We the People Massachusetts
@wethepeoplemass.bsky.social
We're a non-partisan, all-volunteer group supporting a constitutional amendment to get big money out of politics and reserve the Constitution's rights for people, not corporations. Tired of oligarchy?
Get involved at www.wethepeoplemass.org.
Get involved at www.wethepeoplemass.org.
Ballot questions are increasingly how MA laws are made but disclosure regs for ballot question committees are lax compared to those for candidates. S.507/H.868 "An Act Improving Campaign Finance Reporting by State Ballot Question Committees," aims to help. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/11/o...
Lifting the curtain on the money behind ballot questions - The Boston Globe
Massachusetts ballot questions grow — and so should the disclosures of the money behind them
www.bostonglobe.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Ballot questions are increasingly how MA laws are made but disclosure regs for ballot question committees are lax compared to those for candidates. S.507/H.868 "An Act Improving Campaign Finance Reporting by State Ballot Question Committees," aims to help. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/11/o...
👍Massachusetts bill H.806/S.506, requiring disclosure of people/groups spending more than $1000 to influence a town meeting warrant article or an article vote, has been advanced out of the Joint Committee on Election Laws. gazettenet.com/2025/12/24/h...
House points light at dark money in local politics - Daily Hampshire Gazette
Legislation requiring public disclosure for people and groups spending significant sums to influence town meeting votes is gaining some traction on Beacon Hill. The bill (H 806) won initial House appr...
gazettenet.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:01 PM
👍Massachusetts bill H.806/S.506, requiring disclosure of people/groups spending more than $1000 to influence a town meeting warrant article or an article vote, has been advanced out of the Joint Committee on Election Laws. gazettenet.com/2025/12/24/h...
Reposted by We the People Massachusetts
As MA lawmakers weighed a bill that would weaken climate goals and cut @MassSave, nearly $12,000 in utility & lobbyist donations flowed to House leaders (not the Senate!). Does the MA House represent the gas industry, or everyday people? #mapoli
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/16/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/16/m...
‘It just seems like amateur hour’: As climate bill worked through Beacon Hill, industry donations poured in - The Boston Globe
On the same day a climate bill passed, the committee chair reported receiving thousands in donations from utility companies, energy groups, and lobbyists.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:46 PM
As MA lawmakers weighed a bill that would weaken climate goals and cut @MassSave, nearly $12,000 in utility & lobbyist donations flowed to House leaders (not the Senate!). Does the MA House represent the gas industry, or everyday people? #mapoli
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/16/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/16/m...
Reposted by We the People Massachusetts
As long as donor money runs politics,
tax breaks will keep flowing upward.
Meanwhile, voters run in place -
hamsters on a wheel, working harder just to stand still.
Get these fucking bribes out of politics or make peace with being stuck on that hamster wheel your entire lives!
tax breaks will keep flowing upward.
Meanwhile, voters run in place -
hamsters on a wheel, working harder just to stand still.
Get these fucking bribes out of politics or make peace with being stuck on that hamster wheel your entire lives!
December 4, 2025 at 5:07 PM
As long as donor money runs politics,
tax breaks will keep flowing upward.
Meanwhile, voters run in place -
hamsters on a wheel, working harder just to stand still.
Get these fucking bribes out of politics or make peace with being stuck on that hamster wheel your entire lives!
tax breaks will keep flowing upward.
Meanwhile, voters run in place -
hamsters on a wheel, working harder just to stand still.
Get these fucking bribes out of politics or make peace with being stuck on that hamster wheel your entire lives!
Why we need HJR54, the #WeThePeopleAmendment: "The real story isn't about the ads you see but the power you don't...the candidates who never run, the policies that never get debated, and the slow, systemic drift of our democracy away from the will of the majority." open.substack.com/pub/data4dem...
Money Doesn't Buy Elections. It Does Something Worse.
Campaign ads barely move the needle. The real influence is hiding in plain sight.
open.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Why we need HJR54, the #WeThePeopleAmendment: "The real story isn't about the ads you see but the power you don't...the candidates who never run, the policies that never get debated, and the slow, systemic drift of our democracy away from the will of the majority." open.substack.com/pub/data4dem...
