John,

Thirteen years ago, the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit created super PACs, opening the door to new quid pro quo corruption and the influx of vast, untraceable sums in our elections. The Court ruled in SpeechNow v. FEC that if independent expenditures could not corrupt or create the appearance of quid pro quo corruption, the same rules apply to contributions made to PACs making only independent expenditures. Many people, including many in the legal community nationwide, have thus come to the conclusion that super PACs are not only protected, but necessary under the First Amendment.

The fact of the matter is this conclusion is wrong. Not only “can” a contribution to an independent PAC involve “quid pro quo corruption,” the United States government has actually prosecuted a United States Senator for that pattern of criminality exactly.

That’s why our partner Equal Citizens is seeking to hold a video competition, building on our arguments at Free Speech For People, to make the message clear: Super PACs are not constitutionally protected. To make it happen, Equal Citizens is currently crowdsourcing for a grand prize of at least $50,000 for the contest’s winner, someone who can effectively and creatively make the case against super PACs.

But the contest won’t happen unless we can raise the prize money. Will you chip in to help Equal Citizens reach its $50,000 goal?

Free Speech For People is proud to partner with Equal Citizens on this campaign to help abolish super PACs and restore the power of we, the people in our democracy.

Donate today to spread the word: Super PACs are not protected by the First Amendment.

In solidarity,
Free Speech For People