📢 It’s Time to Take Money Out of Politics and Put Power Back in the Hands of the People
🗽A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny. Throughout history, Americans have faced corruption, injustice, and authoritarian overreach. And every time, we fought back.
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It's Time to Take Money Out of Politics and Put Power Back in the Hands of the People
The true power of a democracy lies in its people. Yet today, our election system is increasingly dominated by wealthy elites and special interest groups, undermining the principle of government "by the people, for the people." When the wealthy few buy outsized influence, public trust erodes, and the needs of everyday Americans are sidelined. But the numbers reveal something more profound: we have the collective power to take our democracy back.
The Money Problem
Consider this: of the 539 members of Congress, only 16 received more than half of their donations from small donors. Those 16 lawmakers raised $86 million from everyday people—nearly 60% of their total contributions. This is proof of what real people power can achieve. Yet such examples are rare.
Only 1% of Americans donate to candidates, parties, or PACs, leaving the funding of elections to a tiny, wealthy minority.
In the 2024 presidential race, the top 100 individuals gave $438 million to Democrats and a staggering $1.4 trillion to Republicans. The top 50 organizations poured another $629 million into Democrats and $1.3 trillion into Republicans. These sums don't even include "dark money," which remains hidden from public view.
This concentration of wealth translates directly into policy outcomes. As NPR recently reported, even as public frustration grows, Congress continues to drag its feet on commonsense reforms like banning members from trading stocks while in office—reforms that would help restore integrity and reduce conflicts of interest (NPR, 2025). The moneyed elite have tilted the playing field so far in their favor that trust in government is near historic lows.
The Untapped Potential of People Power
But this imbalance is not destiny. If everyone who didn't vote for Trump in 2024 gave just $10 toward a grassroots democracy movement, we could match the billions poured in by billionaires and corporations. That single calculation shows ordinary people working together have a vast, untapped strength.
The Brennan Center notes that "public financing programs have proven that small-donor systems can work. From Maine to Arizona, and now New York, these systems amplify the voices of everyday people and give candidates the freedom to run without relying on wealthy donors" (Brennan Center, 2025).
This isn't a call for donations—it's a reminder of your power. Billionaires may have money, but we have numbers. Democracy is strongest when it reflects the collective will, not the checkbooks of a privileged few.
The Path Forward
To restore faith in our democracy and put power back where it belongs, we must act boldly:
Ban Members of Congress, Supreme Court, the President and Vice-President, and their spouses from trading or owning stocks while in office
Implement publicly funded elections so candidates can compete on ideas, not fundraising totals.
Enforce strict caps on contributions to level the playing field.
Shine a light on dark money with stronger disclosure laws.
Overturn Citizens United, the Supreme Court ruling that opened the floodgates to unlimited corporate spending.
Each step chips away at money's influence and restores elections to what they should be: ideas, vision, and values contests.
A Call to Action
The numbers may be daunting, but they also show us the path forward. If we choose to act, America could transform the political landscape.
As NPR put it, "public pressure can force lawmakers to act where money seeks to paralyze them" (NPR, 2025). The true power of democracy lies not with the few who can buy influence but with the many who demand accountability.
Together, we can end the era of big money domination and build a government that serves all of us—not just the highest bidders. Power belongs to the people. It's time we take it back.
Today’s calls to action
Click here to Send a message to your lawmaker: Everyone deserves to live in a community free of gun violence
Click here to Stop Citizens United – Get Dark Money Out of Our Democracy
Click here to sign the petition: Tell Congress: Stop Trump’s Hostile Takeover of D.C.
Click here to send a letter to Congress: Tell Congress: STOP Trump's D.C. Takeover
Make a Call
Our friends at MoveOn are urging us to call our Members of Congress and follow the script below:
Dial 833-426-4199 or (202) 224-3121 to be directly connected.
You could say something like this: “Hello, my name is _____ and I’m a constituent from _____. I’m calling to urge [member of Congress] to publicly oppose the deployment of National Guard troops in D.C. and the militarization of our streets. I urge [member of Congress] to support the Termination Resolution, H.J. Res 115, to end this so-called emergency and to oppose federal funding for the deployment of the National Guard in D.C. or any other American city.”
Thanks for taking action!
OUR VALUES
People Power United champions progress and power to the people.
In this community, we will always speak out and show up against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, ageism, ableism, sizeism, elitism, transphobia, misogynoir, and bigotry in all its forms!
We are a group of people who believe in the possibility of change—and work every day to make it happen. Join us by taking action and speaking out to champion progress and power to the people!
Other Ways to Plug Into Our Work
People Power United is community-powered, heart-driven, and people-led. You make that possible.
🔥 Join us on the front lines:
➡️ Speak Out – Check out our latest calls to action
➡️ Show Up – Find events near you
➡️ Join People Power United – Invite others to join the movement
We are powered by people. Not billionaires. Not PACs. Just us.
FYI
Please note that when People Power United uses the word “fight” in writing, online, or in speech, we mean to advocate fiercely, never to incite or support violence. We do not condone violence in any form, nor do we promote breaking the law.
Our work is rooted in peaceful advocacy through exercising our constitutional rights: voting, free speech, peaceful assembly, rallies, protests, and acts of civil disobedience. We use these tools to defend our rights, freedoms, the rule of law, and our democracy. And together, we will win.
Join us to build People Power! Together, we can champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people's will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.
Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests)
People Power United is a group of community members that champions progress and power for the people.
🌟 Join activists powering the movement for progress and power to the people —become a free or paid subscriber today and make your voice count! Subscribe to our newsletter 📰