Reposted by We the People Massachusetts
On 12/9, SCOTUS is set to weigh in on a campaign finance policy limiting how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates. But evaluating policy is Congress's job, not the Court's, @danw329.bsky.social told @slate.com.
The Supreme Court Is Poised to Revive a Key Feature of Nixon-Era Corruption
The justices will hear arguments on Tuesday in NRSC v. FEC, a case cooked up by the GOP itself.
slate.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:56 PM
On 12/9, SCOTUS is set to weigh in on a campaign finance policy limiting how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates. But evaluating policy is Congress's job, not the Court's, @danw329.bsky.social told @slate.com.
Americans don't agree on everything but 83% believe that "wealthy individuals and businesses should be limited in how much they can advance political candidates or causes they support." news.gallup.com/poll/696494/...
Americans Show Consensus on Many Democracy-Related Matters
A Kettering Foundation/Gallup survey finds most Americans support political compromise, view multiculturalism as a strength and reject political violence.
news.gallup.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Americans don't agree on everything but 83% believe that "wealthy individuals and businesses should be limited in how much they can advance political candidates or causes they support." news.gallup.com/poll/696494/...
Good news, but voters also need strong campaign finance disclosure laws and inquisitive independent local media to best know which candidates are running on behalf of big donors. newrepublic.com/article/2033... via @newrepublic.com
The Real Losers in Seattle’s Mayoral
Election? Oligarchs.
They poured mountains of dollars into trying to find ways to stop socialist Katie Wilson. But to younger voters, their money stinks.
newrepublic.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Good news, but voters also need strong campaign finance disclosure laws and inquisitive independent local media to best know which candidates are running on behalf of big donors. newrepublic.com/article/2033... via @newrepublic.com
Reposted by We the People Massachusetts
All part of the same problem: Citizens United decision, money in politics, fossil fuel lobbying and climate denial/obstruction, oil export-dependent Russia buying and blackmailing US politicians, CEOs, & media moguls with Epstein in the middle…
Never forget: At breakneck speed we are leaving the stable Holocene climate in which human society developed and thrived. Weather extremes are outside historical experience. Sea-level rise is accelerating. Dangerous tipping points are ahead.
Graph: ed-hawkins.github.io/climate-visu...
Graph: ed-hawkins.github.io/climate-visu...
November 13, 2025 at 2:39 PM
All part of the same problem: Citizens United decision, money in politics, fossil fuel lobbying and climate denial/obstruction, oil export-dependent Russia buying and blackmailing US politicians, CEOs, & media moguls with Epstein in the middle…
Thank you, Rep. Bill Keating, for being the most recent Massachusetts co-sponsor of the We the People Amendment!
Rep. Keating joins Reps. Moulton, Pressley, Neal, and Lynch... we still have to get Reps. Trahan, Clark, Auchincloss, and McGovern to sign on. Constituents, make that call!
Rep. Keating joins Reps. Moulton, Pressley, Neal, and Lynch... we still have to get Reps. Trahan, Clark, Auchincloss, and McGovern to sign on. Constituents, make that call!
November 7, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Thank you, Rep. Bill Keating, for being the most recent Massachusetts co-sponsor of the We the People Amendment!
Rep. Keating joins Reps. Moulton, Pressley, Neal, and Lynch... we still have to get Reps. Trahan, Clark, Auchincloss, and McGovern to sign on. Constituents, make that call!
Rep. Keating joins Reps. Moulton, Pressley, Neal, and Lynch... we still have to get Reps. Trahan, Clark, Auchincloss, and McGovern to sign on. Constituents, make that call!
A new poll shows that regardless of party affiliation, Americans believe unlimited political spending weakens democracy, wealthy donors have too much influence, the Citizens United decision was a mistake, and government needs to take action. www.opensecrets.org/news/2025/10...
Most Americans see unlimited election spending as a threat to democracy: poll - OpenSecrets News
The vast majority of Americans — no matter their partisan identification — say unlimited political spending weakens democracy and wealthy…
www.opensecrets.org
October 30, 2025 at 5:02 PM
A new poll shows that regardless of party affiliation, Americans believe unlimited political spending weakens democracy, wealthy donors have too much influence, the Citizens United decision was a mistake, and government needs to take action. www.opensecrets.org/news/2025/10...
