John Pilger reports that, in spite of a history of repeated US-backed…
Priceless
- Description
- Reviews
- Citation
- Cataloging
- Transcript
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PRICELESS examines the growing cost of federal elections, the impact of political campaign fundraising on members of Congress and on policymaking, and the citizen movement to limit the 'undue influence' of large campaign donors.
This non-partisan film includes a look at two national policies - agriculture and energy - shaped by a variety of interests including industry groups, political parties, lobbyists, citizen groups, candidates and officeholders.
The filmmakers also look in on Arizona's pioneering 'clean election' system as a possible alternative to the prevailing model - an optional reform attracting support from members of Congress in both parties. Commentators include elementary school students, 'average' citizens, members of Congress, lobbyists, reform advocates, noted political observers and humorists. Amongst those interviewed are Alan Simpson, Mario Cuomo, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bill Bradley, Lawrence Lessig, Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD), Charlie Stenholm, Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), Rep. Don Young (R-AK), Thom Hartmann, Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Bob Edgar.
'This film is a clear, well-documented and entertaining look at the way small farmers and our food supply are controlled and harmed by large corporations. It also illuminates the political power of corporate money. Big campaign contributions influence legislation affecting us every day, but Priceless offers hope that ordinary citizens can speak up and fight back. I have shown it in classes, and students responded enthusiastically. Everyone should see this film!' Dr. Joan D. Mandle, Executive Director, Democracy Matters, Associate Professor of Sociology, Colgate University
'The film makers have somehow managed to produce a hard hitting, insightful account of the impact of special interest money on electoral politics, yet one that is highly entertaining. It is one of the fastest-paced, most enjoyable, and non-partisan political documentaries I have ever seen...By following the money trail, Priceless pulls back the curtain on how 'the game' is really played and arrives at the inescapable conclusion that special interests and the members of Congress they lobby and fund rarely promote the best interests of 'we the people.' Priceless could hardly be more timely and is a must-see film for any American concerned about the health of our democracy! It is suitable for and will be enjoyed by a wide audience, including high school and college students and a wider, general audience.' Dr. Robert Watson, Professor of American Studies, Lynn University, Author, Campaigns and Elections: Issues, Concepts, Cases and Counting Votes: Lessons from the 2000 Presidential Election in Florida
'Priceless tells the story of the pervasive influence of special interest money on our government in a clear, connect-the-dots way accessible to all audiences. It will be a superb tool in the classroom or meeting room for anyone who wants to educate our citizens about our broken campaign finance system. I know as a former elected official that my time would have been better spent studying issues and talking to my constituents rather than raising campaign funds. What I like best about Priceless is that by describing the Maine and Arizona model of campaign finance reform, a successful, workable solution is offered that would change the way our elected representatives approach domestic and international challenges of today.' Miles Rapoport, President, Demos and The American Prospect, former Secretary of the State of Connecticut
'An excellent and vivid introduction to one of the central challenges facing American democracy: the role of money in politics. Among its many virtues, Priceless makes clear that the American people are paying a large price--in cash and in policies that do not serve the public good--for a system in which our legislators spend an inordinate amount of time raising money for their campaigns and end up beholden to their large contributors. It would be hard to see this film and not conclude that things have to change--and soon.' Alex Keyssar, Professor of History and Social Policy, Chair, Democracy, Politics and Institutions, Harvard University, Author, The Right to Vote: The Contested History of Democracy in the United States
'Priceless is a thought provoking film that explains in an accessible way the impact of campaign contributions on public policy. The most compelling portions of the film are the extraordinarily frank interviews with lobbyists explaining the use of campaign contributions to affect decision-making at the highest levels of government.' Frederick G. Slabach, President, Texas Wesleyan University, Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law, Texas Wesleyan Law School
'Well produced and thoughtfully presented, this program is recommended to viewers interested in reforming our current political system.' Stephen Hupp, West Virginia University, Library Journal
'Examines the dysfunctional system in close detail...An eye-opening presentation especially recommended for high school, college, and public library collections.' The Midwest Book Review
'Priceless is an excellent study of the corrupting influence of money in congressional politics and its negative impact on both domestic and foreign policy...The film skillfully shows how campaign contributions lead to policy choices in Congress. Highly Recommended.' Timothy Kneeland, Nazareth College of Rochester, Educational Media Reviews Online
'This damning expose reveals the hows and whys of bought-off legislators who invariably support the business aims of their mega-industrial donors...disturbing...Highly recommended.' Video Librarian
'Next semester is around the corner and hopefully several of you will be able to put this film to work in your classes...The particular gift of this film is to effectively make the argument that US Agricultural Policy and the twice-a-decade Omnibus Farm Bill take the shape they do (e.g., the favoring of chemically dependent, fruit and vegetable production)...because the chemical and fertilizer companies handsomely reward legislators who support their view...A well-crafted exposition.' Arthur Paris, Syracuse University, The Griot, The Newsletter of the Association of Black Sociologists
Citation
Main credits
Cowan, Steve (film producer)
Cowan, Steve (film director)
Cowan, Steve (screenwriter)
Harrison, Cameron (screenwriter)
Other credits
Editors, Steve Cowan, Cameron Harrison, Barry Schienberg; camera, Barry Schienberg; music, Bruce Zimmerman.
Distributor subjects
Activism; Agriculture; American Democracy; American Studies; Anthropology; Citizenship and Civics; Climate Change/Global Warming; Democracy; Election Systems; Energy; Ethics; Farm and Food Policy; Foreign Policy, US; Government; Health; Political Science; SociologyKeywords
00:00:04.568 --> 00:00:06.571
I think to be elected
president these days
00:00:06.571 --> 00:00:08.841
you need
a lot of money.
00:00:08.841 --> 00:00:10.542
Money and publicity.
00:00:10.542 --> 00:00:12.377
A few thousand dollars.
00:00:12.377 --> 00:00:14.679
Maybe $10,000.
00:00:14.679 --> 00:00:16.048
After giving you money,
00:00:16.048 --> 00:00:18.349
people want you
to do things for them.
00:00:18.349 --> 00:00:19.885
Millions of dollars.
00:00:19.885 --> 00:00:21.619
It has strings attached.
00:00:21.619 --> 00:00:24.423
And now you're gonna have
to pay it all off.
00:00:24.423 --> 00:00:26.124
Yeah, so that's a problem.
00:00:26.124 --> 00:00:29.161
♪
00:00:29.161 --> 00:00:31.429
Every United States senator
wakes up,
00:00:31.429 --> 00:00:35.767
and his first thought is,
"Today I have to raise $20,000,
00:00:35.767 --> 00:00:38.770
"or at the end
of the next election,
00:00:38.770 --> 00:00:40.706
"I won't have a job."
00:00:42.608 --> 00:00:45.277
It costs money
to stay in office.
00:00:45.277 --> 00:00:48.213
Where are you going
to get the money?
00:00:49.715 --> 00:00:52.050
(woman)
Some of the stuff
that happens,
00:00:52.050 --> 00:00:54.453
if people knew about it,
they'd be furious,
00:00:54.453 --> 00:00:56.354
but no one
knows about it.
00:00:56.354 --> 00:00:59.357
(man)
Who stops the health care?
Insurance companies.
00:00:59.357 --> 00:01:00.992
Why?
They're making money.
00:01:00.992 --> 00:01:04.396
Who stops us from coming off oil
to something else?
00:01:04.396 --> 00:01:06.798
The oil companies.
Why? They're getting rich.
00:01:06.798 --> 00:01:09.301
(man)
If money is free speech,
00:01:09.301 --> 00:01:12.670
that means that you
who have $1 million
00:01:12.670 --> 00:01:17.175
and I who have $100
are equal?
00:01:17.175 --> 00:01:19.177
Uh-uh.
00:01:19.177 --> 00:01:24.750
["The Battle Hymn
of the Republic" playing]
00:01:24.750 --> 00:01:28.286
[cash register ringing]
ding, ding
00:01:28.286 --> 00:01:32.257
♪
00:01:32.257 --> 00:01:35.627
(Steve Cowan)
This story is not
about the sea,
00:01:35.627 --> 00:01:37.629
but it began there.
