January 18, 2012
I am more than deeply concerned about the influence of corporate money on our electoral process, I am ANGRY. I am a 77 year old senior citizen concerned about our democracy. My daughters and grandchildren's futures are at stake.
In particular, I am appalled that, because of the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, publicly traded corporations can spend investor's money on political activity in secret. Our government should not be for sale to the corporations of the world, and the money they spend on purchasing our government SHOULD be going to investment in research and development, hiring those out of work, and to dividends to shareholders who count on them for income in retirement.
I am writing to urge the Securities and Exchange Commission to issue a rule requiring publicly traded corporations to publicly disclose all their political spending.
Both shareholders and the public must be fully informed as to how much the corporation spends on politics and which candidates are being promoted or attacked. Disclosures should be posted promptly on the SEC's web site. AND if there is a way to STOP their spending to buy our government please do that as well.
Thank you for considering my comment.
Nancy Seats
St. Louis, MO