CA's Climate Accountability Package requires big companies doing business there to disclose carbon emissions and climate-related financial risks. Exxon is suing saying the disclosure requirements infringe on its right to free speech. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Exxon sues California over climate laws, alleging free speech violations
Oil firm asks court to block enforcement of laws that would require disclosure of planet-heating carbon emissions
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:50 AM
CA's Climate Accountability Package requires big companies doing business there to disclose carbon emissions and climate-related financial risks. Exxon is suing saying the disclosure requirements infringe on its right to free speech. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Trump-aligned political committees spent big at Trump-owned private properties, per the latest FEC campaign spending records. www.notus.org/money/republ...
Republican Political Spending at Trump Properties Tops $1 Million in 2025
MAGA politicians spent the summer pumping more cash into the president’s hotels, golf courses and resorts.
www.notus.org
October 26, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Trump-aligned political committees spent big at Trump-owned private properties, per the latest FEC campaign spending records. www.notus.org/money/republ...
Reposted by We the People Massachusetts
A federal court case from Maine now headed to Boston could decide the future of campaign finance in America, writes James Pindell.
A Maine super PAC case could reshape campaign finance rules nationwide. Or it could backfire. - The Boston Globe
The Maine law at the center of the case limits contributions to any super PAC to $5,000 per donor.
trib.al
October 22, 2025 at 6:19 PM
A federal court case from Maine now headed to Boston could decide the future of campaign finance in America, writes James Pindell.
For your protest sign, car window, etc: Liza Donnelly's Trump drawings, with links to more illustrations by Anne Telnaes and Steven Brodner. lizadonnelly.substack.com/p/trump-draw...
Trump Drawings
For No Kings Day
lizadonnelly.substack.com
October 18, 2025 at 1:09 AM
For your protest sign, car window, etc: Liza Donnelly's Trump drawings, with links to more illustrations by Anne Telnaes and Steven Brodner. lizadonnelly.substack.com/p/trump-draw...
Best way to celebrate Constitution Day here in Massachusetts? Urge your Representative to co-sponsor HJR 54, the We the People Amendment. We're looking for support from Reps. Auchincloss, Trahan, Keating, McGovern, & Clark. For info on HJR 54, see www.movetoamend.org/amendment.
September 17, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Best way to celebrate Constitution Day here in Massachusetts? Urge your Representative to co-sponsor HJR 54, the We the People Amendment. We're looking for support from Reps. Auchincloss, Trahan, Keating, McGovern, & Clark. For info on HJR 54, see www.movetoamend.org/amendment.
Reposted by We the People Massachusetts
If your policies are so controversial that you are afraid to face the people you represent, then maybe you are representing your donors instead of them.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
September 13, 2025 at 5:18 PM
If your policies are so controversial that you are afraid to face the people you represent, then maybe you are representing your donors instead of them.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
A federal judge claimed Maine's limit on super PAC contributions unconstitutional; an appeal is in the works. Meanwhile, Montana voters may have the chance to vote on a state-level corporate law change that could effectively neuter Citizens United. www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics...
As campaign spending flows unchecked, some states are trying to impose limits
The role of outside money in elections has grown exponentially ever since the Supreme Court ruled in 2010 that political spending is a form of speech. Now, some advocates of campaign finance reform ho...
www.csmonitor.com
August 28, 2025 at 5:12 PM
A federal judge claimed Maine's limit on super PAC contributions unconstitutional; an appeal is in the works. Meanwhile, Montana voters may have the chance to vote on a state-level corporate law change that could effectively neuter Citizens United. www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics...
Reposted by We the People Massachusetts
GOOD NEWS: Seattle renewed funding for its successful Democracy Voucher Program! Public financing programs like these have proven effective in reducing the outsized role big money plays in political campaigns and making government more accountable to the people.
What Is Public Financing? How Small-Dollar Democracy Combats Big-Money Elections
Public funding for campaigns comes with specific requirements that reinforce the principles of transparency, accountability and responsiveness, thereby maintaining the integrity of the program and the...
campaignlegal.org
August 7, 2025 at 6:12 PM
GOOD NEWS: Seattle renewed funding for its successful Democracy Voucher Program! Public financing programs like these have proven effective in reducing the outsized role big money plays in political campaigns and making government more accountable to the people.