00:01:37.629 --> 00:01:39.631
We were shooting a documentary
00:01:39.631 --> 00:01:42.634
about how too many fish
were being caught,
00:01:42.634 --> 00:01:46.004
despite clear signs that fewer
were left to catch,
00:01:46.004 --> 00:01:48.006
until in many places,
00:01:48.006 --> 00:01:51.043
whole communities
felt the pain.
00:01:51.043 --> 00:01:54.045
Over many seasick days,
we began to realize
00:01:54.045 --> 00:01:56.681
that the disaster
could have been avoided.
00:01:56.681 --> 00:01:59.785
It was one of those things
our government,
00:01:59.785 --> 00:02:03.221
for some reason, was unable
or unwilling to stop.
00:02:03.221 --> 00:02:05.891
We traded in our boat
for a car
00:02:05.891 --> 00:02:08.559
and on the Fourth of July
set out
00:02:08.559 --> 00:02:10.895
to make a new film
about our government
00:02:10.895 --> 00:02:13.498
and citizens who wanted
to do a better job
00:02:13.498 --> 00:02:15.234
for the country they love.
00:02:15.234 --> 00:02:16.601
(woman)
I think we're losing
00:02:16.601 --> 00:02:19.004
the "for the people,
of the people" feel.
00:02:19.004 --> 00:02:22.374
I think the government has
taken it on their own agenda.
00:02:22.374 --> 00:02:25.444
I feel that the common people
has been forgotten.
00:02:25.444 --> 00:02:27.445
We've lost that image
00:02:27.445 --> 00:02:30.949
that people get elected
to serve the public.
00:02:30.949 --> 00:02:33.952
I don't know how
you're gonna change it.
00:02:33.952 --> 00:02:35.587
(man)
If they want to be reelected,
00:02:35.587 --> 00:02:38.290
they have to go to someone
who has the money.
00:02:38.290 --> 00:02:39.925
Money absolutely drives it.
00:02:39.925 --> 00:02:42.127
It's not rocket science,
really.
00:02:42.127 --> 00:02:43.928
[fireworks whistling
and exploding]
00:02:43.928 --> 00:02:45.630
[cheers and applause]
00:02:45.630 --> 00:02:47.399
(Cowan)
So why is it,
00:02:47.399 --> 00:02:50.502
in a country we celebrate
as having a government
00:02:50.502 --> 00:02:52.971
of the people
and for the people,
00:02:52.971 --> 00:02:55.173
that so many Americans
seem concerned
00:02:55.173 --> 00:02:58.543
about the impact of money
on our elected leaders?
00:02:58.543 --> 00:03:02.346
Is it because of some
of the policies they're making
00:03:02.346 --> 00:03:04.349
or a lack of oversight
00:03:04.349 --> 00:03:06.384
that's affecting
our everyday lives?
00:03:06.384 --> 00:03:08.386
(man)
Fresh questions
00:03:08.386 --> 00:03:11.523
about what this nation's banks
have been doing
00:03:11.523 --> 00:03:14.693
with almost $200 billion
in taxpayer bailout money.
00:03:14.693 --> 00:03:19.797
America has the greatest
health care in the world.
00:03:19.797 --> 00:03:22.801
Our financial institutions,
our banks and investment bank,
00:03:22.801 --> 00:03:24.803
are very strong.
00:03:24.803 --> 00:03:26.738
Our markets are resilient.
00:03:26.738 --> 00:03:28.740
The cost of this war
00:03:28.740 --> 00:03:31.676
is at $350 billion
and climbing.
00:03:31.676 --> 00:03:35.079
It's hard for us here
to believe, however,
00:03:35.079 --> 00:03:39.684
persons who have recently died
have been returning to life.
00:03:39.684 --> 00:03:42.821
(Cowan)
OK, that zombie thing
hasn't happened...yet.
00:03:42.821 --> 00:03:44.388
[thunder]
00:03:44.388 --> 00:03:46.391
But given the major mishaps
00:03:46.391 --> 00:03:48.593
our government has let happen
or ignored
00:03:48.593 --> 00:03:50.728
or funded
with our tax dollars,
00:03:50.728 --> 00:03:53.231
maybe this is why
every election year
00:03:53.231 --> 00:03:55.701
many of us
vote for the candidate
00:03:55.701 --> 00:03:57.703
who will promise
the most change.
00:03:57.703 --> 00:04:00.238
(Barack Obama) We're gonna change
the country and change the world.
00:04:00.238 --> 00:04:02.307
(Cowan)
Can any one officeholder,
00:04:02.307 --> 00:04:04.809
with the way things work
or don't work
00:04:04.809 --> 00:04:06.544
in Washington, D.C.,
00:04:06.544 --> 00:04:08.546
make good on the promise
00:04:08.546 --> 00:04:10.548
to represent
ordinary Americans?
00:04:10.548 --> 00:04:13.184
If money really is
the changer stopper,
00:04:13.184 --> 00:04:15.520
how exactly does that happen?
00:04:17.388 --> 00:04:21.893
So we set out on the road
to follow the money trail--
00:04:21.893 --> 00:04:24.162
not through
all our national policies,
00:04:24.162 --> 00:04:26.498
just two
people experience every day--
00:04:26.498 --> 00:04:28.500
to find out
00:04:28.500 --> 00:04:31.335
who our government's
really working for.
00:04:31.335 --> 00:04:33.672
And if not "we, the people,"
00:04:33.672 --> 00:04:36.608
what can be done
to take it back?
00:04:41.012 --> 00:04:42.948
[scanner beeps]
00:04:45.149 --> 00:04:47.452
Why would our search
for answers
00:04:47.452 --> 00:04:49.454
begin in a supermarket?
00:04:49.454 --> 00:04:52.090
Before getting into energy
or foreign policy,
00:04:52.090 --> 00:04:54.092
we thought
we'd start simple.
00:04:54.092 --> 00:04:56.728
The need for healthy food
is basic,
00:04:56.728 --> 00:04:58.596
and we don't usually think
00:04:58.596 --> 00:05:00.865
of whether
it's wholesome or not
00:05:00.865 --> 00:05:03.535
as being affected
by money in politics.
00:05:04.736 --> 00:05:07.338
Where does food come from?
00:05:07.338 --> 00:05:10.542
Food comes from the sun.
00:05:12.076 --> 00:05:13.644
♪ When I go
to see my grandma ♪
00:05:13.644 --> 00:05:15.046
♪ I gain a lot of weight ♪
00:05:15.046 --> 00:05:16.314
♪ With her dear hands ♪
00:05:16.314 --> 00:05:17.849
♪ she gives me
plate after plate ♪
00:05:17.849 --> 00:05:19.317
♪ She cans the pickles... ♪
00:05:19.317 --> 00:05:21.953
(man) America, when they
think of farms,
00:05:21.953 --> 00:05:24.655
they think of a mother
and a father,
00:05:24.655 --> 00:05:27.058
a dog, a pig,
and a goat,
00:05:27.058 --> 00:05:30.762
and that Golden Book view
of farming is a good view.
00:05:30.762 --> 00:05:32.497
But the '50s and '60s
00:05:32.497 --> 00:05:34.866
is when we had
a chemical revolution,
00:05:34.866 --> 00:05:37.335
and, boy,
did it make life easy.
00:05:37.335 --> 00:05:39.337
We weren't out hoeing.
00:05:39.337 --> 00:05:41.606
There was a chemical
for everything.
00:05:41.606 --> 00:05:44.242
It was the modern way to farm.
00:05:44.242 --> 00:05:49.647
But then my son got very ill,
and we didn't know what it was.
00:05:49.647 --> 00:05:51.917
The doctor said,
"Well, he's anemic."
00:05:51.917 --> 00:05:54.185
But actually
it was a precursor.
00:05:54.185 --> 00:05:57.189
Anemia is a precursor
a lot of times
00:05:57.189 --> 00:05:59.190
of leukemia, cancer.
