January 10, 2013
Securities and Exchange Comm.
Dear Securities and Exchange Comm.,
Surely the past two years have made it frighteningly clear how huge amounts of corporate money has distorted our electoral process. Most especially in state and local elections, where fewer of us are looking for it, the influence that this money wields is taking control from the voters, the citizens who are directly affected by local policy.
This is why I’m writing to urge the commission’s prompt approval of rules requiring public disclosure of political spending by publicly-held companies. It is also the SEC’s responsibility to ensure that investors have the information they need to make sound decisions about where to put their money and disclosure is absolutely vital to this end. Shareholders have a right to know how companies in their investment portfolios are investing that money, particularly when the spending falls outside the company’s normal business activity.
Thank you for considering my comment.
Sincerely,
William Kloss