Their first goal is to pass the We the People Amendment, which says that inalienable rights belong to human beings only, not to mere legal entities such as for-profit and not-for-profit corporations, and that money is not a form of protected speech under the First Amendment and can be regulated in political campaigns.
Getting corporations out of government and getting big money out of elections sounds a lot like Mr. Sanders.
Should Bernie Sanders win come November 8, what will happen to the powerful force that advanced Sanders to victory beginning on November 9? If Sanders fails to capture the Democratic nomination will this movement to elect him go home and await instructions, or will Sandernistas merge with the democracy movement bringing vibrancy, leadership, organizing experience and tech savvy to help fight corporate rule on the frontlines and help create an authentic and participatory democracy, which brings forth economic, civil, and environmental justice, no matter who the president is?
Mr. Sanders knows what a people's movement is. He participated in the Civil Rights movement, so when he asks us for a movement it's because he needs one to win, and then he needs one to govern. I'm sure he's grateful for the votes and the donations, but something about this man's life convinces me that what would make him really happy, win or lose, is to see the movement he is calling for materialize.
It would make many others happy as well. Systemic change doesn't happen at the ballot box; it happens in the streets. Political parties follow, they don't lead the way; the people do. When We the People finally stand up and take direct action, we can fix our broken system. That's what Mr. Sanders believes, what I believe, and why I've been volunteering for Move to Amend for the past six years.
So to that end, Move to Amend invites all Sandernistas to endorse our campaign to legalize democracy and help build the democracy movement we so badly need.
Laura Bonham is a community organizer with 25 years experience on issue and candidate campaigns, including six years in local government. She has been a member of Move to Amend's national leadership team since April of 2010.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
3
2
1
