Campaign Finance

From Corporate-Bought Politics to People-Powered Democracy

“The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is Fascism—ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power.”- Franklin Roosevelt

The Crisis Right Now

Our “representative,” Republican August Pfluger’s, contributions to the Big “Beautiful” Bill destroyed all incentives for clean energy initiatives and squashed a tax on methane released in the air by drilling. Why? Because Rep. Pfluger takes Big Oil’s money—$573,721 in 2024, the most in America, more than Trump and Ted Cruz. There are no limits on corporate contributions in Texas politics. Working families have no voice against corporate interests. Politicians like Pfluger serve their donors, not their constituents—your vote doesn’t matter if corporations write bigger checks than you. This is precisely why you, YOU, feel powerless to do anything about your government.

The Solution

82% of the American people think that too much money in politics is a danger to Democracy! 82%! I say we listen to the people and end corporate control of politics by reversing the Citizen’s United Supreme Court decision with a Constitutional Amendment and banning corporate lobbying. When politicians don’t take corporate money, they work for voters. When elections are publicly financed, democracy works for everyone.

How This Actually Happens

DAY 1: No Corporate Money Pledge

  • No corporate PAC money—I work for voters, not oil company donors.
  • File legislation banning congressional stock trading immediately. 
  • Transparent fundraising—every donor over $200 disclosed.

PHASE 1 (Year 1-2: Congressional Reform

  • Stock trading ban passes with bipartisan support. 
  • Ethics enforcement strengthened with real penalties. 
  • Lobbying restrictions—no more revolving door between Congress and corporations. 
  • Small donor matching pilot program launches.

PHASE 2 (Year 2-4): Campaign Finance Reform

  • Constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United advances. 
  • Public financing pilot expands to all congressional races. 
  • Corporate PAC influence begins to shrink measurably. 
  • Voter participation increases as people see their voice matters.

PHASE 3 (Year 4-6): Transparency Requirements

  • Real-time disclosure of all political spending. 
  • Dark money groups forced to reveal donors. 
  • RFC transparency rule—companies getting federal loans must disclose political spending. 
  • Corporate welfare tied to political neutrality.

LONG-TERM VISION: Democracy Restored

  • 70% of campaign money comes from small donors. 
  • Politicians serve voters, not corporate interests. 
  • Government works for working families. 
  • Corruption becomes the exception, not the rule.

What about Representative August Pfluger?

Imagine August Pfluger having to ask you, “Hey, can I get 20 bucks for my campaign?” That is precisely what he’ll be forced to do! Would you support him? Can you even picture what he looks like? (Where is he, anyway?) Well, he’ll probably get a cushy oil lobbyist job when he loses to me, but he better stay out of MY office!… Then when we curb lobbying, he might find himself unemployed! I suppose then he’ll go back to a scaled down defense department, where his undeniable talents will serve him and our country much more effectively.