Friends -

There are two ominous national trends which we, as Progressives, must be aware of - and fight. And those are the movements in our country toward authoritarianism and oligarchy.

The Republican Party today is not only an increasingly reactionary party focusing on tax breaks for billionaires, denying the reality of climate change, preventing women from controlling their own bodies and throwing millions off the healthcare they have, but it has also become an anti-democracy party. As we speak, leading Republicans are working overtime to make it harder for American citizens to vote and participate in the political process. They are also undermining the rule of law by denying the results of elections they don't like.

Unbelievably, because of Trump's almost total domination over the Republican Party, there is not one Republican in the U.S. Senate and very few in the House (including many who know better) prepared to stand up and defend our democratic way of life against this movement toward authoritarianism and a strongman form of government.

And when we think about the Republican Party's anti-democratic crusade, we much also recognize the growth of oligarchy in America and the increasing political power of the billionaire class. At a time when the richest people in our country are enjoying unprecedented wealth and when their corporations control more and more of the economy, these same people now want to buy our political system and our government. We cannot allow that to happen.

Campaign finance reform is the most important issue facing us today, because it impacts all the others.

This is not progressive issue. It is not a conservative issue. It is an American issue. It is an issue that should concern all Americans - regardless of their political point of view who wish to live under a government that represents all of the people and not just a handful of powerful special interests. Or, as Lincoln brilliantly stated at Gettysburg, “a government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Let’s be clear. If we are serious about combatting climate change, creating decent paying jobs, enacting progressive tax reform, providing health care to all and protecting the needs of our children and the elderly, we must be deadly serious about campaign finance reform.

I know I know... here goes Bernie again about Citizens United, money in politics and our rapid move toward oligarchy. I have no shortage of critics who accuse me of being boring and of hammering away at the same themes.

They’re probably right. It has never made sense to me, then or now, that a tiny clique of people should have incredible wealth and power while most people have none.

So let me be as blunt as I can be: because of the disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision, we now have a handful of billionaires who spend obscene amounts of money in support of candidates who protect the wealthy and the powerful, and against candidates who will fight for the working class of this country.

It is not a radical idea to say that the very wealthiest people in this country should not be able to control our political system and our representation in government. This great nation and its government belong to ALL of our people, and not to a handful of billionaires and their super PACs.

Billionaire participation in elections is nothing new but, every election cycle, they become bolder and more influential. And the elections of 2024 is shaping up to be the most dangerous yet -- with progressives often the target.

One billionaire-funded super PAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has pledged to spend $100 million to defeat progressive members of Congress like Ilhan Omar, Cori Bush, Rashida Tlaib, Jamaal Bowman, Summer Lee and other allies of ours in Congress.

What this super PAC is doing is outrageous and speaks to the corruption of our political system. When we talk about billionaires and big money buying elections, this is exactly what we are talking about. This is the Oligarchy at work. These big money interests will do and spend whatever it takes to try to stop our progressive movement and defeat those members of Congress who are fighting for economic, social, racial and environmental justice.

The billionaire class understands the importance of politics and they are prepared to spend whatever it takes to make sure that government works for them, and not working families.

Oligarchs and multinational corporations will work with Republicans. They will work with Democrats. They will contribute to both at the same time. It doesn’t matter much so long as they get their way.

Meanwhile, people who work for low wages, have no health insurance, can’t afford prescription drugs and can’t find affordable housing are giving up on politics. They see the rich getting richer and wonder whether anyone in Washington even knows what is going on in their lives.

So where do we go from here?

What can we do to start rebuilding a vibrant democracy in this country.

Is it even possible?

Imagine it...

Imagine a country in which every person is automatically registered to vote when they turn 18.

Imagine a country that puts an end to the discriminatory practice of purging voters of color, young people, and low-income Americans from voting rolls.

Imagine a country where voters pick their elected officials, not one where the elected officials pick their voters.

Imagine a country where working people can run for office without having to beg the rich for donations.

And imagine a country where billionaires are unable to buy our candidates and elections.

Our job is not to think small in this pivotal moment in American history.

We must pass a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.

And more importantly, we need to move towards the public funding of elections.

The bad news is we are a long way from getting it done.

The good news is that this is another one of those issues that has widespread popular support.

According to a recent Pew Survey, 7 in 10 adults believe there should be limits on how much people and organizations are able to spend on elections.

The same 7 in 10 believe donors and lobbyists have too much influence.

A solid majority support laws that would limit the role of money in politics.

8 in 10 Americans believe the cost of campaigns makes it impossible for regular people to run for elected office.

The American people are with us.

It is time for Congress to act.

In solidarity,

Bernie Sanders

---