Unprecedented corruption, influence peddling, & intimidation. Time to amend the Constitution to demand campaign finance regulation and bar corporations from using the rights of people. Ask your Rep to co-sponsor HJR54, the We the People Amendment-learn more at movetoamend.org, wethepeoplemass.org.
Trump's super PAC has raised six times more than any presidential super PAC at this point in a cycle. We track who’s behind the money:
Unprecedented Big Money Surge for Super PAC Tied to Trump
Million-dollar donors fuel a nearly $200 million war chest to support a president who can’t run again.
www.brennancenter.org
August 6, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Unprecedented corruption, influence peddling, & intimidation. Time to amend the Constitution to demand campaign finance regulation and bar corporations from using the rights of people. Ask your Rep to co-sponsor HJR54, the We the People Amendment-learn more at movetoamend.org, wethepeoplemass.org.
"The business lobby has, for all of these years, operated on a false assumption. They believed that they could slowly strip away the foundations of the House of Democracy for a quick buck, without the house ever falling down. Wrong." www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/the-busine...
The Business Community Is Extraordinarily Stupid
Is a dictatorship good for business?
www.hamiltonnolan.com
August 3, 2025 at 2:35 AM
"The business lobby has, for all of these years, operated on a false assumption. They believed that they could slowly strip away the foundations of the House of Democracy for a quick buck, without the house ever falling down. Wrong." www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/the-busine...
Reposted by We the People Massachusetts
This was always the goal of citizens united. Campaign finance reform should be at the top of the Democrat’s platform, and they should be unabashedly pounding this message. Bernie and AOC have had great success with it.
How the Billionaires Took Over America
Yes, Donald Trump is a threat to democracy. But the far bigger menace is the monstrous growth in wealth concentration over five decades that made a Trump presidency possible—and maybe inevitable. Here...
newrepublic.com
July 30, 2025 at 11:04 AM
This was always the goal of citizens united. Campaign finance reform should be at the top of the Democrat’s platform, and they should be unabashedly pounding this message. Bernie and AOC have had great success with it.
Meanwhile the fossil fuel industry invested over $219 million to elect the current Congress and POTUS and has every expectation of payback. If we want the US to be part of that different world, we need to plug the loopholes and overturn the court decisions that enable big money political bribery.
Globally, roughly a third more power is being generated from the sun this spring than last. If this exponential rate of growth can continue, we will soon live in a very different world, @billmckibben.bsky.social writes.
4.6 Billion Years On, the Sun Is Having a Moment
In the past two years, without much notice, solar power has begun to truly transform the world’s energy system.
www.newyorker.com
July 10, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Meanwhile the fossil fuel industry invested over $219 million to elect the current Congress and POTUS and has every expectation of payback. If we want the US to be part of that different world, we need to plug the loopholes and overturn the court decisions that enable big money political bribery.
Reposted by We the People Massachusetts
Online platforms aren’t currently required to disclose political spending. As more political activity moves online and dark money surges to record highs, the need for more transparency is clear.
bit.ly/3TkrIc3
bit.ly/3TkrIc3
Online Ad Spending in 2024 Election Totaled at Least $1.9 Billion
The most comprehensive analysis to date shows the scale of political spending on the four largest digital platforms, as well as stark differences in strategy between candidates, parties, and outside groups.
www.brennancenter.org
July 5, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Online platforms aren’t currently required to disclose political spending. As more political activity moves online and dark money surges to record highs, the need for more transparency is clear.
bit.ly/3TkrIc3
bit.ly/3TkrIc3
Reposted by We the People Massachusetts
I love how when companies are asked to give the reasons for their political donations they nonchalantly just up front say, “oh, you know, just a little bit of bribery so we don’t get shut out of state contracts.”
June 26, 2025 at 11:53 AM
I love how when companies are asked to give the reasons for their political donations they nonchalantly just up front say, “oh, you know, just a little bit of bribery so we don’t get shut out of state contracts.”