February 5, 2013
Dear Members of the Securities and Exchange Commission:
After the Citizens United decision, it has become difficult--no, impossible-- for the public to learn what corporations are sponsoring what political messages. As a shareholder AND as a citizen, it is very important that the SEC do its part to make sure ensure such disclosure. Political democracy DEPENDS upon such disclosures. Just as citizens and consumers understand that an ad for Rice Krispees (my favorite cereal) is paid for by Kellogg's, it is critically important to me as a citizen to understand who is paying for the political messages we hear so often, particularly during campaign seasons. I cannot be an informed citizen or shareholder without this information.
Please do yur art to make this a matter of public informaton. Thank you.
So I strongly support the SEC issuing a rule in the near future that would require publicly traded corporations to publicly disclose all their spending on political activities.
Both shareholders and the public deserve to know how much a given corporation spends on politics (directly and through intermediaries), and which candidates are being promoted or attacked.
Thank you for considering my comment.
Sincerely,
Joyce Rothschild