00:05:59.190 --> 00:06:02.494
Then we discovered
that the water we were using
00:06:02.494 --> 00:06:04.329
was filled
with this pesticide.
00:06:04.329 --> 00:06:06.965
It wasn't one
that we were using,
00:06:06.965 --> 00:06:10.335
but it was one that
surrounding farms were using.
00:06:10.335 --> 00:06:12.604
(Cowan)
No matter where we traveled
00:06:12.604 --> 00:06:14.171
in California's
Central Valley--
00:06:14.171 --> 00:06:17.108
often called our nation's
fruit and vegetable basket--
00:06:17.108 --> 00:06:20.879
we were surrounded by crops
being sprayed with all sorts
00:06:20.879 --> 00:06:23.748
of insecticides, herbicides,
and fungicides.
00:06:23.748 --> 00:06:25.617
According to the state's
00:06:25.617 --> 00:06:27.619
Department
of Pesticide Regulation,
00:06:27.619 --> 00:06:30.288
over 100 million pounds
of these chemicals,
00:06:30.288 --> 00:06:32.290
many extremely toxic,
00:06:32.290 --> 00:06:36.461
are used each year
in the Central Valley alone.
00:06:39.430 --> 00:06:42.433
Because a lot of these
pesticides are known
00:06:42.433 --> 00:06:44.435
to get into surface water,
00:06:44.435 --> 00:06:46.437
underground aquifers,
and well water,
00:06:46.437 --> 00:06:50.308
we wondered if our government
is aware of the danger.
00:06:50.308 --> 00:06:52.377
♪
00:06:52.377 --> 00:06:55.947
(woman) We not only produce
an abundant food supply,
00:06:55.947 --> 00:06:58.950
we produce
a safe and affordable,
00:06:58.950 --> 00:07:02.854
the lowest per capita
of any other developed nation.
00:07:02.854 --> 00:07:06.057
The American food system
is completely safe.
00:07:06.057 --> 00:07:09.427
With many checks and balances
built into our system,
00:07:09.427 --> 00:07:11.429
it is completely safe.
00:07:11.429 --> 00:07:13.698
Our food supply
is completely safe.
00:07:13.698 --> 00:07:15.967
The most stable,
the most abundant,
00:07:15.967 --> 00:07:18.970
the safest, the most affordable
food and fiber
00:07:18.970 --> 00:07:21.673
of any country
in the world.
00:07:21.673 --> 00:07:24.675
(man) Agriculture is going
in a good direction.
00:07:24.675 --> 00:07:27.312
We have
the most abundant food supply,
00:07:27.312 --> 00:07:30.649
the best quality of food,
the safest food supply
00:07:30.649 --> 00:07:33.284
at the lowest cost
to our people.
00:07:33.284 --> 00:07:35.654
(Cowan) Charlie Stenholm
is a former member
00:07:35.654 --> 00:07:37.655
of the House
Agriculture Committee
00:07:37.655 --> 00:07:39.924
who agrees
with his former colleagues
00:07:39.924 --> 00:07:43.695
that all's well with our
nation's food and farm policy.
00:07:43.695 --> 00:07:46.164
He's now one of many lobbyists
00:07:46.164 --> 00:07:49.233
paid directly
by the agribusiness sector,
00:07:49.233 --> 00:07:51.436
which includes
the pesticide industry...
00:07:51.436 --> 00:07:55.574
At times, our industry
finds itself in disagreement
00:07:55.574 --> 00:07:57.342
with regulators.
00:07:57.342 --> 00:07:59.610
(Cowan) And the chemical
fertilizer industry.
00:07:59.610 --> 00:08:02.413
We're here to celebrate
the great harvest
00:08:02.413 --> 00:08:05.717
that's going on in our country
in agriculture.
00:08:05.717 --> 00:08:07.719
(Cowan) Along with pesticides,
00:08:07.719 --> 00:08:09.720
the chemical fertilizer
00:08:09.720 --> 00:08:12.123
being so well represented
on Capitol Hill
00:08:12.123 --> 00:08:14.592
is selling bigger than ever
these days
00:08:14.592 --> 00:08:17.228
to grow millions of acres
of corn,
00:08:17.228 --> 00:08:20.231
another crop being heavily
subsidized by our government
00:08:20.231 --> 00:08:22.867
along with the new
corn ethanol industry
00:08:22.867 --> 00:08:25.870
that makes fuel
from the grain.
00:08:25.870 --> 00:08:28.406
The problem is,
the excess nitrogen,
00:08:28.406 --> 00:08:30.408
along with
all the pesticides,
00:08:30.408 --> 00:08:32.410
contaminates
underground aquifers
00:08:32.410 --> 00:08:34.712
and eventually
flows to the sea,
00:08:34.712 --> 00:08:37.382
creating what
the U .S. Geological Survey
00:08:37.382 --> 00:08:41.152
describes as
an 8,000-square-mile dead zon.
00:08:43.054 --> 00:08:46.824
(woman)
I was doing a program
for elementary school kids,
00:08:46.824 --> 00:08:49.661
telling them what
a wonderful job we were doing
00:08:49.661 --> 00:08:51.529
raising
our commodity agriculture,
00:08:51.529 --> 00:08:53.397
how we treated the land.
00:08:53.397 --> 00:08:55.733
I had a field trip out here,
00:08:55.733 --> 00:08:59.737
and a boy knelt down by a stream
and started to get a drink.
00:08:59.737 --> 00:09:01.739
I said, "Don't drink that."
00:09:01.739 --> 00:09:05.076
That was a moment of truth
for me,
00:09:05.076 --> 00:09:08.579
that I was basically lying
to these kids,
00:09:08.579 --> 00:09:13.451
because if I was farming my land
the way it should be farmed,
00:09:13.451 --> 00:09:16.021
the water wouldn't be polluted.
00:09:17.922 --> 00:09:21.292
(man) My dad died of cancer,
63 years old,
00:09:21.292 --> 00:09:23.294
from the chemicals.
00:09:23.294 --> 00:09:25.597
If you had a bunch of people
00:09:25.597 --> 00:09:28.432
that say it's good
to jump off a cliff,
00:09:28.432 --> 00:09:31.068
I think they'd all
jump off a cliff.
00:09:31.068 --> 00:09:33.538
And if they say,
"Use this chemical."
00:09:33.538 --> 00:09:35.807
This is good,
this'll do it.
00:09:35.807 --> 00:09:38.509
But it all goes
to one place--
00:09:38.509 --> 00:09:40.445
into your wells,
00:09:40.445 --> 00:09:44.149
or it goes down the rivers,
in your drinking water.
00:09:45.850 --> 00:09:48.520
(Cowan)
It didn't take us long to lean
00:09:48.520 --> 00:09:50.855
that farmers growing
the so-called commodity crops,
00:09:50.855 --> 00:09:52.857
like cotton, corn,
and soybeans,
00:09:52.857 --> 00:09:56.227
get a very big hunk
of our tax dollars
00:09:56.227 --> 00:09:58.697
to help them operate this way.
00:10:00.664 --> 00:10:02.700
[car honk honks]
00:10:02.700 --> 00:10:05.436
♪
00:10:05.436 --> 00:10:07.438
Along with throwing parties--
00:10:07.438 --> 00:10:11.576
at times in this very chamber
where farm policy is made--
00:10:11.576 --> 00:10:13.844
lobbyists raise and distribute
campaign funds
00:10:13.844 --> 00:10:16.481
for many of the policy makers
themselves,
00:10:16.481 --> 00:10:18.749
money that comes
from industry executives
00:10:18.749 --> 00:10:20.785
and their political action
committees,
00:10:20.785 --> 00:10:22.053
known as PACs.
00:10:22.053 --> 00:10:24.055
Yes, we participate
in everything
00:10:24.055 --> 00:10:27.425
that's legal for us
to participate in, you know?
00:10:27.425 --> 00:10:29.527
Uh, we have a PAC.
00:10:29.527 --> 00:10:31.262
A number of our staff
00:10:31.262 --> 00:10:33.264
are registered
federal lobbyists.
00:10:33.264 --> 00:10:36.000
We'll organize a fund-raiser
for member X.
