Public Citizen · [email protected]

March 25, 2024 at 6:29 PM

our tax 'system' makes no sense

If you think the super-rich pay too much in taxes, this email may not be for you. But if you’ve ever wondered about wealthy people not paying their fair share, read on. How utterly out of whack is our tax “system”? The wealthiest Americans (the top 0.1% — or the richest 1 out of every 1,000) en…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

March 22, 2024 at 6:59 PM

no immunity for Trump

Donald Trump has officially asked the U.S. Supreme Court to grant him immunity for his illegal attempts to remain in power despite losing the 2020 election. The Supreme Court will hear the case on April 25. (We don’t know how long it will take the Court to rule after that.) Trump’s lawyers have…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

March 20, 2024 at 5:32 PM

being president is not supposed to be a license to commit crimes

Yesterday, Donald Trump’s lawyers officially asked the U.S. Supreme Court to grant Trump immunity for his illegal attempts to remain in power despite losing the 2020 election. The Supreme Court will hear the case on April 25. (We don’t know how long it will take the Court to rule after that.) T…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

March 19, 2024 at 7:41 PM

no more leniency for Boeing

Two Boeing 737 Max airplanes crashed in 2018 and 2019, claiming 346 lives. Despite evidence of misconduct by the company, federal law enforcement officials agreed not to prosecute Boeing if it promised, essentially, not to do it again. These barely-a-slap-on-the-wrist corporate leniency deals are…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

March 18, 2024 at 7:00 PM

airplane maker should be investigated for homicide

Two Boeing 737 Max airplanes crashed in 2018 and 2019, claiming 346 lives. Despite evidence of misconduct by the company, federal law enforcement officials agreed not to prosecute Boeing if it promised, essentially, not to do it again. These barely-a-slap-on-the-wrist corporate leniency deals are…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

March 17, 2024 at 7:43 PM

fighting back against corporate price gouging

During the pandemic, Corporate America jacked up prices on all kinds of consumer goods. From fresh fruits and vegetables to corn chips and breakfast cereal, from soup and soda pop to aluminum foil and toilet paper, prices seemed to go up with every trip to the grocery store. These price hikes wer…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

March 16, 2024 at 7:13 PM

shrinkflation

During the pandemic, Corporate America jacked up prices on all kinds of consumer goods. From fresh fruits and vegetables to corn chips and breakfast cereal, from soup and soda pop to aluminum foil and toilet paper, prices seemed to go up with every trip to the grocery store. These price hikes wer…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

March 15, 2024 at 5:44 PM

this is how we know about corporate and government corruption

This one may sound a little wonky, but stick with me — it’s really important. You’ve probably heard of the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA. It’s the landmark 1967 law that has been instrumental in revealing information about corporate and government corruption, unsafe foods and medicines, F…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

March 14, 2024 at 5:46 PM

close this Supreme Court loophole

This one may sound a little wonky, but stick with me — it’s really important. You’ve probably heard of the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA. It’s the landmark 1967 law that has been instrumental in revealing information about corporate and government corruption, unsafe foods and medicines, F…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

March 12, 2024 at 8:12 PM

what do you want to happen?

Some days, it feels like the bad news overshadows the good. The very foundations of our society are at risk as extremist forces within the Republican Party — in abject fealty to Donald Trump — push blatantly anti-democratic measures and threaten outright political violence in the naked pursuit of…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

March 11, 2024 at 6:31 PM

killer robots

Killer robots and computerized nuclear annihilation were themes of many science fiction movies in the 1980s. The thing is, those films were warning us what NOT to do. But with the rush to develop — and cash in on — ever more powerful artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, it is not at all o…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

March 9, 2024 at 6:57 PM

"Some gave a little blood, and others gave their very lives."

The right to vote is increasingly under attack in America. Here’s what I’m talking about: The landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965 contained a provision requiring states with histories of voter suppression to get federal approval (or “preclearance”) for any changes to their voting laws. Congress r…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

March 6, 2024 at 8:32 PM

letting workers die

I’m going to say something controversial: People who work outdoors in extreme heat should get breaks for water and shade. “Wait, what’s so controversial about that, Robert?” Well, apparently it’s controversial for Republicans in Florida. Florida — whose official nickname is, famously, The Suns…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

March 5, 2024 at 6:10 PM

the right to vote is under assault

The right to vote is increasingly under attack in America. Here’s what I’m talking about: The landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965 contained a provision requiring states with histories of voter suppression to get federal approval (or “preclearance”) for any changes to their voting laws. Congress r…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

March 4, 2024 at 7:35 PM

'a little blood'

The right to vote is increasingly under attack in America. Here’s what I’m talking about: The landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965 contained a provision requiring states with histories of voter suppression to get federal approval (or “preclearance”) for any changes to their voting laws. Congress r…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

March 3, 2024 at 8:18 PM

outlawing water and shade

I’m going to say something controversial: People who work outdoors in extreme heat should get breaks for water and shade. “Wait, what’s so controversial about that, Robert?” Well, apparently it’s controversial for Republicans in Florida. Florida — whose official nickname is, famously, The Suns…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

