> ==

==== [http://www.mass.gov/ocpf/ Massachusetts Office of Campaign & Political Finance] ====

Massachusetts has a public financing system that I do not entirely understand.

[http://www.mass.gov/ocpf/chap55.htm Massachusetts Campaign Finance Law]

A pdf of contribution limits: [[File:Contribution table.pdf|RTENOTITLE]]

Scn 55:6A limits Political Action Committee contributions to candidates as follows:

*governor $150,000;
*lieutenant governor $31,250;
*attorney general $62,500;
*state secretary, treasurer or auditor $37,500;
*state senator & various others $18,750;
*state representative $7,500.

Scn 55:7 puts similar restrictions on loans that a candidate may make to his/her candidate committee.  It also limits donations by individuals to $500/year to each candidate (or $25/year for a donor less than 18 years old,) adding up to less than $12,500 in one year to all candidates.  There is no limit on an individual's contribution to ballot question committees.

Scn 55:8 prohibits campaign or political contributions by businesses or majority stockholders in listed industries that might benefit from state actions.  Media offering free time to one candidate must make equivalent time available to competing candidates.

Scn 55:18G requires radio, TV or internet campaign advertising to disclose who paid for the announcement.  Violation is punishable for $10,000 fine and/or a year in prison.

Scn 55:22 requires reporting of all contributions to affect the vote on "any question submitted to the voters," except by qualified political committees. 

=   =

= Federal<br/> =

== Existing Laws<br/> ==

== Proposed Laws<br/> ==

[http://www.scribd.com/doc/71154073/A-Constitutional-Amendment-to-Reform-Campaign-Finance Overturn Citizens United Constitutional Amendment]

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)

2011-11-14T21:52:04Z

Stewart76: /* MA Legislation for Campaign Finance Reform */

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (CUEPB) is a Working Group formed to pursue goals related to getting corporate money out of politics.  We will focus on realistic actions in Massachusetts, but will also extend our efforts to nationwide politics when we can.  This wiki page and its subsidiary pages will be our place to collect information and discuss ideas before bringing proposals to Occupy Boston General Assembly.  Everything here should be considered a draft, unless conspicuously labeled otherwise.  To participate, come to one of our scheduled meetings or comment on the discussion tab for a page.  You can also edit a page, but we'd like to know who's involved, so please introduce yourself somewhere in some fashion.

== Meetings:<br/> ==

Next Meeting will be:  TBD; Communicate through wiki and email for now. Email sandersh6000@gmail.com to join email list. Some of us will attend Move to Amend's meeting this Thursday, Nov. 17 at 7:00 Thursday in the Arlington St. Church (near intersection with Boylston St.)

[[Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29]]

[[Minutes from Nov. 1]]

 

== Next Steps Agreed on: ==

Gather interested people - People are invited to participate here and/or email sandersh6000@gmail.com to identify themselves as part of this Working Group. The Nov. 12 Open Discussion group recommends that we collaborate with existing activities on campaign funding by Move to Amend and the Coffee Party.

Collect and summarize information on the wiki - Edit the Background Information pages below to add links and/or summarize what's in a link.

== MA Legislation for Campaign Finance Reform ==

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H01985 H01985]
Disclosure. This bill requires corporations to notify their shareholders when making independent expenditures. The top five individuals or entities that donated must say their names and addresses during the advertisement. Bans foreign entities from making expenditures.
*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00305 S00305]
This bill would require corporations spending general treasury funds on political advertisements to notify their shareholders of those expenditures in quarterly reports. Additionally, this bill would require corporate managers to get approval from their board of directors prior to spending general treasury funds on political ads.
*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00304 S0304]
This bill will address the problems created by the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC by requiring new levels of disclosure and transparency for corporate political spending and prohibiting foreign corporations from influencing elections in Massachusetts.
*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00308 S00308]
*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00317 S00317]
*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00322 S0322]
*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S01577 S01577]
*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H01974 H01974]
*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00772 S00772]
Resolution calling for a federal amendment overturning citizens united

This information was provided by Representative Martha Walz. We are hoping to influence some action in the area of campaign finance reform at the state level, when they start their next session in January.

=== Other Ideas Not Endorsed in a Meeting: ===

Decide if we support proposed state legislation [http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00305 <font color="#3366bb">Bill S.305</font>] “Massachusetts Corporate Accountability Act of 2011."  If so, the next step might be to have Brookline/Brighton residents find out[http://www.malegislature.gov/People/Profile/MJM1 Michael Moran's ]plans for calling a committee vote on the bill.

Attend Move to Amend meeting against Citizens United, to be held at 7:00 Thursday, Nov. 17 at the Arlington St. Church (near intersection with Boylston St.) 

Attend (or watch livestream) [http://www.northeastern.edu/teachin/ Northeastern's Teach In] on Sunday, Nov. 13 about the state of the economy, especially the afternoon sessions:

*'''12:30 – 2:00''' Politics and economics: what went wrong?
*'''2:15 – 3:45''' What can be done? Reclaiming our economy and our democracy.

Get involved in Move to Amend's [http://movetoamend.org/occupythecourts Occupy the Courts] on the anniversary of Citizens United (January 20, 2012).

Get involved in Public Citizen's [http://democracyisforpeople.org/ Democracy is for the People] action on the anniversary of Citizens United (January 21, 2012).

== Sub-topics:  ==

*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/SPP_End_Corporate_Personhood SPP End Corporate Personhood]

  

== Background Information: ==

[[Campaign Finance Legislation]] (passed and pending)

[[Politicians and Candidates]]

[http://www.cfinst.org/data.aspx Campaign Finance Institute (Nonpartisan? Resource)]

[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67460.html Jack Abramoff: How to End Corruption ](in Politico.com)

== Groups Outside Occupy Boston ==

[http://movetoamend.org http://movetoamend.org]  "'''We, the People of the United States of America, reject the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United, and move to amend our Constitution to:'''

*Firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.
*Guarantee the right to vote and to participate, and to have our vote and participation count.
*Protect local communities, their economies, and democracies against illegitimate "preemption" actions by global, national, and state governments.

The Supreme Court is misguided in principle, and wrong on the law. In a democracy, the people rule. '''[http://movetoamend.org/motion-amend We Move to Amend.]"'''