00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:38.068
We operate
a political action committee.
00:10:38.068 --> 00:10:40.338
We'll ask
the various agricultural groups
00:10:40.338 --> 00:10:42.440
to make contributions.
00:10:42.440 --> 00:10:44.509
We try to earn
a seat at the table.
00:10:44.509 --> 00:10:46.077
Blocking and tackling.
00:10:46.077 --> 00:10:49.180
You got to play
by the rules.
00:10:49.180 --> 00:10:51.082
The hardcore work
of lobbying.
00:10:51.082 --> 00:10:53.684
It's our system.
00:10:53.684 --> 00:10:56.854
(man) There's an ancient,
ancient art form of that.
00:10:56.854 --> 00:10:58.856
It's called whoring.
00:10:58.856 --> 00:11:00.891
It is disgusting
to watch.
00:11:00.891 --> 00:11:03.260
It's just
a scorekeeping exercise.
00:11:03.260 --> 00:11:06.631
You see the people
who gave you the money.
00:11:06.631 --> 00:11:08.966
In comes Joe, you know,
heavy hitter,
00:11:08.966 --> 00:11:12.136
and they say, "This guy
has maxed out on you.
00:11:12.136 --> 00:11:14.371
"He maxed out
in your first primary,
00:11:14.371 --> 00:11:16.641
"your first general,
your second primary."
00:11:16.641 --> 00:11:21.279
He and his wife and his children
are all in the game.
00:11:21.279 --> 00:11:24.115
You see them.
You really do see them.
00:11:24.115 --> 00:11:26.117
(man) What do they get?
00:11:26.117 --> 00:11:28.185
At least they get access.
00:11:28.185 --> 00:11:30.187
In Washington,
access is everything.
00:11:30.187 --> 00:11:32.691
This is almost extortion
or implicit extortion,
00:11:32.691 --> 00:11:34.859
where the government
turns to the private person,
00:11:34.859 --> 00:11:36.193
whom he's regulating,
00:11:36.193 --> 00:11:38.229
and says, "Help me
get into office."
00:11:38.229 --> 00:11:41.499
And, in some sense,
the private person likes that,
00:11:41.499 --> 00:11:43.767
'cause he likes
having the favor
00:11:43.767 --> 00:11:46.771
that he can cash in on
later on.
00:11:46.771 --> 00:11:49.807
(Cowan) Who receives the
campaign mony from agribusiness?
00:11:49.807 --> 00:11:52.276
I'm the chairman
of the subcommittee...
00:11:52.276 --> 00:11:54.912
(Cowan) According to the
Federal Election Commission,
00:11:54.912 --> 00:11:56.781
those who get the most
00:11:56.781 --> 00:11:59.049
tend to sit
on powerful committees
00:11:59.049 --> 00:12:01.352
that decide
what kind of agriculture
00:12:01.352 --> 00:12:02.987
our tax dollars support,
00:12:02.987 --> 00:12:04.856
like members
of appropriation committees
00:12:04.856 --> 00:12:07.192
and the congressional
agriculture committees.
00:12:07.192 --> 00:12:10.995
And why do they get big money
from giant companies
00:12:10.995 --> 00:12:14.332
that sell pesticides
and chemical fertilizer?
00:12:15.766 --> 00:12:18.569
We decided to check back
with Charlie Stenholm.
00:12:18.569 --> 00:12:20.305
He had the all-time record
00:12:20.305 --> 00:12:23.308
for taking agribusiness cash
when he was in office.
00:12:23.308 --> 00:12:26.311
(Stenholm) Why do members
of the Ag Committee
00:12:26.311 --> 00:12:27.444
receive the contributions?
00:12:27.444 --> 00:12:29.947
That's a very simple question.
00:12:29.947 --> 00:12:33.885
Because the Ag Committee
is where the decisions are made
00:12:33.885 --> 00:12:38.990
that affect the livelihood
of producers and consumers.
00:12:38.990 --> 00:12:39.791
♪ I like to eat ♪
00:12:39.791 --> 00:12:40.858
♪ I like to eat ♪
00:12:40.858 --> 00:12:42.693
♪ I like to eat ♪
00:12:42.693 --> 00:12:46.164
(Cowan) We thought we should check
with some consumer advocates
00:12:46.164 --> 00:12:47.899
that aren't funded
by agribusiness.
00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:50.167
(man)
We started off doing studies
00:12:50.167 --> 00:12:52.436
of pesticides
and other toxic chemicals
00:12:52.436 --> 00:12:54.705
in air, in food, in water.
00:12:54.705 --> 00:12:57.909
It occurred to us one day,
"Maybe we should test people."
00:12:57.909 --> 00:13:00.845
We started doing those tests,
and we're finding
00:13:00.845 --> 00:13:02.713
this incredible mixture
of chemicals,
00:13:02.713 --> 00:13:04.382
including pesticides,
in all of us.
00:13:04.382 --> 00:13:07.117
We found exposures
to babies in the womb.
00:13:07.117 --> 00:13:09.754
The U.S. EPA
is very aware
00:13:09.754 --> 00:13:12.390
that some pesticides
used on farm fields
00:13:12.390 --> 00:13:14.158
end up in the crops
00:13:14.158 --> 00:13:17.361
and in the food
that comes to our table.
00:13:17.361 --> 00:13:19.196
(Cook) Large percentages
of the produce
00:13:19.196 --> 00:13:21.065
we buy in the grocery store
00:13:21.065 --> 00:13:23.901
have low levels
of pesticide residue on them,
00:13:23.901 --> 00:13:25.369
in combination.
00:13:25.369 --> 00:13:28.405
There might be
a half a dozen or more
00:13:28.405 --> 00:13:30.541
on a single serving
of salad.
00:13:30.541 --> 00:13:31.975
The problem is that EPA
00:13:31.975 --> 00:13:34.245
doesn't consider this
in its assessments.
00:13:34.245 --> 00:13:35.913
We don't know very much
00:13:35.913 --> 00:13:38.582
about how these mixtures act
in our body
00:13:38.582 --> 00:13:40.118
when they're all together.
00:13:40.118 --> 00:13:44.588
What we do know is that when
we are exposed to mixtures,
00:13:44.588 --> 00:13:47.291
they're far more toxic
to our bodies,
00:13:47.291 --> 00:13:50.194
possibly because
we're simply overloaded.
00:13:50.194 --> 00:13:52.196
Less than half of 1%
00:13:52.196 --> 00:13:54.832
of all the farmland
in this country
00:13:54.832 --> 00:13:58.202
is producing crops and livestock
organically, half of 1%.
00:13:58.202 --> 00:14:00.204
We invest almost nothing
00:14:00.204 --> 00:14:03.575
in helping farmers transition
from conventional to organic.
00:14:06.711 --> 00:14:08.713
(Cowan) Could the tiny percentage
00:14:08.713 --> 00:14:10.981
of U.S. farmland
growing organic
00:14:10.981 --> 00:14:12.183
have anything to do
00:14:12.183 --> 00:14:14.351
with the higher price
of this food?
00:14:14.351 --> 00:14:17.222
We thought we should get
a businessman's point of view.
00:14:17.222 --> 00:14:19.190
(man) Absolutely there's a correlation
00:14:19.190 --> 00:14:21.826
between greater volume
and price coming down.
00:14:21.826 --> 00:14:24.462
With organic milk,
it used to be
00:14:24.462 --> 00:14:26.330
100% more expensive
than conventional.
00:14:26.330 --> 00:14:29.199
Now it's more like
35% or 40%.
00:14:29.199 --> 00:14:31.435
♪
00:14:31.435 --> 00:14:34.438
(Stenholm) I don't believe
it would be possible
00:14:34.438 --> 00:14:36.440
to feed the world
organically.
00:14:36.440 --> 00:14:38.443
2 billion people
would be starving
00:14:38.443 --> 00:14:40.044
or have to go away.
00:14:40.044 --> 00:14:43.047
We would quickly become
a net food importer
00:14:43.047 --> 00:14:45.082
in the United States.
