May 22, 2014
I urge the Securities and Exchange Commission to resume work on the rule requiring publicly traded corporations to disclose their political spending. You should return the rule to the unified agenda and - without more delay and confusion for such a simple thing - complete the rule in 2014.
It would be absurd for a small business owner not to know if his or her company’s money is being spent to help elect politicians. The same holds true for shareholders. You should allow all Americans to know who are the CEOs who divert our retirement savings and investments as a political war chest for partisan interests like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The Supreme Court’s appalling Citizens United ruling lead to a flood of secret money warping our democracy. Bringing corporate “dark money” into the light is small step toward reform, and it should be a high priority for an agency charged with looking out for the interests of investors like me. Disclosures should be posted promptly on the SEC’s web site.
Get off your tail, and take this small step from lap dog to watch dog.
Richard Emory