Today, we will start the second impeachment trial of Donald J. Trump. We'll hear evidence of his actions to incite an insurrection, we'll honor our oaths to the Constitution, render a judgment, and hold him accountable.

But let's be clear. The attack on our democracy didn't start with the violence at the Capitol. It didn't start with Trump trying to seize power despite losing the election. The entire idea of government of, by, and for the people has been under attack for years.

In a strong democracy, when the people vote, change happens. The will of the people determines the shape of the government.

But in America today, we have government by and for the powerful.

Why is that?

Vast pools of dark money allows corporate lobbyists to bend policymaking to their will and flood campaigns with smears.

Not since Jim Crow have so many laws and practices systematically denied American citizens -- especially Black and Brown citizens -- the right to vote.

Weak ethics rules encourage politicians to enrich themselves, not hold corporations accountable.

And partisan gerrymandering "with surgical precision" means politicians pick their voters, not the other way around, and legislatures are regularly controlled by Republicans even when they lose the popular vote.

Republicans have been trying for years to rig the elections so they win even when most citizens reject their ideas. They are the anti-democracy party. So it's no wonder that Trump's call to overturn the election and seize power fell on such fertile ground.

We'll hold Donald Trump accountable. But we must also commit ourselves to fixing our democracy so that when the people speak, change happens.

Here's the good news: My comprehensive democracy reform bill, the For the People Act, has been designated S.1 in the Senate and H.R. 1 in the House -- it's a top priority. Will you sign my petition to empower grassroots donors, enact tough ethics rules, end partisan gerrymandering, stop voter suppression, break the grip of big money on our politics, and protect our democracy?
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Onward!

Jeff

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Paid for by Jeff Merkley for Oregon.