----

[http://www.coffeepartyusa.com http://www.coffeepartyusa.com] and [http://www.facebook.com/bostoncoffeeparty http://www.facebook.com/bostoncoffeeparty] "The nonpartisan national Coffee Party movement is a call to action, to make government more accountable to the people.  The Greater Boston chapter focuses on state and local issues, in addition to participating in national Coffee Party campaign.  We are currently working for passage of key state legislation in two areas: money in politics, and civic education."  Contact [mailto:coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com]

----

  

== Contact for Working Group "Citizens United to End Political Bribery" ==

Honi Sanders: sandersh6000 at gmail dot com

You can sign up to receive emails at [[https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited]]
 

 

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (Working Group)

2011-11-14T21:46:55Z

Stewart76: /* Next Steps Agreed on: */

Citizens United to End Political Bribery (CUEPB) is a Working Group formed to pursue goals related to getting corporate money out of politics.  We will focus on realistic actions in Massachusetts, but will also extend our efforts to nationwide politics when we can.  This wiki page and its subsidiary pages will be our place to collect information and discuss ideas before bringing proposals to Occupy Boston General Assembly.  Everything here should be considered a draft, unless conspicuously labeled otherwise.  To participate, come to one of our scheduled meetings or comment on the discussion tab for a page.  You can also edit a page, but we'd like to know who's involved, so please introduce yourself somewhere in some fashion.

== Meetings:<br/> ==

Next Meeting will be:  TBD; Communicate through wiki and email for now. Email sandersh6000@gmail.com to join email list. Some of us will attend Move to Amend's meeting this Thursday, Nov. 17 at 7:00 Thursday in the Arlington St. Church (near intersection with Boylston St.)

[[Notes from Nov. 12 Open Discussion: SJR29]]

[[Minutes from Nov. 1]]

 

== Next Steps Agreed on: ==

Gather interested people - People are invited to participate here and/or email sandersh6000@gmail.com to identify themselves as part of this Working Group. The Nov. 12 Open Discussion group recommends that we collaborate with existing activities on campaign funding by Move to Amend and the Coffee Party.

Collect and summarize information on the wiki - Edit the Background Information pages below to add links and/or summarize what's in a link.

== MA Legislation for Campaign Finance Reform ==

*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H01985]
Disclosure. This bill requires corporations to notify their shareholders when making independent expenditures. The top five individuals or entities that donated must say their names and addresses during the advertisement. Bans foreign entities from making expenditures.
*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00305]
This bill would require corporations spending general treasury funds on political advertisements to notify their shareholders of those expenditures in quarterly reports. Additionally, this bill would require corporate managers to get approval from their board of directors prior to spending general treasury funds on political ads.
*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00304]
This bill will address the problems created by the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC by requiring new levels of disclosure and transparency for corporate political spending and prohibiting foreign corporations from influencing elections in Massachusetts.
*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00308]
*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00317]
*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00322]
*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S01577]
*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H01974]
*[http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00772]
Resolution calling for a federal amendment overturning citizens united

This information was provided by Representative Martha Walz. We are hoping to influence some action in the area of campaign finance reform at the state level, when they start their next session in January.

=== Other Ideas Not Endorsed in a Meeting: ===

Decide if we support proposed state legislation [http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00305 <font color="#3366bb">Bill S.305</font>] “Massachusetts Corporate Accountability Act of 2011."  If so, the next step might be to have Brookline/Brighton residents find out[http://www.malegislature.gov/People/Profile/MJM1 Michael Moran's ]plans for calling a committee vote on the bill.

Attend Move to Amend meeting against Citizens United, to be held at 7:00 Thursday, Nov. 17 at the Arlington St. Church (near intersection with Boylston St.) 

Attend (or watch livestream) [http://www.northeastern.edu/teachin/ Northeastern's Teach In] on Sunday, Nov. 13 about the state of the economy, especially the afternoon sessions:

*'''12:30 – 2:00''' Politics and economics: what went wrong?
*'''2:15 – 3:45''' What can be done? Reclaiming our economy and our democracy.

Get involved in Move to Amend's [http://movetoamend.org/occupythecourts Occupy the Courts] on the anniversary of Citizens United (January 20, 2012).

Get involved in Public Citizen's [http://democracyisforpeople.org/ Democracy is for the People] action on the anniversary of Citizens United (January 21, 2012).

== Sub-topics:  ==

*[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/SPP_End_Corporate_Personhood SPP End Corporate Personhood]

  

== Background Information: ==

[[Campaign Finance Legislation]] (passed and pending)

[[Politicians and Candidates]]

[http://www.cfinst.org/data.aspx Campaign Finance Institute (Nonpartisan? Resource)]

[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67460.html Jack Abramoff: How to End Corruption ](in Politico.com)

== Groups Outside Occupy Boston ==

[http://movetoamend.org http://movetoamend.org]  "'''We, the People of the United States of America, reject the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United, and move to amend our Constitution to:'''

*Firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.
*Guarantee the right to vote and to participate, and to have our vote and participation count.
*Protect local communities, their economies, and democracies against illegitimate "preemption" actions by global, national, and state governments.

The Supreme Court is misguided in principle, and wrong on the law. In a democracy, the people rule. '''[http://movetoamend.org/motion-amend We Move to Amend.]"'''

----

[http://www.coffeepartyusa.com http://www.coffeepartyusa.com] and [http://www.facebook.com/bostoncoffeeparty http://www.facebook.com/bostoncoffeeparty] "The nonpartisan national Coffee Party movement is a call to action, to make government more accountable to the people.  The Greater Boston chapter focuses on state and local issues, in addition to participating in national Coffee Party campaign.  We are currently working for passage of key state legislation in two areas: money in politics, and civic education."  Contact [mailto:coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com coffeepartybostonma@gmail.com]

----

  

== Contact for Working Group "Citizens United to End Political Bribery" ==

Honi Sanders: sandersh6000 at gmail dot com

You can sign up to receive emails at [[https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/citizensunited]]
 

 

GA/Proposals/Undetermined

2011-11-07T15:51:22Z

Stewart76: Created page with "===Proposal to support the Constitutional Amendment to Reform Campaign Finance=== "As money has been a corrupting force in our democracy, and disproportionately favors the desir..."

===Proposal to support the Constitutional Amendment to Reform Campaign Finance===

"As money has been a corrupting force in our democracy, and disproportionately favors the desires of the few over the needs of the many, Occupy Boston supports the "Constitutional Amendment to Reform Campaign Finance" introduced in the Senate last week allowing Congress and the states to limit money in politics."