00:14:45.082 --> 00:14:47.185
[machine whirring]
00:14:47.185 --> 00:14:49.454
(Cowan) The idea
that organic agriculture
00:14:49.454 --> 00:14:51.455
can't produce enough food
00:14:51.455 --> 00:14:54.458
sounded sort of scientific
coming from these lobbyists.
00:14:54.458 --> 00:14:57.494
So we thought
we'd visit a few farms.
00:14:57.494 --> 00:15:02.400
♪
00:15:02.400 --> 00:15:05.736
(woman) Our plants get
a more balanced diet.
00:15:05.736 --> 00:15:07.738
We have cover crops--
00:15:07.738 --> 00:15:10.374
crops that we grow
for the soil.
00:15:10.374 --> 00:15:13.344
And with
a lot of different plants
00:15:13.344 --> 00:15:15.346
growing in the same field,
00:15:15.346 --> 00:15:18.716
the pests don't really
build up in their populations
00:15:18.716 --> 00:15:23.221
as much as they would
if it were 300 acres of spinach.
00:15:23.221 --> 00:15:27.825
(man) Right now, our yields
are meeting the county averages,
00:15:27.825 --> 00:15:31.963
and if we had proper
seed breeding for organics,
00:15:31.963 --> 00:15:33.965
we like to think
00:15:33.965 --> 00:15:36.734
that we would even exceed
those averages.
00:15:36.734 --> 00:15:39.736
(woman) We've shown in our
research at Iowa State University
00:15:39.736 --> 00:15:41.839
that you can get equal
or higher yields
00:15:41.839 --> 00:15:43.541
in organic production.
00:15:43.541 --> 00:15:46.143
We don't use herbicides,
so we don't have a concern
00:15:46.143 --> 00:15:48.412
about herbicides
getting into the groundwater
00:15:48.412 --> 00:15:50.414
in organic production.
00:15:50.414 --> 00:15:52.950
(Cowan) The more time we spent
around this kind of farming,
00:15:52.950 --> 00:15:54.418
the more we wondered
00:15:54.418 --> 00:15:57.321
what our government
might be doing to encourage i.
00:15:57.321 --> 00:15:59.590
Not only is organic food
expensive,
00:15:59.590 --> 00:16:02.092
but many of the conventional
farmers we met,
00:16:02.092 --> 00:16:03.493
like Jim Kalbach,
00:16:03.493 --> 00:16:05.996
would also like
to use less chemicals,
00:16:05.996 --> 00:16:07.498
but there's a catch.
00:16:07.498 --> 00:16:09.500
(Kalbach) You just can't say,
00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:12.135
"I'm gonna go
to organic next year."
00:16:12.135 --> 00:16:15.173
It takes years
to get geared for that.
00:16:15.173 --> 00:16:19.476
It's just so much easier
to put the chemicals on.
00:16:19.476 --> 00:16:22.847
(Cowan) So it takes some different
gear and new research,
00:16:22.847 --> 00:16:25.216
but with the billions
of tax dollars
00:16:25.216 --> 00:16:26.684
we spend on agriculture
00:16:26.684 --> 00:16:29.187
and all the farmers
who'd like to make the switch,
00:16:29.187 --> 00:16:31.355
shouldn't we be
helping them make it?
00:16:31.355 --> 00:16:34.725
(man #1) Mr. Chairman,
I rise to offer an amendment
00:16:34.725 --> 00:16:37.395
that will increase funding
for organic transitions.
00:16:37.395 --> 00:16:40.097
The research
to assist the farmers
00:16:40.097 --> 00:16:43.501
has been holding steady
at just under $2 million
00:16:43.501 --> 00:16:45.770
for the last several
fiscal years.
00:16:45.770 --> 00:16:48.839
(man #2) I rise in opposition
to the amendment.
00:16:48.839 --> 00:16:50.274
The amendment
proposes to increase
00:16:50.274 --> 00:16:53.544
the Organic Transitions Program
by over $3 million.
00:16:53.544 --> 00:16:57.347
(Cowan) Maybe these politicians
are just trying to save money,
00:16:57.347 --> 00:16:59.683
but it seems like
$3 million,
00:16:59.683 --> 00:17:01.852
compared to the subsidies
they give each year
00:17:01.852 --> 00:17:03.921
for commodity crops,
00:17:03.921 --> 00:17:05.923
is not a lot.
00:17:05.923 --> 00:17:07.524
(Cook) There's a lot of money
00:17:07.524 --> 00:17:09.426
to be made
in the pesticide business.
00:17:09.426 --> 00:17:11.762
These pesticide companies
push back very hard
00:17:11.762 --> 00:17:13.230
when there's any attempt
00:17:13.230 --> 00:17:15.600
to limit the use
of these chemicals.
00:17:17.835 --> 00:17:19.837
(Cowan) The bigger the farm,
00:17:19.837 --> 00:17:21.839
the more commodities
you can grow.
00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:23.841
The more commodities
you grow,
00:17:23.841 --> 00:17:26.110
the bigger
the government subsidy check.
00:17:26.110 --> 00:17:28.012
And the bigger
the subsidies,
00:17:28.012 --> 00:17:30.347
the more pesticides
and chemical fertilizer
00:17:30.347 --> 00:17:31.982
gets sold.
00:17:31.982 --> 00:17:33.484
It helped us
understand the game,
00:17:33.484 --> 00:17:35.886
but not all the growers
are happy with it.
00:17:35.886 --> 00:17:40.158
The more you farm, you can't pay
as much attention to every acre.
00:17:40.158 --> 00:17:42.593
(woman) You don't have time
to pick the sprayer up
00:17:42.593 --> 00:17:44.361
as you go through
the waterways,
00:17:44.361 --> 00:17:46.697
and pretty soon
your waterways are dead.
00:17:46.697 --> 00:17:51.068
This is what they pay us for,
so we do this.
00:17:51.068 --> 00:17:54.805
(Cowan) So what is it
about this type of agriculture,
00:17:54.805 --> 00:17:56.807
the world's
most chemical-intensive,
00:17:56.807 --> 00:17:59.310
that appeals so much
to our government?
00:17:59.310 --> 00:18:01.712
(Cook) In fairness to them,
they want to defend
00:18:01.712 --> 00:18:03.547
the interests
of their constituents.
00:18:03.547 --> 00:18:06.850
That may be a chemical company,
it may be a farmer.
00:18:06.850 --> 00:18:08.852
Another factor is money.
00:18:08.852 --> 00:18:12.623
What they need to survive
in our political system
00:18:12.623 --> 00:18:14.625
is campaign contributions.
00:18:14.625 --> 00:18:16.627
A good source of money
00:18:16.627 --> 00:18:18.963
is a pesticide industry
representative.
00:18:18.963 --> 00:18:22.733
(Blanche Lincoln) Our farm policy
seeks to do one thing
00:18:22.733 --> 00:18:24.735
for all of our farmers--
00:18:24.735 --> 00:18:27.371
to provide for those producers
of commodities
00:18:27.371 --> 00:18:30.373
a strong level of support,
a safety net.
00:18:30.373 --> 00:18:32.376
(Cowan) In 2006 and 2008,
00:18:32.376 --> 00:18:35.412
members of the House and Senae
Agriculture Committees
00:18:35.412 --> 00:18:38.082
received over $25 million
in campaign contributions
00:18:38.082 --> 00:18:40.084
from agribusiness,
00:18:40.084 --> 00:18:42.086
a good part of which
00:18:42.086 --> 00:18:44.622
came from the pesticide
and fertilizer industries.
00:18:44.622 --> 00:18:47.524
When I first got here,
I had to try to raise money.
00:18:47.524 --> 00:18:49.327
Now the money just comes in.
00:18:49.327 --> 00:18:51.695
I don't know
where it comes from.
00:18:51.695 --> 00:18:54.999
It goes to my treasurer.
I don't worry about it.
00:18:54.999 --> 00:18:58.102
(Lessig) We're not dealing
with evil people.
00:18:58.102 --> 00:19:00.337
They're doing
really hard work,
00:19:00.337 --> 00:19:03.441
and they think they're doing
the public's good.
