Democracy Archives

Blog

Sessions is a looming threat to people of color and the planet
Sessions is a looming threat to people of color and the planet

The nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) as United States attorney general presents U.S. senators with one such decision.

This is how we will fight for people and the planet
This is how we will fight for people and the planet

Donald Trump poses a serious threat to our society and our environment. He made his way to the White House by tapping into the deepest and darkest fears in our country and exploiting them. It’s on all of us to fight back. We are outraged by Trump’s political appointees: he is putting racists, xenophobes, chauvinists and anti-Semites in the highest levels of government; he is handing over regulation of industry to top corporate insiders, ultimately…

Court upholds ban on contractor pay-to-play donations
Court upholds ban on contractor pay-to-play donations

Earlier this week, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously rejected a challenge to the 1974 ban on campaign contributions by federal contractors. Ruling on Wagner v. FEC, the 11-member court collectively upheld the Nixon-era rule designed to prevent quid pro quo corruption via “pay-to-play” political donations by individual contractors. The D.C. courts decision came days after Friends of the Earth’s recent call-in campaign pressing President Obama to issue an executive order requiring federal…

Why I’m going to the People’s Climate March
Why I’m going to the People’s Climate March

This Sunday, September 21, thousands of people will gather in New York City for the People's Climate March. Americans who want to see a future filled with healthy families, clear air, clean water and safe communities will march through the streets to bring awareness  to the fight of our time: averting climate disruption. Every voice counts as we demonstrate to move the United Nations towards meaningful action during their 2014 meeting in New York.

Will the Kochs #GiveItBack?
Will the Kochs #GiveItBack?

Earlier this month, billionaire siblings Charles and David Koch made it publicly clear that they hate subsidies of all kinds -- even the ones they benefit from as oil producers. Although it is refreshing to hear that even oilmen are now against oil subsidies, it would be even more refreshing if the Kochs were willing to lead by example -- that is, if the Kochs were willing to return their share of the billions that…

Dirty money, dirty fuels: why money in politics matters to the environment
Dirty money, dirty fuels: why money in politics matters to the environment

What if fighting dirty money in our elections was the key to fighting dirty fuels in our economy? That’s the question asked in a recent report released by the Sierra Club and Oil Change International.

From the perspective of the fossil fuel industry, political contributions are just another form of investment. The only difference is that, for the millions polluters spend on elections, they see billions in bonus profits. As the report says, “The return…

Government By the People Act takes back political power from big polluters
Government By the People Act takes back political power from big polluters

On April 23, 2014, President of Friends of the Earth Erich Pica gave remarks at a press conference hosted by Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) on the environmental benefits of the Government By the People Act, recently introduced by Sarbanes. The bill would provide tax incentives for small donors and match small donations made to candidates with federal funds, lessening the grip big polluters have on American politics. A companion bill, the Fair Elections Now Act,…

Addressing the climate crisis with a Robin Hood Tax
Addressing the climate crisis with a Robin Hood Tax

As president of Friends of the Earth U.S., I am proud to support, on behalf of our more than 250,000 members and activists and in solidarity with our friends from numerous activist organizations, a Robin Hood Tax. Friends, if it isn't all ready clear, we are in this together. The global economic crisis, largely created by the various entities we want to tax, has forced austerity measures in both the European governments and the United…

Fed-Up with Larry Summers
Fed-Up with Larry Summers

There are just some public officials who won't go away.

Exhibit A: President Obama's former director of the National Economic Council and the former secretary of treasury under President Clinton, Lawrence H. Summers.

This time around, President Obama is considering whether to appoint Larry Summers to head the Federal Reserve, perhaps the country's most preeminent appointment on economic matters. Summers would have a global pedestal to push his brand of failed market fundamentalism. His argument…