This proposal is being presented by the End Corporate Bribery Working Group
*Open Discussion: TBD (Possibly before or after the ideas group public discussion on political actions on Friday at 7PM)
*GA Presentation Night: TBD (Possibly Sunday Nov. 13 or Wednesday Nov. 16)
*Copies will be posted in Library Tent

WG/Strategies/Ideas/Minutes/Oct - 3 Nov 2011

2011-11-06T12:37:06Z

Stewart76: /* Sun Oct 31 */

===Thurs Nov 3===

Next Ideas Group Meeting: Sunday 11/6 9:30PM Meet at Ghandi Statue
Next Public Discussion: Monday 11/7 7:00PM General Assembly Area
Discussion Topic: What are the Values that we as Occupy Boston all share

*Report Backs
**SPP Group met this week and expressed interest in joining the ideas groups as a way of getting feedback on written proposals and possibly using part of our Public Discussion Forums to present such proposals for feedback
**A Legislative Proposals Group formed out of last ideas group meeting. They are working on a proposal for the state legislature to get money out of politics.
**Recap of First Open Discussion--see minutes under Public Meetings
*Plan for Next Open Discussion
**Analysis of Data collected from wiki and whiteboard:
***Specific Tactics (Fri)
***Overcoming Divisions (Fri)
***Values and Message Statement Topics (Mon)
*Formation of Values Task force to meet Friday after discussion
*How can we improve discussions
**affinity group method
**the law of two feet

===Sun Oct 30===
Next Ideas Group Meeting: Thursday 9:30PM, meet at Ghandi Statue 11/3
Next Public Discussion: Friday 7:00PM, General assembly area 11/4
Move Your Money Speak Out: Wednesday 8:00PM, General assembly area 11/2
*Mission
**Statement
**Announcents for GA
**Let people know what group is doing
*Discuss Topics for Friday's Discussion
**broad tactics
**on site/off site divide
**implement acts of kindness
**leadership and transparency
**continue momentum of move your money
**creation of a legislative reforms working groups
*White Board Question: "What issue do you want to discuss?"
**post answers on link from ideas main page
**find ideas whiteboard at campsite
**topics will be chosen on Thursday based on feedback

===Wed Oct 26===
====plan for Friday night discussion====
*Next strategic steps ( how will occupy boston develop?)
**our camp
**indoor space
**model change
*Move your money / Banks
**alternatives
**nonviolence
**partnership with DCU / Liberty
*TBD friday night
**small group
**input on agenda items
**hot or not model
*How does Occupy Boston preserve it's momentum?
**( temp check taken and this will be our discussion topic)
** Publicize on Facebook, twitter, wiki, whiteboard, APB to *working groups.
** Format of discussion- Stated that the goal of this discussion will be to bring out and foster the seeds of autonomous actions, working group proposals, positions
**Small groups, time check in with temp check, Step forward step back
**Facilitated by Noah and Andrew, Note taking and time keeping by Laura and George
====other items====
*Planning subsequent topics
** Head to Head (hot or not)
** Online/ whiteboard

*Contingency plan -Next steps (winterization/other strategies) *Move your money day -living document -Name of group *Strategy/expansion
**New methods
**validating
**collecting other people's ideas

===Meeting time===
Wed 6pm / Sun 9:30 pm/ dicussion fri at 7

WG/Strategies/Ideas/Minutes/Oct - 3 Nov 2011

2011-11-06T11:59:59Z

Stewart76: /* Agenda */

===Sun Oct 31===
====Minutes====
Next Ideas Group Meeting: Thursday 9:30PM, meet at Ghandi Statue 11/3
Next Public Discussion: Friday 7:00PM, General assembly area 11/4
Move Your Money Speak Out: Wednesday 8:00PM, General assembly area 11/2
*Mission
**Statement
**Announcents for GA
**Let people know what group is doing
*Discuss Topics for Friday's Discussion
**broad tactics
**on site/off site divide
**implement acts of kindness
**leadership and transparency
**continue momentum of move your money
**creation of a legislative reforms working groups
*White Board Question: "What issue do you want to discuss?"
**post answers on link from ideas main page
**find ideas whiteboard at campsite
**topics will be chosen on Thursday based on feedback

===Wed Oct 26===
====plan for Friday night discussion====
*Next strategic steps ( how will occupy boston develop?)
**our camp
**indoor space
**model change
*Move your money / Banks
**alternatives
**nonviolence
**partnership with DCU / Liberty
*TBD friday night
**small group
**input on agenda items
**hot or not model
*How does Occupy Boston preserve it's momentum?
**( temp check taken and this will be our discussion topic)
** Publicize on Facebook, twitter, wiki, whiteboard, APB to *working groups.
** Format of discussion- Stated that the goal of this discussion will be to bring out and foster the seeds of autonomous actions, working group proposals, positions
**Small groups, time check in with temp check, Step forward step back
**Facilitated by Noah and Andrew, Note taking and time keeping by Laura and George
====other items====
*Planning subsequent topics
** Head to Head (hot or not)
** Online/ whiteboard

*Contingency plan -Next steps (winterization/other strategies) *Move your money day -living document -Name of group *Strategy/expansion
**New methods
**validating
**collecting other people's ideas

===Meeting time===
Wed 6pm / Sun 9:30 pm/ dicussion fri at 7

Talk:WG/Strategies/Direct Action/Bank Transfer Day

2011-11-01T17:49:21Z

Stewart76: /* Flyering to Support Move Your Money Day */

==Solidarity Message from Move Your Money - Philly==
:[[user:wooriginal]] Yesterday 9:18 am
Below is a message of solidarity we received from MYM Philly.

/

MYM Boston,

On behalf of Move Your Money Philly I wanted to reach out and say hello to our friends in Boston. We stand with you 100% and are also aligned with the November 5th Bank Transfer Day.

We should have a website up soon, in the meantime here is our facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Philadelphia-Move-Your-Money-Committee/200035733401590

Please keep me up to date as to how your efforts are coming along, all of us in MYM Philly would be very excited to hear about your success ! In the future it may also be worthwhile to share what strategies seem to work/not work. Furthermore, if you are aware of any other MYM movements in other city's perhaps we could create an email list or google group so we can help each other. You are the only other group I am currently aware of.

In Solidarity,
Adam
MYM Philly

==Credit Cards?==
:[[user:ObieBlu]] Wednesday, 8:27 pm
I haven't yet looked into it myself, but a lot of friends and acquaintances are telling me that banks are no longer offering personal debt-consolidation loans. I had one 5 years ago, and I paid it off early. it was a huge help.

I want to get my credit card debt away from Bank of America. (Debt that I accrued due to a lay-off and a year and a half of unemployment.)

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!
====re: Credit Cards?====
::[[user:chromeangel]] Wednesday, 9:00 pm
ObieBlu,

Have you spoken with a credit union about this matter? Do you think they might be able to assist you with debt consolidation?
====re: Credit Cards?====
::[[user:ObieBlu]] Thursday, 8:33 am
I'm in the process of transferring my residency from NH to Boston, my credit union is in NH, and I haven't had a business day to go up and inquire.

I put this out there as more of a general information. I have friends who have tried, and their banks no longer offer personal loans of this nature.

Does anyone have suggestions for local Boston credit unions that they'e had success with debt-consolidation loans?

I REALLY don't want to give another cent to BoA...

==Recommendations?==
:[[user:swoopv3]] Wednesday, 8:02 pm
Who's got recommendations/info? I'm in the Allston area!
====re: Recommendations?====
::[[user:swoopv3]] Wednesday, 8:24 pm
hmmm this place looks cool:

Metro Credit Union on Comm. Ave.: https://www.metrocu.org/home/personal

==Move you money==
:[[user:Ilove2eatVeggies]] Oct 18, 2011 10:07 am
I went to the Occupy Boston page for help to find the right bank or credit union to switch to, it led me to a site called HelloWallet. I entered my zip code and it gave me a list of banks and credit unions in the Boston area. I scrolled down the list and saw Wainwright Bank and Trust and I know that they received bailout money. I think you should let the users of the link know that the site you lead them to is not banks and credit unions that you recommend, just ones that are in thier area.
====re: Move you money====
::[[user:wooriginal]] Oct 18, 2011 11:20 am
Will do.