March 1, 2024 at 12:20 AM

this weird thing is happening

Earlier today, I emailed to let you know that we are in danger of coming up short in the online fundraising that powers the work you and Public Citizen do together. (That message is copied below in case you missed it.) We just need another 85 people to contribute before midnight tonight. But a …

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  Robert · [email protected]

February 29, 2024 at 9:05 PM

not sure if you saw

Earlier today, I emailed to let you know that we are in danger of coming up short in the online fundraising that powers the work you and Public Citizen do together. (That message is copied below in case you missed it.) We still need 160 people to contribute before midnight tonight. That sounds …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 29, 2024 at 5:51 PM

you deserve to know this

As someone who is part of this shared project called Public Citizen, you deserve to know where things stand. This is a “peek behind the curtain” you might not get from other nonprofit organizations. Public Citizen has always been able to count on an uptick in online donations in the closing days…

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  Robert · [email protected]

February 28, 2024 at 11:30 PM

maybe it's behind the curtain?

Here’s a “peek behind the curtain” you might not get from other nonprofit organizations. Public Citizen has always been able to count on an uptick in online donations in the closing days of a month. Which makes sense — people are catching up on bills, crossing things off to-do lists, and getting …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 28, 2024 at 7:33 PM

need to make sure you know about this

Not sure if you saw my earlier note. It’s copied below in case you missed it. Thanks for giving it a look. - Robert ****** Here’s a “peek behind the curtain” you might not get from other nonprofit organizations. Public Citizen has always been able to count on an uptick in online donations in…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 28, 2024 at 3:35 PM

the best explanation I have

Here’s a “peek behind the curtain” you might not get from other nonprofit organizations. Public Citizen has always been able to count on an uptick in online donations in the closing days of a month. Which makes sense — people are catching up on bills, crossing things off to-do lists, and getting …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 27, 2024 at 7:51 PM

tell Congress: pass this law NOW to protect election workers

All across America, election officials are preparing for violence and even bloodshed at the polls this November. Election workers in some states are being trained in how to recognize exposure to chemical attacks and to administer emergency life-saving treatments. Election workers in Michigan are …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 26, 2024 at 8:39 PM

preparing for bloodshed at the polls

All across America, election officials are preparing for violence and even bloodshed at the polls this November. Election workers in some states are being trained in how to recognize exposure to chemical attacks and to administer emergency life-saving treatments. Election workers in Michigan are …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 23, 2024 at 7:24 PM

claw back every penny

Some welcome news today. The IRS just announced that it will begin cracking down on fraudulent deductions for personal use — by executives, board members, wealthy shareholders, and the like — of corporate jets. Now, billionaires and Big Business have of course found many ways to exploit (that’s…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 22, 2024 at 9:32 PM

levying on a jet plane

Some welcome news today. The IRS just announced that it will begin cracking down on fraudulent deductions for personal use — by executives, board members, wealthy shareholders, and the like — of corporate jets. Now, billionaires and Big Business have of course found many ways to exploit (that’s…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 21, 2024 at 8:16 PM

tell Biden: this would be a monumental failure

Ugh. Over the weekend, news broke that the Biden Administration may sabotage one of its own tools for getting Big Auto to speed up our nation’s transition to electric vehicles. This is the situation: Gasoline-powered cars and trucks are America’s largest single source of greenhouse emissions. S…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 20, 2024 at 7:43 PM

Really, Joe?

Ugh. Over the weekend, news broke that the Biden Administration may sabotage one of its own tools for getting Big Auto to speed up our nation’s transition to electric vehicles. This is the situation: Gasoline-powered cars and trucks are America’s largest single source of greenhouse emissions. S…

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  Robert · [email protected]

February 18, 2024 at 10:05 PM

attacked

I want to make sure you know about the attack on Public Citizen from a billionaire-backed dark money operation. The response to my earlier note — copied below in case you missed it — has been overwhelming. It is a powerful thing to know that so many people are ready to stand with us as we face t…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 18, 2024 at 3:35 PM

we've been accused of threatening violence

If you’re going to read one email from me this month, please make it this one. Public Citizen is under attack from a dark money political operation bankrolled by multiple right-wing billionaires. In a letter to the Department of Justice, the dark money outfit No Labels named Public Citizen as a…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 17, 2024 at 7:08 PM

update on the attack against us

The response to my earlier note about the attack on Public Citizen — from a billionaire-backed dark money operation — has been overwhelming. It is a powerful thing to know that so many people are ready to stand with us as we face this challenge. My original message is copied below in case you m…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 16, 2024 at 7:57 PM

please read this

If you’re going to read one email from me this month, please make it this one. Public Citizen is under attack from a dark money political operation bankrolled by multiple right-wing billionaires. In a letter to the Department of Justice, the dark money outfit No Labels named Public Citizen as a…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 15, 2024 at 8:52 PM

we are under attack

If you’re going to read one email from me this month, please make it this one. Public Citizen is under attack from a dark money political operation bankrolled by multiple right-wing billionaires. In a letter to the Department of Justice, the dark money outfit No Labels named Public Citizen as a…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 14, 2024 at 8:45 PM

does Donald Trump have absolute immunity?