00:19:03.441 --> 00:19:05.209
But the reality is,
00:19:05.209 --> 00:19:08.212
because they have to focus
themselves on money,
00:19:08.212 --> 00:19:10.214
the work is distorted.
00:19:10.214 --> 00:19:12.850
So overall
the system becomes corrupt.
00:19:12.850 --> 00:19:14.685
[mouse clicks]
00:19:14.685 --> 00:19:17.421
(Cowan) Any member of Congress
who needs reminding
00:19:17.421 --> 00:19:19.857
of where their campaign money
comes from
00:19:19.857 --> 00:19:22.159
could just go
to the Internet.
00:19:22.159 --> 00:19:25.863
(woman) OpenSecrets.org
is nonpartisan.
00:19:25.863 --> 00:19:28.499
You can get
at the transaction-level detal
00:19:28.499 --> 00:19:30.000
on members of Congress,
00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:31.902
on the industries
and interest groups
00:19:31.902 --> 00:19:33.770
that fund campaigns,
00:19:33.770 --> 00:19:35.772
so that you can really take
00:19:35.772 --> 00:19:38.042
that bird's-eye view
if you want,
00:19:38.042 --> 00:19:41.044
or you can get
into the nitty-gritty detail.
00:19:41.044 --> 00:19:44.048
We want our data
to be absolutely reliable,
00:19:44.048 --> 00:19:46.316
no matter
what your political stripes.
00:19:46.316 --> 00:19:48.318
It's important
that people understand
00:19:48.318 --> 00:19:50.955
how money greases the skids
in Washington,
00:19:50.955 --> 00:19:52.589
because it does.
00:19:52.589 --> 00:19:55.960
(man) It's the big forces
that are beating us.
00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:58.228
They elect people
with their money.
00:19:58.228 --> 00:20:01.799
They help them in office
with their lobbying.
00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:04.402
And therefore
they get advantages
00:20:04.402 --> 00:20:07.738
that the rest of the people
don't get.
00:20:07.738 --> 00:20:10.841
(Griffeon) We would like to do
the right thing,
00:20:10.841 --> 00:20:13.911
but we're not subsidized
to do the right thing.
00:20:13.911 --> 00:20:16.480
We've taken the culture
out of agriculture.
00:20:18.616 --> 00:20:23.253
[man singing opera]
00:20:23.253 --> 00:20:26.723
♪
00:20:26.723 --> 00:20:28.992
(Cowan) Where does energy
come from?
00:20:28.992 --> 00:20:30.995
I've noticed that
sometimes--
00:20:30.995 --> 00:20:34.031
it might come
from the wires partly, though,
00:20:34.031 --> 00:20:36.667
because the wires,
they connect to buildings,
00:20:36.667 --> 00:20:39.369
and therefore, it works.
00:20:39.369 --> 00:20:46.910
♪
00:20:46.910 --> 00:20:48.913
(Cowan) After food and water,
00:20:48.913 --> 00:20:52.649
we figured energy is probably
our next most basic need,
00:20:52.649 --> 00:20:56.153
so we decided to track down
a group of citizens
00:20:56.153 --> 00:21:00.324
with a unique point of view
on our nation's energy policy.
00:21:00.324 --> 00:21:01.992
(man) Good morning,
ladies and gentlemen.
00:21:01.992 --> 00:21:03.393
Welcome to another edition
00:21:03.393 --> 00:21:04.795
of Veterans' Views
radio program.
00:21:04.795 --> 00:21:06.797
This is
Commander Pat O'Donnell,
00:21:06.797 --> 00:21:10.167
and we have our guests today
from Operation Free.
00:21:10.167 --> 00:21:12.436
That's the bus
that travels around.
00:21:12.436 --> 00:21:16.140
You'd like to tell us
a little bit about it?
00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:18.776
(woman) Yeah.
It's a group of veterans.
00:21:18.776 --> 00:21:20.644
We volunteered
to come together,
00:21:20.644 --> 00:21:23.714
get on this big blue RV,
travel around,
00:21:23.714 --> 00:21:27.284
and kind of educate people
on our energy policy,
00:21:27.284 --> 00:21:29.286
national security,
and climate change.
00:21:29.286 --> 00:21:32.623
(man) I'm not sure that
any one issue effects me
00:21:32.623 --> 00:21:34.624
more than our energy policy.
00:21:34.624 --> 00:21:37.027
It is directly related
to our national security
00:21:37.027 --> 00:21:39.897
and our men and women
in the military.
00:21:39.897 --> 00:21:43.100
I don't have children,
but my friends do.
00:21:43.100 --> 00:21:45.735
I don't want
to see their children
00:21:45.735 --> 00:21:47.638
have to go somewhere else
00:21:47.638 --> 00:21:51.041
and possibly get blown up
and get shot at
00:21:51.041 --> 00:21:54.044
for stuff that
we could have solved today.
00:21:54.044 --> 00:21:57.047
(man) I was a vehicle commander
in Iraq,
00:21:57.047 --> 00:22:00.050
and one night,
they got a distress call
00:22:00.050 --> 00:22:03.120
from a convoy
that had just been hit
00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:05.923
by a liquid-napalm-style IED.
00:22:05.923 --> 00:22:08.425
Those guys
were just devastated.
00:22:08.425 --> 00:22:10.761
You know,
it's not worth it,
00:22:10.761 --> 00:22:14.564
when you're talking
about diesel fuel or gasoline.
00:22:14.564 --> 00:22:16.567
It's not worth it.
00:22:16.567 --> 00:22:20.337
You know,
those guys lost lives,
00:22:20.337 --> 00:22:23.707
friends, loved ones
for that.
00:22:23.707 --> 00:22:26.276
(Victoriano)
Going back to Iraq in 2003,
00:22:26.276 --> 00:22:28.545
it's hard to say right now
00:22:28.545 --> 00:22:31.181
what the motivation
truly was for that,
00:22:31.181 --> 00:22:34.251
but we get
close to 60% of our oil,
00:22:34.251 --> 00:22:37.621
which we depend upon
for our way of life,
00:22:37.621 --> 00:22:39.623
from overseas,
00:22:39.623 --> 00:22:42.293
countries who we know
directly support extremists.
00:22:42.293 --> 00:22:46.097
The fact that we're funding
both sides of a war
00:22:46.097 --> 00:22:48.599
is completely...
00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:50.601
It confounds me.
00:22:50.601 --> 00:22:53.604
(man) I don't think
you can ever say
00:22:53.604 --> 00:22:56.306
that any conflict
is about one thing,
00:22:56.306 --> 00:22:58.675
particularly something
as intense as Iraq.
00:22:58.675 --> 00:23:01.678
That said, if you
were to have taken
00:23:01.678 --> 00:23:04.748
the appropriations
that have gone into the war
00:23:04.748 --> 00:23:07.417
and instead went
to renewable energy,
00:23:07.417 --> 00:23:09.420
we could have covered
00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:11.589
all the needed
global investments
00:23:11.589 --> 00:23:13.590
in renewable energy
00:23:13.590 --> 00:23:16.761
to combat climate change
between now and 2030.
00:23:16.761 --> 00:23:18.362
[helicopter]
00:23:18.362 --> 00:23:21.165
(Cowan) Nearly all
our elected representatives
00:23:21.165 --> 00:23:24.534
tend to agree on the need
for energy independence.
00:23:24.534 --> 00:23:27.203
The debate
is over how to produce
00:23:27.203 --> 00:23:29.206
this homegrown energy.
00:23:29.206 --> 00:23:32.976
(Kretzman) What we have in this
country doesn't begin to resemble
00:23:32.976 --> 00:23:36.046
what you would design
for a rational energy path.
00:23:36.046 --> 00:23:38.315
What we have in this country
00:23:38.315 --> 00:23:41.385
is a complete hodgepodge
of accommodations
00:23:41.385 --> 00:23:43.720
to a variety
of special interests
00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:46.056
that politicians
are afraid of offending
00:23:46.056 --> 00:23:49.359
and whose support they need
to get reelected.