== Flyering to Support Move Your Money Day ==

I'd like to gather people to flier other large events to advertize this MYMD. I've written to MYMD asking for a flier.

Are other folks planning anything like this?

I scouted out two events we might flyer

10/30; Komen Road Race for Cure

11/2; meeting of banking professionals

Harvard Sq. any day

Post Office Square Park...I think this would be best..if the weather is nice folks will be out eating lunch...we could also go thru the shopping district...Nov. 1? or 3?

A.

This is a great idea! Please come to the MYM public discussion on Wed Nov 2 at 7PM, we can organize this then.

WG/Strategies/Direct Action/Bank Transfer Day

2011-11-01T17:46:17Z

Stewart76: /* Public Discussion on Wednesday 11/2 at 7PM in General Assembly Area */

==Move Your Money Public Discussion on Wednesday 11/2 at 7PM in General Assembly Area==

<span style="color: #000080;">'''Move Your Money / Bank Transfer Day'''</span><br>
<span style="color: #000080;">'''Saturday - November 5, 2011'''</span>

If the 99% removes our funds from the major banking institutions to non-profit credit unions on or before November 5, we will send a clear message to the 1% that conscious consumers will not support institutions with unethical business practices. Bank of America, CHASE, and the other big banks are so large and behave so irresponsibly that they put our entire economy at risk. The American people have already had to bail them out once, and the bank's actions have not changed. Our logical response at this point is to '''move ''our'' money'''.

There are dozens of Credit Unions and small, local banks near you. Many will reimburse you for ATM fees (so you can keep using the ATM locations your accustomed to), and none of them will charge you debit card fees like those Bank of America is beginning to charge.

== Take Action ==

It's surprisingly easy to money your money:

#[https://www.hellowallet.com/mym/list.php Find a Credit Union or small, local bank] ''* The credit unions and banks listed are not necessarily those that we recommend, but rather those found in your area''
#===Open an account at the Credit Union or small, local bank===

**Order Checks and Debit Card
**Ask your employer to reroute your direct deposit
**Contact companies that direct-debit your account reroute their debits

#===Transfer your funds to the new account <span style="background-color: #ffff00;">on or before November 5</span>===
#===Follow your bank's procedures to close your account===
#===Join us in Dewey Square to celebrate and march on Saturday, November 5===

If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the ''Discussion'' tab for this page, or email us at [mailto:MoveYourMoneyBoston@gmail.com MoveYourMoneyBoston@gmail.com]

----

NOTE: credit unions and small local banks have different legal structures, and the difference is a meaningful one. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_union Credit unions are non-profits]. Whether a bank is small and/or local, it is a for-profit institution. Size alone is not determinate. There are many other questions that need to be answered, for instance: 

*Is the small, local bank part of a larger institution? Many small local banks have been bought by larger entities, retaining their small, local names - but not much else.
*Where are key decisions made and by whom? 
*How many of the bank's services are contracted out to larger institutions?

This is simply a point of clarification, not an attempt to influence anyone's decision.

==Why Should We Move Our Money?==
* '''End Too Big To Fail''' - The big banks on Wall Street gambled with our money, then demanded a bailout of $700 billion. The size of these Wall Street "Banksters" threatens our economic system, yet their size has only <u>increased</u> since we bailed them out. According to FDIC data, the largest 5 banks held 13% of US deposits in 1994, today they hold 38%. If the government wont step in and break them up, then we must move our money ourselves and end "Too Big To Fail" once and for all.
* '''Invest in Main Street, Not Wall Street''' - When you keep your money in a local financial institution, that money in turn is reinvested in local businesses, which is important for building a stable economy and encouraging local growth. Put your money in the big Wall Street banks however, and they will use your deposits to make risky investments, gambling at the expense of the economy as a whole.
* '''Fewer Fees, More Savings''' - Worried about ATM fees? You shouldn’t be. More and more community banks and credit unions offer ATM surcharge-free networks, providing you with even more access to ATMs nationwide. Community banks and credit unions also charge on average less in fees, and often pay you higher interest on your accounts than big banks. The numbers are clear: the bigger the bank, the higher the fees.
== ==
==Move Your Money Project==

* [http://www.facebook.com/MoveYourMoney Facebook]
* [http://moveyourmoneyproject.org Website]

-------
''Based on: [http://occupyboston.wikispaces.com/Bank+Transfer+Day Bank Transfer Day at wikispaces]''

WG/Strategies/Direct Action/Bank Transfer Day

2011-11-01T17:44:56Z

Stewart76: /* Move Your Money out of major banks to Credit Unions and small, local banks! */

==Public Discussion on Wednesday 11/2 at 7PM in General Assembly Area==

<span style="color: #000080;">'''Move Your Money / Bank Transfer Day'''</span><br>
<span style="color: #000080;">'''Saturday - November 5, 2011'''</span>

If the 99% removes our funds from the major banking institutions to non-profit credit unions on or before November 5, we will send a clear message to the 1% that conscious consumers will not support institutions with unethical business practices. Bank of America, CHASE, and the other big banks are so large and behave so irresponsibly that they put our entire economy at risk. The American people have already had to bail them out once, and the bank's actions have not changed. Our logical response at this point is to '''move ''our'' money'''.

There are dozens of Credit Unions and small, local banks near you. Many will reimburse you for ATM fees (so you can keep using the ATM locations your accustomed to), and none of them will charge you debit card fees like those Bank of America is beginning to charge.

== Take Action ==

It's surprisingly easy to money your money:

#[https://www.hellowallet.com/mym/list.php Find a Credit Union or small, local bank] ''* The credit unions and banks listed are not necessarily those that we recommend, but rather those found in your area''
#===Open an account at the Credit Union or small, local bank===

**Order Checks and Debit Card
**Ask your employer to reroute your direct deposit
**Contact companies that direct-debit your account reroute their debits

#===Transfer your funds to the new account <span style="background-color: #ffff00;">on or before November 5</span>===
#===Follow your bank's procedures to close your account===
#===Join us in Dewey Square to celebrate and march on Saturday, November 5===

If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the ''Discussion'' tab for this page, or email us at [mailto:MoveYourMoneyBoston@gmail.com MoveYourMoneyBoston@gmail.com]

----

NOTE: credit unions and small local banks have different legal structures, and the difference is a meaningful one. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_union Credit unions are non-profits]. Whether a bank is small and/or local, it is a for-profit institution. Size alone is not determinate. There are many other questions that need to be answered, for instance: 

*Is the small, local bank part of a larger institution? Many small local banks have been bought by larger entities, retaining their small, local names - but not much else.
*Where are key decisions made and by whom? 
*How many of the bank's services are contracted out to larger institutions?

