Massive, increasing, amounts of money are disproportionately influencing our state and federal elections, and driving public policies towards private interests that are clearly at odds with the wishes of the majority opinion and the public interest. Just as concerning is the fact that Dark Money is beginning to dominate elections and drive government decisions.

With each election, this problem only gets worse. Michigan is one of the states where this problem is quite severe. Indeed, some of the early advocates of unlimited election money were based right here in Michigan. In 2018, the amount of money spent for Michigan’s 14 congressional districts doubled from $40 Million in 2016 to $80 Million. Candidates know that the general rule is if you want to win you need to have the most money. Candidates aim to raise more than the winner of the last race. The growth cycle in spending never ends.

In the last 10 years or so, election money found a way to hide what it does and who is behind it. Non-profit, “advocacy” groups who are currently allowed to engage in elections funding, are not obligated to report their financial activities like the regulated election campaign groups. Not surprisingly, greater amounts of election activity and funding is being handled by these (known as Dark Money) groups. Another dubious milestone for Michigan: In 2018, Dark Money was the largest source of funds in our Governor’s race!

How can any of us have a meaningful vote if we don’t know who is funding a candidate? Only with transparency can we the people make informed decisions and give proper weight to different speakers and messages. The people of Michigan absolutely have the right to know in a timely manner the original source, quantity, timing, and nature of resources used to influence our elections, ballot measures, and government actions. Thus, our campaign slogan is: Show MI the Money!

If the above trends are not reversed, and soon, our democracy is going to become an oligarchy – a country where the wealthy and big corporations rule. In our state and federal constitutions it clearly says the people hold the power. We the citizens have the right to know.

To win, our elected officials must play by the current rules/practices. They are literally caught up in the system. So to get the changes we need, it is up to us citizens to make this happen. And we are prepared to do just that.

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