Comments by WPC executive Director Craig Salins
at a public forum with Greg Palast, in Olympia, WA.

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Thank you for coming tonight. Greg Palast is a remarkable investigative journalist. We need more like him to expose the truth. I look forward to his talking with us.

Tonight we consider a critical question:
How can we get our country back?

As a representative of Washington Public Campaigns, I have some comments about public financing of campaigns—why it's important, and how we might bring it about.

WPC has a table in the lobby with a lot of information. Please stop and look, and on your own, visit our website: washclean.org

First, something you already know:
Our democracy is in serious trouble — choking on money.

Scratch any issue — energy policy, health care — and you'll see money and wealth, calling the shots.

Why is this happening? You could say, simple economics — supply and demand.
There's only one government setting the rules, one Treasury to plunder — so the price goes up.

Spending on campaigns is unbelievable. This year, over $1 billion is being spent on the presidential race. To win a Senate seat now costs $7 million; $1 million for a House seat.

So — elections have become auctions. Whoever has the highest bid, wins. Campaign cash rolls in. Candidates are packaged and sold to us, using the latest marketing science.

Then the political favors roll out. Look at the bailout. It didn't take center-stage until Wall Street was in trouble. No matter the years when Main Street experienced flat wages, lost jobs, health care we can't afford. If you weren't the high bidder — you lose!

When seats in Congress cost millions of dollars, Wall Street trumps Main Street every time.

It's not just Congress. In this state, MoneyTree sprinkles $100,000 around our state capitol every year, all sides of the aisle - to avoid regulation of their payday loans. Builders — through the BIAW — tried to buy a majority on the supreme court, and this year, a governor. They hope to gut growth management and environmental laws so that development becomes more profitable. Many people say: pure greed.

By the way, let me clarify something: I am not saying every candidate or lawmaker is bought. I don't believe that — and it's not that simple. I am saying, they are trapped in a system where money is polluting our democracy. The institutions of our government have been for sale - because of the private nature of how we finance campaigns.

So, what to do? We have to change the system — the rules of the game.

By the way — did you think you were financing these campaigns? Not really!

In the most recent election cycle, less than 3 of every 1,000 of us give $200 or more to any campaign. And the big givers — those contributing $2,000 or more — were less than 1 in 10,000. It's a tiny minority who is financing today's campaigns.

So who really decides who will appear on the ballot — months before the ballots are printed? Big campaign donors bundle their cash and back a candidate who agrees with their point of view. Campaigns have become auctions — and these high rollers are out to win!

What is the sad result for voters and our democracy. Do the voters ever really have a wide choice of candidates? How many potentially good leaders decide NOT to run, because they aren't wealthy or refuse to dial-for-dollars?

Again, the conclusion? If we want democracy to work — if we want to be the top bidder in the auction we call elections — we MUST support public financing of campaigns!

We have to change the source of the money that influences lawmaking at every level. Think of it as buying back our democracy.

And yes, that means taxpayer money, for ALL candidates. But at less than $6 a year for public financing of all federal campaigns — Senate and Congress — it is the bargain of the century.

Trust me: It's costing us a lot more, NOT to do this — in the cost of health care, gas and utilities, and tax giveaways to the special interests who right now submit the highest bid!

And in Washington state — $5 per year, per person, could finance the campaigns for all state level races, all legislative races, and all supreme court races. What a bargain!

The goal is to make elections about issues and voters, not about money.
Candidates should win on the strength of their ideas, not the strength of their financial backers.

Public financing of campaigns is a strategic change — a game-changer — a reform that makes all other reforms possible. Then we can get our airwaves back. Affordable health care. Rational energy policy. Regulation of Wall Street. These become possible once we've bought back our democracy.

Here are six things to know, and to explain as we talk with friends:

1. The program is optional, but candidates qualify by demonstrating voter support in their district.

2. They then receive enough public funds to get their message out in a credible campaign.

3. If they are outspent by a privately-financed opponent, or attacked by a "Swift-Boat" ad, they get "fair fight" funds — matched dollar-for-dollar — to keep the financial playing field level.