This is simply a point of clarification, not an attempt to influence anyone's decision.

==Why Should We Move Our Money?==
* '''End Too Big To Fail''' - The big banks on Wall Street gambled with our money, then demanded a bailout of $700 billion. The size of these Wall Street "Banksters" threatens our economic system, yet their size has only <u>increased</u> since we bailed them out. According to FDIC data, the largest 5 banks held 13% of US deposits in 1994, today they hold 38%. If the government wont step in and break them up, then we must move our money ourselves and end "Too Big To Fail" once and for all.
* '''Invest in Main Street, Not Wall Street''' - When you keep your money in a local financial institution, that money in turn is reinvested in local businesses, which is important for building a stable economy and encouraging local growth. Put your money in the big Wall Street banks however, and they will use your deposits to make risky investments, gambling at the expense of the economy as a whole.
* '''Fewer Fees, More Savings''' - Worried about ATM fees? You shouldn’t be. More and more community banks and credit unions offer ATM surcharge-free networks, providing you with even more access to ATMs nationwide. Community banks and credit unions also charge on average less in fees, and often pay you higher interest on your accounts than big banks. The numbers are clear: the bigger the bank, the higher the fees.
== ==
==Move Your Money Project==

* [http://www.facebook.com/MoveYourMoney Facebook]
* [http://moveyourmoneyproject.org Website]

-------
''Based on: [http://occupyboston.wikispaces.com/Bank+Transfer+Day Bank Transfer Day at wikispaces]''

WG/Strategies/Ideas

2011-10-31T12:56:21Z

Stewart76: /* Working Group Mission Statement */

=Ideas Working Group=

==Working Group Mission Statement==

The Ideas working group will actively seek out the contributions from the Occupy Boston encampment, its community of supporters, and from society at large. It will develop transparent and inclusive methods of organizing these ideas in order to facilitate their exchange and development. We will also host open discussions on widely held concerns and values, as well as around important questions of strategy.

The next '''OBIdeas Public Discussion''' will be: Friday, 4 November, 7-9 in the GA Area. What do you want to discuss? [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Vote_here&action=edit vote here]

Working group '''meetings''' (open to all): '''Thursday 9:30pm''' location: meet at the Gandhi statue '''Wednesday, 2 November 6-7 pm''' location: South Station Mezzanine (2nd floor above/behind McDonalds)

[[Join the Ideas email list]] - email your ideas, get emails whenever anyone post to the list or view the archive of messages

[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin&type=signup&returnto=Main_Page Join the wiki]. Have some ideas you are developing? Consider putting a link to them in the group workspace: [[User:WG-ideas]] You can also create your own user page by clicking on your name in the upper right.

==Meeting Notes==
[[Ideas Working Group Meeting Notes]]

[[Ideas Public Discussion Notes]]

Below are some ideas we have been discussing, voting on, and collecting. Check out the Discussion tab for more.

==Discussion and Background about Demands and Values==
- The approved [[Road_Map|Statement of Purpose]]

- SPECIFIC PROPOSED LANGUAGE for a [[Road_Map|Message Statement]] (aka "the Roadmap") and associated edits/discussion. Detailed workpage on [[Ideas Statement New Title|a new title]].

- [[Human Rights]] workpage

- [[Strategies,_Proposals,_Positions|Other ideas/reforms and discussions]]. NOTE: this is the old SPP page, cleaned up a bit. NOTHING IS MISSING. Don't worry.

- DISCUSSION ARCHIVES

Older [[talk:statement of purpose|discussions]] about the original statement of purpose

== [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Education Education and Reading] ==

A list of interesting reading and analysis.

==Transcribed banners==
We will continue to post questions on whiteboards, banners, and the giant notepad in the Library, transcribe them and explore new and useful ways of presenting the ideas.
'''
To contribute to the wordclouds below, click the question at the left, click edit on the top right, and then add your response''' (Note: you must first create a user account before you register. Please do!). We will periodically update the wordclouds until we figure out a way to have them update in real time.

Also check out www.wearebeings.org for more cool word clouds

===[[What's Wrong with our Country?]]===
[[File:What'sWrong WordCloud2.jpg|RTENOTITLE]]

===[[What's Right with our Country?]]===
[[File:What'sRight WordCloud.jpg|RTENOTITLE]]

===[[Why do you Occupy?]]===
[[File:WhyWeOccupy WordCloud2.jpg|RTENOTITLE]]

Testaments of the 99% (would not upload)

WG/Strategies/Ideas/Minutes/Oct - 3 Nov 2011

2011-10-31T12:53:42Z

Stewart76: /* Sun Oct 31 */

===Sun Oct 31===
====Agenda====
Next Ideas Group Meeting: Thursday 9:30PM, meet at Ghandi Statue 11/3
Next Public Discussion: Friday 7:00PM, General assembly area 11/4
Move Your Money Speak Out: Wednesday 8:00PM, General assembly area 11/2
*Mission
**Statement
**Announcents for GA
**Let people know what group is doing
*Discuss Topics for Friday's Discussion
**broad tactics
**on site/off site divide
**implement acts of kindness
**leadership and transparency
**continue momentum of move your money
**creation of a legislative reforms working groups
*White Board Question: "What issue do you want to discuss?"
**post answers on link from ideas main page
**find ideas whiteboard at campsite
**topics will be chosen on Thursday based on feedback

===Wed Oct 26===
====plan for Friday night discussion====
*Next strategic steps ( how will occupy boston develop?)
**our camp
**indoor space
**model change
*Move your money / Banks
**alternatives
**nonviolence
**partnership with DCU / Liberty
*TBD friday night
**small group
**input on agenda items
**hot or not model
*How does Occupy Boston preserve it's momentum?
**( temp check taken and this will be our discussion topic)
** Publicize on Facebook, twitter, wiki, whiteboard, APB to *working groups.
** Format of discussion- Stated that the goal of this discussion will be to bring out and foster the seeds of autonomous actions, working group proposals, positions
**Small groups, time check in with temp check, Step forward step back
**Facilitated by Noah and Andrew, Note taking and time keeping by Laura and George
====other items====
*Planning subsequent topics
** Head to Head (hot or not)
** Online/ whiteboard

*Contingency plan -Next steps (winterization/other strategies) *Move your money day -living document -Name of group *Strategy/expansion
**New methods
**validating
**collecting other people's ideas