00:23:49.359 --> 00:23:51.528
(Cowan)
We weren't surprised to learn
00:23:51.528 --> 00:23:53.831
that members of Congress
in both parties
00:23:53.831 --> 00:23:55.832
accept large
campaign contributions
00:23:55.832 --> 00:23:57.801
from the fossil fuel
industries,
00:23:57.801 --> 00:23:59.570
but we wondered
what the industries
00:23:59.570 --> 00:24:02.072
might expect as a return
on their investment.
00:24:02.072 --> 00:24:03.874
(woman)
Taxpayers for Common Sense
00:24:03.874 --> 00:24:05.609
is a nonpartisan
budget watchdog.
00:24:05.609 --> 00:24:07.611
We look
for wasteful spending,
00:24:07.611 --> 00:24:10.247
especially for wasteful spending
that's also harmful
00:24:10.247 --> 00:24:12.883
or that shows
corruption in the system.
00:24:12.883 --> 00:24:14.885
We work from the premise
00:24:14.885 --> 00:24:17.154
that nobody wants
their money wasted.
00:24:17.154 --> 00:24:19.156
The coal industry--
00:24:19.156 --> 00:24:21.858
particularly right now
because of climate legislation,
00:24:21.858 --> 00:24:24.561
because there's a desire
in the public
00:24:24.561 --> 00:24:27.464
to kind of have
cleaner energy--
00:24:27.464 --> 00:24:30.834
the coal industry
is spending a ton of money,
00:24:30.834 --> 00:24:33.103
and they get benefits
in return.
00:24:33.103 --> 00:24:35.105
There's tax credits
and subsidies
00:24:35.105 --> 00:24:37.107
riddled throughout
their business model,
00:24:37.107 --> 00:24:39.576
and that's something
that they depend on.
00:24:39.576 --> 00:24:41.578
They get a lot of subsidies.
00:24:41.578 --> 00:24:45.515
There's a lot of public money
going into producing coal.
00:24:45.515 --> 00:24:47.517
(Cowan) Open Secrets shows
00:24:47.517 --> 00:24:51.288
that the oil and gas industry
also invests big money
00:24:51.288 --> 00:24:53.557
in what they call
"government relations,"
00:24:53.557 --> 00:24:56.660
well over $1 billion
just on lobbying over 12 years
00:24:56.660 --> 00:24:58.529
and, since 1990,
00:24:58.529 --> 00:25:01.532
more than a quarter billion
on election campaigns.
00:25:01.532 --> 00:25:04.435
(man)
We are outgunned
by the fossil fuel industry
00:25:04.435 --> 00:25:06.437
in terms
of lobbying dollars.
00:25:06.437 --> 00:25:08.839
(Cowan) Don Furman,
now in wind power,
00:25:08.839 --> 00:25:12.276
once worked for a utility
that generated power from coa.
00:25:12.276 --> 00:25:14.945
My son is more proud
of what I do.
00:25:14.945 --> 00:25:17.314
He actually tells his friends
what I do
00:25:17.314 --> 00:25:20.317
and told me
he thought it was cool.
00:25:20.317 --> 00:25:23.554
It is profitable,
but it's a difficult industry.
00:25:23.554 --> 00:25:26.957
We don't have the ability
to host a fund-raiser
00:25:26.957 --> 00:25:28.992
for the House
of Representatives.
00:25:28.992 --> 00:25:30.994
(Cowan) From 2002 through 2008,
00:25:30.994 --> 00:25:32.996
the fossil fuel industry
00:25:32.996 --> 00:25:36.800
contributed over $86 million
to members of Congress.
00:25:36.800 --> 00:25:39.803
Meanwhile, renewables couldn't
even muster $3 million.
00:25:39.803 --> 00:25:41.805
They're supporting
their campaigns.
00:25:41.805 --> 00:25:44.207
They're getting
the policy results they want.
00:25:44.207 --> 00:25:48.678
Seventy billion dollars went
to the fossil fuel industry.
00:25:48.678 --> 00:25:52.048
At the same time,
you had about $12 billion
00:25:52.048 --> 00:25:54.351
going to the renewable energy
industry.
00:25:54.351 --> 00:25:57.020
It's not exactly
a level playing field.
00:25:57.020 --> 00:26:01.358
(man) The energy pie as it
exists in this country today
00:26:01.358 --> 00:26:05.362
overwhelmingly is dominated
by fossil fuels.
00:26:05.362 --> 00:26:08.699
So given that solar
and wind together
00:26:08.699 --> 00:26:12.035
occupy a fraction of 1%...
00:26:12.035 --> 00:26:14.038
[gunshot]
00:26:14.038 --> 00:26:16.840
(Cowan) Scott Segal is one
of many lobbyists
00:26:16.840 --> 00:26:18.842
who represent coal-fired
electric utilities
00:26:18.842 --> 00:26:20.544
and petroleum refiners.
00:26:20.544 --> 00:26:23.714
It should not surprise anybody
that to the extent
00:26:23.714 --> 00:26:25.883
that there's money available
for innovation,
00:26:25.883 --> 00:26:28.886
it's not going to be as large
for solar and wind
00:26:28.886 --> 00:26:30.721
as it would be
for more conventional sources
00:26:30.721 --> 00:26:31.889
of fossil fuel.
00:26:31.889 --> 00:26:34.158
(man)
We have a defense practice.
00:26:34.158 --> 00:26:37.928
We have an energy practice.
We have a climate practice.
00:26:37.928 --> 00:26:41.765
What we're trying to do
is influence policy makers
00:26:41.765 --> 00:26:44.567
in a way
that they understand
00:26:44.567 --> 00:26:48.471
the effect of legislation
on our client.
00:26:48.471 --> 00:26:50.741
(man)
Today on April Fools' Day,
00:26:50.741 --> 00:26:53.777
the major oil companies
are opposing legislation
00:26:53.777 --> 00:26:55.645
that would take $18 billion
00:26:55.645 --> 00:26:57.914
in tax breaks
they currently receive
00:26:57.914 --> 00:26:59.916
and redirect it
00:26:59.916 --> 00:27:02.853
to renewable fuels
and clean energy.
00:27:02.853 --> 00:27:06.155
(Cowan) When gasoline
hit $4 a gallon in 2008,
00:27:06.155 --> 00:27:08.358
we heard about
a congressional hearing
00:27:08.358 --> 00:27:12.129
where oil company CEOs would e
asked about their subsidies.
00:27:12.129 --> 00:27:15.165
The five companies
sitting before us today netted
00:27:15.165 --> 00:27:19.435
a combined $123 billion,
00:27:19.435 --> 00:27:22.372
the greatest corporate profit
in history.
00:27:22.372 --> 00:27:25.408
(man) I'm really glad
that you're here today.
00:27:25.408 --> 00:27:28.612
(Cowan) We couldn't help but notice
that some committee members
00:27:28.612 --> 00:27:30.981
seemed to want
to sympathize with the CEOs...
00:27:30.981 --> 00:27:33.283
(man)
Have you ever lost money?
00:27:33.283 --> 00:27:35.285
You've lost money, too.
00:27:35.285 --> 00:27:37.487
(Cowan)
While others were more direct.
00:27:37.487 --> 00:27:39.055
We could get the impression
00:27:39.055 --> 00:27:40.924
that the oil industry
is struggling.
00:27:40.924 --> 00:27:43.993
(man) We're working hard.
Life is not easy.
00:27:43.993 --> 00:27:46.663
Your stock ended yesterday
at 85.13.
00:27:46.663 --> 00:27:50.300
Exxon was 85.45.
Closed out yesterday.
00:27:50.300 --> 00:27:53.003
That doesn't sound
much like a struggle.
00:27:53.003 --> 00:27:54.838
If I was one
of your shareholders...
00:27:54.838 --> 00:27:57.974
(Cowan) We also noticed that
members asking the hard questions
00:27:57.974 --> 00:27:59.843
tend to receive
less campaign money
00:27:59.843 --> 00:28:01.912
from the oil and gas
industry.