4. By eliminating the financial barrier to running for office, voters get more choice.
As a result, there are more women, more minorities and more candidates from a variety of economic backgrounds running for office — and winning!

5. Once elected, lawmakers can thumb their nose at special interest lobbyists and instead vote for Main Street concerns. No more dialing-for-dollars, romancing big donors.

6. And, it's affordable. In fact, it's a bargain we should not ignore.

Programs like this are working in seven states and two cities. In Maine, 84 percent of legislators — four of every five — are elected through the "Clean Elections" program. They have stared down the pharmaceutical profiteers, with a tough law lowering the price of prescription drugs! They have closed corporate tax loopholes. It's a popular program, it has leveled the cost of campaigns, and it's affordable.

Now, some news about Congress, and Washington State!

In Congress there is now a bill called the Fair Elections Now Act (S 1285 in the Senate; HR 7022 in the House), which would bring public financing of campaigns to both the Senate and House. In the Senate, it is sponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) and Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania), and co-sponsored by Senator Barack Obama.

But these proposals need grassroots support to reach a tipping point in Congress. We want Senators Murray, Cantwell, and our members of Congress to sign on as co-sponsors of these bills. They need to hear from from you, saying: "Support these bills!"

On a state level, this year through grassroots action, we passed the Local Option law. So now, cities and counties can use public financing for municipal campaigns, at their option, if approved by local voters.

The Olympia City Council has agreed to study a proposed program - designed by us - for municipal elections, which could go into effect very soon if voters like it and approve. Similarly, the Seattle City Council has received a proposal and is considering action next year.

Next, we want public financing of campaigns for seats on the state supreme court.

Let me tell you why this is important, what happened in West Virginia: A large mining company broke safety laws — an accident happened — miners died — and subsequently, the mining company was fined $75 million dollars. The company appealed the verdict to the West Virginia Supreme Court. That court threw out the fine. The judge who cast the deciding vote had previously received $3 million in campaign support from the CEO of the mining company — and refused to step aside in the case!

Do you remember 2006, when the BIAW builders lobby tried to win three seats on our supreme court with over $2.5 million in direct campaign donations and independent spending. Their gambit failed that year — but only barely. They will come roaring back.

Our courts must never be for sale! — not to anyone. Those campaigns should be financed by voters — not special interests.

My final point tonight:

We need everyone to get involved in this movement, these movements, to get our country back. Voting is important — but it's not enough. The work goes on, all year.

Think about it: Moneyed special interests are on top of the haystack, and will fight to stay there. This fight — to push the hogs out of the river, as Jim Hightower calls it — won't be easy or quick.

It may be step by step. It may take awhile. (Author Paul Loeb writes a book: The Impossible Will Take a Little While)

We know it's going to take a virtual tidal wave of public awareness — and grassroots action — to bring about the change we want to see.

So we need disciplined activists (dare I say, community organizers!). It's the only way. If you want your country back, you must become involved — not only as a voter, but as an activist!

Everyone is needed; bystanders don't count. Some of you can contribute funds. Some can contribute time. You can walk your neighborhood, attend a rally, write the newspapers, get friends to lobby Congress. And everyone needs to become a citizen lobbyist, raising your voice, contacting your legislators.

Another point. Real change depends on organizations — like Washington Public Campaigns — to continue the organizing work. We depend on your support, to bring the change you want to see. If you donate to candidates but not also to advocacy groups, you're not protecting your investment.

In the lobby, please take a remittance envelope and consider a contribution. In fact, take two — one for you, one for a friend. Contributions cover our organizing costs. Without it, our movement fades away. Also, please sign up on our WPC mailing list. This is how we activate our base of citizen lobbyists when we have bills to push. In many ways, our ability to bring about the change we seek depends on our grassroots network — our mailing and phone lists to each of you!

I leave you with a favorite quote of mine. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said:
The arc of history may be long, but it bends toward justice.

And friends, with a muscular grassroots movement, we WILL take our country back, and restore real democracy to America.

Thank you! ~ Craig

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