===Meeting time===
Wed 6pm / Sun 9:30 pm/ dicussion fri at 7

WG/Strategies/Ideas/Minutes/Oct - 3 Nov 2011

2011-10-31T12:52:09Z

Stewart76: /* Wed Oct 26 */

===Sun Oct 31===
====Agenda====
Next Ideas Group Meeting: Thursday 9:30PM, meet at Ghandi Statue 11/3
Next Public Discussion: Friday 7:00PM, General assembly area 11/4
Move Your Money Speak Out: Wednesday 8:00PM, General assembly area 11/2
*Mission
**Statement
**Announcents for GA
**Let people know what group is doing
*Discuss Topics for Friday's Discussion
**broad tactics
**on site/off site divide
**implement acts of kindness
**leadership and transparency
**continue momentum of move your money
**creation of a legislative reforms working groups
*White Board Question: "What issue do you want to discuss?"
**post answers on wiki main page
**find ideas whiteboard at campsite
**topics will be chosen on Thursday based on feedback

===Wed Oct 26===
====plan for Friday night discussion====
*Next strategic steps ( how will occupy boston develop?)
**our camp
**indoor space
**model change
*Move your money / Banks
**alternatives
**nonviolence
**partnership with DCU / Liberty
*TBD friday night
**small group
**input on agenda items
**hot or not model
*How does Occupy Boston preserve it's momentum?
**( temp check taken and this will be our discussion topic)
** Publicize on Facebook, twitter, wiki, whiteboard, APB to *working groups.
** Format of discussion- Stated that the goal of this discussion will be to bring out and foster the seeds of autonomous actions, working group proposals, positions
**Small groups, time check in with temp check, Step forward step back
**Facilitated by Noah and Andrew, Note taking and time keeping by Laura and George
====other items====
*Planning subsequent topics
** Head to Head (hot or not)
** Online/ whiteboard

*Contingency plan -Next steps (winterization/other strategies) *Move your money day -living document -Name of group *Strategy/expansion
**New methods
**validating
**collecting other people's ideas

===Meeting time===
Wed 6pm / Sun 9:30 pm/ dicussion fri at 7

WG/Strategies/Ideas/Brainstorm

2011-10-31T08:49:03Z

Stewart76:

==list of ideas==
Add your idea with a* in front of it
*coffee break in the afternoon
*free cigarretees
*what happened online
*can we pass anything? or are we just building our bureaucracy?
*strategic ways to vote with our dollars

Talk:WG/Strategies/Ideas

2011-10-31T08:32:38Z

Stewart76: /* Move Your Money Day, 11/5 */

== Move Occupation Every Week to Symbolic Indoor Location ==

If the elites know you're moving in a week, they won't kick you out. Generate a list; send it to the locales in question (and take out an ad the Boston Globe)asking for permission to camp in their lobby for a week, at an undetermined time. The day before the move, draw straws to decide where. Any company that refused shelter will be a "no room at the inn" inn.

Besides companies, we might possibly consider very friendly sites like the Arlington Street Church and other 'moral message' supportive locales.

A third class of locations to consider is college campuses -- they have lots of outdoor space, and also possibly indoor space.

List of Places
http://www.stpaulboston.org/----Xmas! Demand Non-Profit Compassion (single payer healthcare) START HERE
http://holycrossboston.com/
Arlington St. Church
Fleet Center
City Hall
Fenway Park
Federal Reserve lobby
South Station
Harvard Pilgrim Headquarters
World Trade Center
Is there a Boston Stock Exchange?
Colleges with big military programs--MIT.
Latest Real Estate Boondogle, Columbia Center, Winn Real Estate http://articles.boston.com/2011-05-14/business/29543519_1_donation-scheme-illegal-donations-sentenci

== Message vs No Message, pro and con ==

This is suggestion for a topic for a Speak out. Maybe a pro/con format:

Pro Message:: Demands are futile. Goals and strategies to meet those goals are something that is within our control. The president has been demanding a lot of things lately and gotten nowhere. If we want Bank Reform, we need to stop patronizing the culprits. If we want campaign finance reform, we need to stop voting for candidates who cater to special interests. If we want to stimulate manufacturing in the US, we need to stop buying cheap crap from China. We can't just sit around and stomp our feet until someone else meets our demands. We need to be the change. We need goals and a solid strategy.

Con Message: it will define us and leave people out.

== June-teenth Demonstration--Emancipation Day ==

This is a very big holiday within the African American community. Planning a large demonstration on that day, 6/19 (?), would give folks something to look forward to that is inclusive and takes a lot of planning, like a whole winter of it.

I met two women tonight with a contact who makes large lighting displays; this is kind of thing he'd be into.
Gunner from Arts and Culture said that someone has approached her about Spring Commitee?

== Move Your Money Day, 11/5 ==

"The Move Your Money Project is a nonprofit campaign encourages individuals and institutions to divest from the largest Wall Street banks and move to local more responsible financial institutions. With Congress unwilling to act we are encouraging individuals to take power into their own hands by voting with their dollars and no longer contribute to a financial system that has lead our country astray. We are a campaign that gives real people concrete actions they can take to create a more sane, stable and localized banking system." From the Move Your Money Project Web Site

On Wednesday 11/2 @ 7pm there is a meeting/public discussion about Move Your Money Day...Please come!!!

Ideas to promote this event and build on it:

Hand out pre made flyers from mymp web site...if everyone who comes to the meeting can bring 20 copies, or if you can't come leave 20 copies in the library tent, we can organize street teams at the meeting

I'd love to get a group of people together to make handmade invitation. Please also see occupytheboardroom.org

A didgeridoo aimed at the Federal Reserve that says, "Mooove Yaaa Money".

I am bringing sheets and paint to the meeting so we can make big banners....maybe organize into north, south, west poffs and compete for best banner, best hanging location, etc.

== Camp Protectors Pledge ==

During the resistance to the Contra wars undertaken by Reagan, some people signed a pledge to turnout if there should ever be a credible threat to invade Nicaragua/El Salvador.

It's a great tactic. We could use it to get people to pledge to come out should the camp ever be threatened with removal or when a new camp needs to open up.

== Mass Emailing for Actions ==

Can an email go out to everyone on all lists when ever there's an action? Or a CD? Or maybe a form that lets people decide when they want to hear from us---like when the camp is threatened?

== Peace Song Radio Call In ==

Choose a day, any day, like June-teenth and ask everyone to call requests for peace songs into their favorite radio station.

== Tea Party Tax Debate Challenge ==

Challenge the Tea Party to a debate about taxes at the Tea Party ship...they just opened a new one, an d there might be events to flyer/hang a debate on...we'd need "ringers"...like from Dollars and Sense, the magazine. And a funny mc, like Jay Leno and a funny right winger, but there are none. Get sponsorship from accountants and tax attorneys and bean counters.

== Pen Pal A Stock Broker ==

Hook Individual occupiers up with Stock Brokers, etc. and ask them to write to each other...and to, eventually, allow their correspondence to be published. Us and open letter to the Wall Street Journal. and a blog.

Get Naked and Roll in the Grass; April 1 demonstration against boring work.

== Move the Camp to South Station for the winter ==

Organize a rally to support the move, on Thanksgiving. "We're going home."

