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By: Caren Jean Campbell
Public Affairs Coordinator, The Seniors Coalition
Before her term as House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi proposed an unconstitutional bill which seeks to prevent grassroots organizations - or any community leader who reaches more than 500 people - from encouraging their members to contact their representatives in Washington. The move was defeated in January, but Madame Speaker's rampage continues. She hopes to reintroduce it in the near future.
"Grassroots" is a term that refers to a network of individual citizens working together for a shared cause. These groups can range from community associations to church groups to groups like The Seniors Coalition. People join such groups so that they will have a voice in Washington. For most of us, visiting DC daily to discuss important topics with our representatives is not only time consuming and expensive, but nonsensical.
These organizations are the members' collective voice. If a group of 300 individuals comes together and each gives $10, those individuals now have the same voice as one person who spends $3,000.00. A thousand voices can be more powerful than one voice.
The Seniors Coalition has four million members who have joined together because they share the same concerns and are dedicated to the ideals of the free market. The benefit of joining such an organization, besides creating strength in numbers, is a staff that fights for the members on Capitol Hill and keep members up-to-date on the issues and policies they have interest in.
We recognize the fact that they have lives to lead outside of Washington, DC and that we exist to research issues and work for them. Proponents of this bill either do not recognize that fact, or they are purposely trying to hinder political discourse and the participation of the people in the process.
Grassroots organizations are essential component of the political discourse in America because they not only represent their members in Washington, DC but also keep the public up-to-date on legislation. Through action alerts, a website, and press releases The Seniors Coalition and organizations like us keep members and media informed. This "reform" bill will put an embargo on public discourse and free speech.
The legislators themselves know more than anyone how difficult it is to keep up with all the issues that the federal government involves itself in. They hire a staff member for each policy area. If they need to rely on staff members for up-to-date information then all American citizens should be allowed to rely on grassroots organizations to keep you up-to-date.
This measure is aimed at grassroots organizations, pastors, "bloggers" and anyone who encourages others to get involved in the political process. It is aimed at the community leaders who bring people together so that they may strengthen their voices by pooling their resources. It certainly does not hurt your wealthy neighbor who can give $5,000 to the candidate of his choice without batting an eye. And it does not harm the voices of industries who can hire powerful lobbyists. If such a law passes, it may ensure that those voices are the only ones your congressman will hear.
The ultimate consequence of this bill will be that the average American will not have his voice heard. Proponents, in their tirade against Constitutional rights, are trying to take the responsibility entrusted to them and turn it into a dictatorship.
Did our "Greatest Generation" sacrifice and fight against dictators abroad, only to be assaulted by them at home? Proponents of this bill are excluding people from the legislative process- making a mockery of what is supposed to be a representative democracy. Proponents believe they are the cultured class and you are the unsophisticated. This dismissive and elitist attitude is sending a clear message to the American people: "We don't want to hear from you. We know what is in your best interest so stop pestering us with your 'views'."
Thomas Jefferson said it best: "The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object."
Your representative should not be worried about how you obtain information on current issues. Your representative is there to represent you. That means representing your wishes and opinions. They need only be interested in your expressed opinion as a constituent.
If the blemish on the United States, known as California's 8th district, want to give up the right to self-governance that is its prerogative, but the rest of America should not be forced to do the same. The job of Congress is to represent our needs. You have a right to have your voice heard, you have a right to associate with like-minded individuals, but Congress does not have the right to destroy groups that facilitate it.
Our suggestion to Pelosi: let American citizens associate and participate freely in this representative democracy and stop this rampage on the first amendment.
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