Last week, a panel of appeals judges ruled unanimously that Donald Trump does not have immunity from prosecution for criminal charges stemming from his attempts to remain in power despite losing the 2020 election. That panel, by the way, includes judges appointed by both Democratic and Republica…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 13, 2024 at 9:24 PM

corrupt and disgraceful

Members of Congress are currently allowed to invest in military contractors — even when they have insider information and even as they prop up those same companies with billions upon billions of our taxpayer dollars. “How can that even be legal?” Good question. It’s one more example of just how…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 12, 2024 at 9:14 PM

politicians profiting from Pentagon spending

Members of Congress are currently allowed to invest in military contractors — even when they have insider information and even as they prop up those same companies with billions upon billions of our taxpayer dollars. “How can that even be legal?” Good question. It’s one more example of just how…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 9, 2024 at 7:27 PM

any plans for the next 915,119 years?

Fossil fuel behemoth BP made $13.8 billion in profits last year. To put that number in context: Suppose you make the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. (Yes, the federal minimum wage is still stuck where it was 15 years ago.) You work 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year. (No vacation for you!) …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 8, 2024 at 7:14 PM

BP is full of BS

Fossil fuel behemoth BP made $13.8 billion in profits last year. To put that number in context: Suppose you make the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. (Yes, the federal minimum wage is still stuck where it was 15 years ago.) You work 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year. (No vacation for you!) …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 7, 2024 at 7:54 PM

there is massive possibility for fraud

“They are compelling and convincing. They sound real. They look real. So there’s massive possibility for fraud.” That’s what I said on NBC Nightly News in a recent feature on deceptive content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) technology — audio, imagery, and video known as “deepfakes” —…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 6, 2024 at 6:53 PM

"we're facing electoral chaos"

“They are compelling and convincing. They sound real. They look real. So there’s massive possibility for fraud.” That’s what I said on NBC Nightly News in a recent feature on deceptive content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) technology — audio, imagery, and video known as “deepfakes” —…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

February 5, 2024 at 7:37 PM

government of the robots, by the robots, for the robots

“They are compelling and convincing. They sound real. They look real. So there’s massive possibility for fraud.” That’s what I said on NBC Nightly News in a recent feature on deceptive content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) technology — audio, imagery, and video known as “deepfakes” —…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 21, 2024 at 11:35 PM

it was 14 years ago today

It was 14 years ago today that the Supreme Court issued its infamously anti-democratic Citizens United ruling. Public Citizen called for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United within moments of the decision being handed down on January 21, 2010. And we’ve been a leader of that m…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 21, 2024 at 4:10 PM

the latest on overturning Citizens United

It was 14 years ago today that the Supreme Court issued its infamously anti-democratic Citizens United ruling. Public Citizen called for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United within moments of the decision being handed down on January 21, 2010. And we’ve been a leader of that m…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 21, 2024 at 12:15 AM

one of the most disastrous decisions in the history of the United States

This Sunday marks 14 years since the Supreme Court issued its infamously anti-democratic Citizens United ruling. Public Citizen called for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United within moments of the decision being handed down on January 21, 2010. And we’ve been a leader of that…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 20, 2024 at 7:37 PM

saving democracy from the scourge of money in politics

This Sunday marks 14 years since the Supreme Court issued its infamously anti-democratic Citizens United ruling. Public Citizen called for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United within moments of the decision being handed down on January 21, 2010. And we’ve been a leader of that…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 18, 2024 at 8:31 PM

we simply must not allow ourselves to become numb or indifferent

A thought exercise: Think of a leader of a country who is infamous for using military force to suppress opposition and even execute political rivals. Maybe you’re thinking of an ancient Roman emperor who operated with almost godlike power. Maybe you’re thinking of Joseph Stalin or Adolf Hitler. …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 17, 2024 at 7:15 PM

this Supreme Court ruling has undermined our democracy since 2010

It has been 14 years since the Supreme Court issued its infamous Citizens United ruling. For all that time, billionaires and Big Business have been free to spend literally as much as they want “influencing” — i.e. corrupting and distorting — our elections. People sense, accurately, that America i…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 16, 2024 at 7:07 PM

the latest on our campaign to overturn Citizens United

It has been 14 years since the Supreme Court issued its infamous Citizens United ruling. For all that time, billionaires and Big Business have been free to spend literally as much as they want “influencing” — i.e. corrupting and distorting — our elections. People sense, accurately, that America i…

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 14, 2024 at 8:24 PM

killing political opponents

A thought exercise: Think of a leader of a country who is infamous for using military force to suppress opposition and even execute political rivals. Maybe you’re thinking of an ancient Roman emperor who operated with almost godlike power. Maybe you’re thinking of Joseph Stalin or Adolf Hitler. …

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  Public Citizen · [email protected]

January 12, 2024 at 9:13 PM

think of a country whose leader could get away with killing political rivals

A thought exercise: Think of a leader of a country who is infamous for using military force to suppress opposition and even execute political rivals. Maybe you’re thinking of an ancient Roman emperor who operated with almost godlike power. Maybe you’re thinking of Joseph Stalin or Adolf Hitler. …

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