== Flyering Challenge for Off Site Supporters ==

Ask off site supporters to show up to flyer crowds at other events and marches, but also non-political events. Create a contest/acknowledgement system, like getting a button every time you show up and give out a hundred fliers. Use Off Site Supporters Affinity Groups, or Poffs--Pods of Friendly Friends.

== POFFS, Affinity Groups of Off Site Supporters or ==

Pods of Friendly Friends; groups of five people connected to each other by email and to the OB mailing list, who come down to the site occasionally and want to be connected to others who also come down occasionally.

Even better, people connected to each other, in POFFS, with funny names, are more likely to show up to do things like flyering, protecting the camp, etc.

Some people will even want to do it to meet strangers or with friends.

== "die in" at health insurance co's council annual meeting ==

Find out when their big meeting is and have a mock "die in" from denied claims. Feature real people who's claims have been denied. Lead in w/24 hour reading of health insurance horror stories.

== 24 hour reading of health insurance horror stories ==

Great lead in to any single payer demo; easy to organize, can be done on site or inside....at a sit in at a health insurance co....or in some public space that they've paid for....less dangerous...a little research into connections....so many private goliaths underwrite public space these days....maybe the Fleet Center?

== Ranked Choice Voting for this Poll ==

To demonstrate how proporational/horizontal systems work.

== In the name of Jesus the Healer, move to St. Paul's Cathedral for the winter ==

In the name of Jesus the Healer, and the Buddha, demand $5million for non-profit single payer. Leave in the spring, regardless of outcome.

== Name OB's Wind Turbine, "Cape Wind" ==

in support of the struggling project. Have a standout with pinwheels to show support for wind energy.

== Affinity Group Alert System, four tiered, Pledge of Resistance ==

This system was used during the resistance to the Contra wars in Latin America; it was also called the Pledge of Resistance. It's a good way to organize the extended community of visitors who come down to the camp every few days.

Parse the email list by Alert Levels (colors or hand signals). Use a form on the website, or on an email form.

1. Red Alert
I pledge to show up/risk arrest if the camp is threatened with eviction and when a new camp opens up.

2. Orange Alert
Tell me when there's an action/demonstration, I want to show up/risk arrest.

3. Green Alert
I want to be in direct contact with 4 other Friendly Friends to form a POFF, (Pod of Friendly Friends) that is people who visit the camp every once in a while/risk arrest.

4. Yellow Alert
Lurkers, just send me OccupyBostonGlove press releases.

Naturally, this system is mostly IT. I would like to work with Carolyn to organize an Affinity Group Festival, asking people to come down and meet up with potential pod-mates, for the Friday or Sunday after Thanksgiving. Again, mostly in IT's court because there would have to be computer bank to sign up at. And we have to move fast. A press release, or maybe even an ad???? would have to go out ASAP.

Tell me what you think.

Talk:WG/Strategies/Ideas

2011-10-31T08:26:00Z

Stewart76: /* Move Your Money Day, 11/5 */

== Move Occupation Every Week to Symbolic Indoor Location ==

If the elites know you're moving in a week, they won't kick you out. Generate a list; send it to the locales in question (and take out an ad the Boston Globe)asking for permission to camp in their lobby for a week, at an undetermined time. The day before the move, draw straws to decide where. Any company that refused shelter will be a "no room at the inn" inn.

Besides companies, we might possibly consider very friendly sites like the Arlington Street Church and other 'moral message' supportive locales.

A third class of locations to consider is college campuses -- they have lots of outdoor space, and also possibly indoor space.

List of Places
http://www.stpaulboston.org/----Xmas! Demand Non-Profit Compassion (single payer healthcare) START HERE
http://holycrossboston.com/
Arlington St. Church
Fleet Center
City Hall
Fenway Park
Federal Reserve lobby
South Station
Harvard Pilgrim Headquarters
World Trade Center
Is there a Boston Stock Exchange?
Colleges with big military programs--MIT.
Latest Real Estate Boondogle, Columbia Center, Winn Real Estate http://articles.boston.com/2011-05-14/business/29543519_1_donation-scheme-illegal-donations-sentenci

== Message vs No Message, pro and con ==

This is suggestion for a topic for a Speak out. Maybe a pro/con format:

Pro Message:: Demands are futile. Goals and strategies to meet those goals are something that is within our control. The president has been demanding a lot of things lately and gotten nowhere. If we want Bank Reform, we need to stop patronizing the culprits. If we want campaign finance reform, we need to stop voting for candidates who cater to special interests. If we want to stimulate manufacturing in the US, we need to stop buying cheap crap from China. We can't just sit around and stomp our feet until someone else meets our demands. We need to be the change. We need goals and a solid strategy.

Con Message: it will define us and leave people out.

== June-teenth Demonstration--Emancipation Day ==

This is a very big holiday within the African American community. Planning a large demonstration on that day, 6/19 (?), would give folks something to look forward to that is inclusive and takes a lot of planning, like a whole winter of it.

I met two women tonight with a contact who makes large lighting displays; this is kind of thing he'd be into.
Gunner from Arts and Culture said that someone has approached her about Spring Commitee?

== Move Your Money Day, 11/5 ==

"The Move Your Money Project is a nonprofit campaign encourages individuals and institutions to divest from the largest Wall Street banks and move to local more responsible financial institutions. With Congress unwilling to act we are encouraging individuals to take power into their own hands by voting with their dollars and no longer contribute to a financial system that has lead our country astray. We are a campaign that gives real people concrete actions they can take to create a more sane, stable and localized banking system." From the Move Your Money Project Web Site

On Wednesday 11/2 @ 7pm there is a meeting/public discussion about Move Your Money Day...Please come!!!

Ideas to promote this event and build on it:

I'd love to get a group of people together to make handmade invitation.

A didgeridoo aimed at the Federal Reserve that says, "Mooove Yaaa Money".

== Camp Protectors Pledge ==

During the resistance to the Contra wars undertaken by Reagan, some people signed a pledge to turnout if there should ever be a credible threat to invade Nicaragua/El Salvador.

It's a great tactic. We could use it to get people to pledge to come out should the camp ever be threatened with removal or when a new camp needs to open up.

== Mass Emailing for Actions ==

Can an email go out to everyone on all lists when ever there's an action? Or a CD? Or maybe a form that lets people decide when they want to hear from us---like when the camp is threatened?

== Peace Song Radio Call In ==

Choose a day, any day, like June-teenth and ask everyone to call requests for peace songs into their favorite radio station.

== Tea Party Tax Debate Challenge ==

Challenge the Tea Party to a debate about taxes at the Tea Party ship...they just opened a new one, an d there might be events to flyer/hang a debate on...we'd need "ringers"...like from Dollars and Sense, the magazine. And a funny mc, like Jay Leno and a funny right winger, but there are none. Get sponsorship from accountants and tax attorneys and bean counters.

