Energy, Earthquakes, and Democracy

By Fred Markham Tue, Apr 12 2011 07:07am

Jay Mandle's April Money on My Mind column, "Energy, Earthquakes, and Democracy," puts the current events of Japan's nuclear disaster, the Arab push for democracy, and U.S. energy policy into perspective.

All Major Newspapers: "Vote YES on 5 and 6"

By Fred Markham Sun, Oct 24 2010 10:10am

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2010
Contact: Kelly Penton, 786-258-2649
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Miami, FL— Today, the Florida Times-Union recommended that “voters should support the reasonable Amendments 5 and 6,” making it a clean sweep of endorsements from major newspapers across the state. A total of 22 newspapers have urged Floridians to vote YES on FairDistricts Amendments 5 and 6.

Move To Amend Tour Melbourne - Audio recording available

By Fred Markham Sat, Oct 16 2010 16:04pm

For those who missed the Move To Amend event at the Univitarian Universalist Church of Brevard on September 16th can now hear the talk by David Cobb in an audio recording provided by the church. The recording includes introductory comments by Reverend Gregory Wilson, a short talk by Fred Markham on public campaign financing, and a very interesting and entertaining talk by David Cobb, progressive activist and former Green Party presidential candidate.

Fight Washington Corruption Pledge

By Jeremy Phelps Tue, Sep 14 2010 22:10pm

Members of the Florida Democratic Party are running on a Coordinated Campaign of Accountability.

Clean Election - New book on public campaign financing

By Fred Markham Sat, Apr 24 2010 17:05pm

Dr. Jay Mandle, of the DemocracyMatters.org board of directors, has written an important new book on one of the Space Coast Progressive Alliance's core issues - Clean Elections. Creating Equality: American Elections as a Public Good demonstrates the need to treat elections as a public good, just as we do the national defense and the interstate highway system. Our current privately financed political system cedes the power over elections (and government policy) to corporations and other wealthy special interests. SCPA has donated a copy of the book to the Brevard County Public Library. Members can reserve the book and it will be delivered within a day or two to the library branch of your choice.

Clean Elections under attack by Arizona Legislature

By Fred Markham Wed, Apr 21 2010 20:08pm

The Arizona House Speaker is doing the bidding of corporate lobbyists to introduce an amendment to repeal the Clean Elections program there. The program is highly popular with legislators and with voters, but the corporate media attacks have been deceptive and are having some effect. There is real concern that the public can be talked out of this program by flooding the media with ads showing politicians as hogs slopping at the public trough.  The goal is of course for the corporations to shoulder their way back in to that self same trough.

Will the RPOF financial scandal doom fundraising bill?

By Fred Markham Fri, Apr 02 2010 20:08pm

Governor Crist has a conundrum on his hands, and we can be entertained. But it's a serious issue: will he sign HB 1207 and re-establish leadership funds? These leadership funds are presented as providing transparency over who donates to politicians, but in truth would give the Tallahassee leadership power to distribute virtually unlimited funds to legislators ... gaining major control over who is willing to do what. http://findout.typepad.com/the_fine_print/2010/04/will-rpof-financial-scandal-doom-fundraising-bill.html

Non-Partisan Electoral Reform Forum in Boca

By Fred Markham Fri, Mar 26 2010 23:11pm

Electoral reform is “the most important ignored issue in America,” says forum moderator Jayne King in Boca Raton on March 20. SCPA's Fred Markham among the speakers.

Maine Clean Elections story on Huffington Post

By Paul Loeb Mon, Mar 22 2010 04:04am

See the link for an interesting Huffington Post excerpt from Paul Loeb's book "Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in a Challenging Time," about taking money out of politics. It tells the inspiring story of a Maine resident's efforts to help pass the first state Clean Money referendum back in 1998. This is essential reading for SCPA members interested in helping with the Clean Elections issue. Huffington Post is serializing selected excerpts from the book each Thursday. The article has a link to a site with past excerpts. This book and Loeb's other book, "The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen's Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear," both sound like good reading for progressives.