== Pen Pal A Stock Broker ==

Hook Individual occupiers up with Stock Brokers, etc. and ask them to write to each other...and to, eventually, allow their correspondence to be published. Us and open letter to the Wall Street Journal. and a blog.

Get Naked and Roll in the Grass; April 1 demonstration against boring work.

== Move the Camp to South Station for the winter ==

Organize a rally to support the move, on Thanksgiving. "We're going home."

== Flyering Challenge for Off Site Supporters ==

Ask off site supporters to show up to flyer crowds at other events and marches, but also non-political events. Create a contest/acknowledgement system, like getting a button every time you show up and give out a hundred fliers. Use Off Site Supporters Affinity Groups, or Poffs--Pods of Friendly Friends.

== POFFS, Affinity Groups of Off Site Supporters or ==

Pods of Friendly Friends; groups of five people connected to each other by email and to the OB mailing list, who come down to the site occasionally and want to be connected to others who also come down occasionally.

Even better, people connected to each other, in POFFS, with funny names, are more likely to show up to do things like flyering, protecting the camp, etc.

Some people will even want to do it to meet strangers or with friends.

== "die in" at health insurance co's council annual meeting ==

Find out when their big meeting is and have a mock "die in" from denied claims. Feature real people who's claims have been denied. Lead in w/24 hour reading of health insurance horror stories.

== 24 hour reading of health insurance horror stories ==

Great lead in to any single payer demo; easy to organize, can be done on site or inside....at a sit in at a health insurance co....or in some public space that they've paid for....less dangerous...a little research into connections....so many private goliaths underwrite public space these days....maybe the Fleet Center?

== Ranked Choice Voting for this Poll ==

To demonstrate how proporational/horizontal systems work.

== In the name of Jesus the Healer, move to St. Paul's Cathedral for the winter ==

In the name of Jesus the Healer, and the Buddha, demand $5million for non-profit single payer. Leave in the spring, regardless of outcome.

== Name OB's Wind Turbine, "Cape Wind" ==

in support of the struggling project. Have a standout with pinwheels to show support for wind energy.

== Affinity Group Alert System, four tiered, Pledge of Resistance ==

This system was used during the resistance to the Contra wars in Latin America; it was also called the Pledge of Resistance. It's a good way to organize the extended community of visitors who come down to the camp every few days.

Parse the email list by Alert Levels (colors or hand signals). Use a form on the website, or on an email form.

1. Red Alert
I pledge to show up/risk arrest if the camp is threatened with eviction and when a new camp opens up.

2. Orange Alert
Tell me when there's an action/demonstration, I want to show up/risk arrest.

3. Green Alert
I want to be in direct contact with 4 other Friendly Friends to form a POFF, (Pod of Friendly Friends) that is people who visit the camp every once in a while/risk arrest.

4. Yellow Alert
Lurkers, just send me OccupyBostonGlove press releases.

Naturally, this system is mostly IT. I would like to work with Carolyn to organize an Affinity Group Festival, asking people to come down and meet up with potential pod-mates, for the Friday or Sunday after Thanksgiving. Again, mostly in IT's court because there would have to be computer bank to sign up at. And we have to move fast. A press release, or maybe even an ad???? would have to go out ASAP.

Tell me what you think.

WG/Strategies/Ideas

2011-10-28T10:08:28Z

Stewart76:

'''<span style="font-size:large">Ideas Working Group</span>'''

'''Provisional Mission Statement:''' The Ideas working group will actively seek out the contributions from the Occupy Boston encampment, its community of supporters, and from society at large. It will develop transparent and inclusive methods of organizing these ideas in order to facilitate their exchange and development. We will also host open discussions on widely held concerns and values, as well as around important questions of strategy.

The next '''OBIdeas Public Discussion''' will be: Friday, 28 October, 7-9 in the GA Area. Topic: '''How does Occupy Boston preserve it's momentum?'''

Working group '''meetings''' (open to all): '''Sunday, 31 October 9:30-11 pm''' location: meet at the Gandhi statue '''Wednesday, 2 November 6-7 pm''' location: South Station Mezzanine (2nd floor above/behind McDonalds)

Mailing List: ideas@lists.occupyboston.org To join the working group, go here: [https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/ideas]

----

Below are some examples of the ideas we have been collecting:

[[Statement of purpose]]

We will continue to post questions on whiteboards, banners, and the giant notepad in the Library, transcribe them and explore new and useful ways of presenting the ideas.
'''
To contribute to the wordclouds below, click the question at the left, click edit on the top right, and then add your response''' (Note: you must first create a user account before you register. Please do!). We will periodically update the wordclouds until we figure out a way to have them update in real time.

Also check out www.wearebeings.org for more cool word clouds

<br/>''[[What's Wrong with our Country?]] ''[[File:What'sWrong WordCloud2.jpg|RTENOTITLE]]

''[[What's Right with our Country?]] ''[[File:What'sRight WordCloud.jpg|RTENOTITLE]]

''[[Why do you Occupy?]] ''[[File:WhyWeOccupy WordCloud2.jpg|RTENOTITLE]]

Testaments of the 99% (would not upload)

'''<span style="font-size:large">Agenda</span>'''

Wed Oct 26

-Friday night discussion

~Next strategic steps ( how will occupy boston develop?)
>our camp
>indoor space
>model change
~Move your money / Banks
>alternatives
>nonviolence
>partnership with DCU / Liberty
~TBD friday night
>small group
>input on agenda items
>hot or not model
~How does Occupy Boston preserve it's momentum?
>( temp check taken and this will be our discussion topic)
> Publicize on Facebook, twitter, wiki, whiteboard, APB to working groups.
> Format of discussion
- Stated that the goal of this discussion will be to bring out and foster the seeds of autonomous actions, working group proposals, positions
- Small groups, time check in with temp check, Step forward step back
- Facilitated by Noah and Andrew, Note taking and time keeping by Laura and George
~ Planning subsequent topics
> Word clouds (pass around sheet)
> Head to Head (hot or not)
> Online/ whiteboard

-Contingency plan -Next steps (winterization/other strategies) -Move your money day -living document -Name of group -Strategy/expansion

~New methods
~validating
~collecting other people's ideas

-Meeting time

~Wed 6pm / Sun 9:30 pm/ dicussion fri at 7

Talk:WG/Strategies/Ideas

2011-10-28T06:47:51Z

Stewart76: /* Demands/Message vs No Demands/Message */

== Demands/Message vs No Demands/Message ==

This is suggestion for a topic for a Speak out. Maybe a pro/con format:

Con: Demands are futile. Goals and strategies to meet those goals are something that is within our control. The president has been demanding a lot of things lately and gotten nowhere. If we want Bank Reform, we need to stop patronizing the culprits. If we want campaign finance reform, we need to stop voting for candidates who cater to special interests. If we want to stimulate manufacturing in the US, we need to stop buying cheap crap from China. We can't just sit around and stomp our feet until someone else meets our demands. We need to be the change. We need goals and a solid strategy.