00:28:01.912 --> 00:28:03.847
Is that correct,
Mr. Simon?
00:28:03.847 --> 00:28:06.116
(O'Donnell) Welcome back
to Veterans' Views.
00:28:06.116 --> 00:28:10.253
(man) How about solar power?
Where do we stand right now?
00:28:10.253 --> 00:28:11.922
(woman) It's growing.
00:28:11.922 --> 00:28:13.923
Unfortunately
the oil companies
00:28:13.923 --> 00:28:15.925
and these other
special interests
00:28:15.925 --> 00:28:19.063
want to keep it
at the same old, same old.
00:28:19.063 --> 00:28:22.065
They don't want to see
these resources developed,
00:28:22.065 --> 00:28:25.068
because it takes away
from their bottom line.
00:28:25.068 --> 00:28:27.337
(Cowan) The development
of clean energy
00:28:27.337 --> 00:28:29.640
might threaten
the fossil fuel industries,
00:28:29.640 --> 00:28:32.375
but why would Congress,
year after year,
00:28:32.375 --> 00:28:36.012
vote down support
to this technology?
00:28:36.012 --> 00:28:41.951
(man) We have 28% to 30%
of all the coal in the world.
00:28:41.951 --> 00:28:44.688
I'm wearing
this red shirt today...
00:28:44.688 --> 00:28:46.256
It's a transfer-of-wealth
bill.
00:28:46.256 --> 00:28:49.459
...is the color of the bill--
Communist red.
00:28:49.459 --> 00:28:50.694
A bad bill.
00:28:50.694 --> 00:28:53.296
Bad for America.
It's bad for our economy.
00:28:53.296 --> 00:28:54.898
It deserves to be defeated.
00:28:54.898 --> 00:28:56.366
Global warming
is not occurring.
00:28:56.366 --> 00:28:58.401
One of the most
overreaching...
00:28:58.401 --> 00:28:59.836
Filled with misinformation.
00:28:59.836 --> 00:29:02.005
They're going to tax
the air you breathe.
00:29:02.005 --> 00:29:03.173
It's offensive
in the extreme.
00:29:03.173 --> 00:29:05.174
Jobs will go to China.
00:29:05.174 --> 00:29:07.844
It's bad for business,
bad for the environment.
00:29:07.844 --> 00:29:09.813
And the economy
will go to hell.
00:29:09.813 --> 00:29:11.081
Just vote no.
00:29:11.081 --> 00:29:12.783
(man) Gentleman's time
has expired.
00:29:12.783 --> 00:29:16.652
(Cowan) On the House floor, energy
may seem like a partisan issue.
00:29:16.652 --> 00:29:18.488
But in the committee rooms,
00:29:18.488 --> 00:29:20.624
where clean energy bills
get drafted,
00:29:20.624 --> 00:29:23.159
members on both sides
of the aisle
00:29:23.159 --> 00:29:25.328
quietly build in allowances
for industries
00:29:25.328 --> 00:29:28.799
that tend to support
their election campaigns.
00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:32.202
But maybe our leaders are just
making smart policy
00:29:32.202 --> 00:29:35.572
with the help of industries
that bankroll their campaigns.
00:29:35.572 --> 00:29:40.043
If so, their arguments should
hold up to expert scrutiny.
00:29:40.043 --> 00:29:41.611
[bell dings]
00:29:41.611 --> 00:29:44.614
It will drive this country
into a depression.
00:29:44.614 --> 00:29:46.450
Jobs will not be available,
00:29:46.450 --> 00:29:48.185
and we'll not be
competitive globally.
00:29:48.185 --> 00:29:50.187
Now is not the time
00:29:50.187 --> 00:29:53.356
to export major job-producing
industries overseas.
00:29:53.356 --> 00:29:55.725
The notion that there's
a pollution haven,
00:29:55.725 --> 00:29:57.561
that companies will run away
00:29:57.561 --> 00:29:59.963
to wherever
they get the best deal
00:29:59.963 --> 00:30:01.765
on environmental regulation
00:30:01.765 --> 00:30:03.734
are documented with studies
from two lobbies
00:30:03.734 --> 00:30:07.237
which had made up their minds
in advance what the answer was
00:30:07.237 --> 00:30:09.339
and found consulting firms
that would say it.
00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:11.641
No one else can reproduce
those numbers.
00:30:11.641 --> 00:30:13.744
(man) We're gonna create
a few jobs
00:30:13.744 --> 00:30:16.079
while we're setting up
these wind towers
00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:17.347
or the solar arrays.
00:30:17.347 --> 00:30:19.515
There is an initial flush
of jobs,
00:30:19.515 --> 00:30:21.051
but they quickly go away.
00:30:21.051 --> 00:30:23.287
The jobs aren't just
on the wind farms.
00:30:23.287 --> 00:30:24.654
We employ everything
00:30:24.654 --> 00:30:27.157
from permitting to development
to operations.
00:30:27.157 --> 00:30:29.158
The vast majority
of solar technology
00:30:29.158 --> 00:30:31.428
is in the form
of solar panels.
00:30:31.428 --> 00:30:33.430
These are plastic boxes,
00:30:33.430 --> 00:30:36.366
a relatively unsophisticated
plastic box.
00:30:36.366 --> 00:30:39.035
Of course,
they're manufactured in China.
00:30:39.035 --> 00:30:41.037
Solar manufacturing
is one
00:30:41.037 --> 00:30:44.140
of the most sophisticated
high-tech industries there is.
00:30:44.140 --> 00:30:46.410
This country invented
the renewables industry,
00:30:46.410 --> 00:30:47.810
and we gave it away
00:30:47.810 --> 00:30:51.147
because we did not have
the appropriate federal support.
00:30:51.147 --> 00:30:52.916
We have the opportunity
to get that back.
00:30:52.916 --> 00:30:54.184
[bell dings]
00:30:54.184 --> 00:30:56.787
Are we playing a role?
I question that.
00:30:56.787 --> 00:30:59.122
Are we getting warmer?
That's in doubt.
00:30:59.122 --> 00:31:01.458
We ought to question
those assumptions.
00:31:01.458 --> 00:31:02.959
The relevant
scientific community,
00:31:02.959 --> 00:31:05.695
the people who study
the climate system,
00:31:05.695 --> 00:31:07.697
there is
an overwhelming agreement
00:31:07.697 --> 00:31:09.366
that climate is changing.
00:31:09.366 --> 00:31:11.968
Very likely, most
of the last 50 years of warming
00:31:11.968 --> 00:31:13.937
is due to human activities.
00:31:13.937 --> 00:31:16.940
"Very likely" to us
means greater than 90%.
00:31:16.940 --> 00:31:20.376
That is a fear attempt
to control people.
00:31:20.376 --> 00:31:23.046
It's a made-up urgency
to try to scare people.
00:31:23.046 --> 00:31:26.917
(Higgins) A large number of scientists
are genuinely concerned.
00:31:26.917 --> 00:31:30.119
That's different
than being a fear monger.
00:31:30.119 --> 00:31:32.321
If you put
enough windmills in,
00:31:32.321 --> 00:31:34.858
would you deter the Earth
from turning?
00:31:34.858 --> 00:31:37.027
Because wind
is turned and created
00:31:37.027 --> 00:31:40.063
by change of atmosphere
and the turning of the earth.
00:31:40.063 --> 00:31:42.666
If we put enough windmills up,
what will happen?
00:31:42.666 --> 00:31:44.067
No one's studied that yet,
00:31:44.067 --> 00:31:46.703
but there's gonna be
somebody studying that.
00:31:46.703 --> 00:31:48.705
[laughs]
00:31:48.705 --> 00:31:52.742
Well, we know that the Earth
will continue turning.
00:31:52.742 --> 00:31:55.111
So...
00:31:55.111 --> 00:31:57.413
(male announcer)
Congress is considering a law
00:31:57.413 --> 00:31:59.649
that would classify
carbon dioxide as pollution.
00:31:59.649 --> 00:32:01.485
This will cost us jobs.
00:32:01.485 --> 00:32:03.753
(woman) The oil and gas industry
00:32:03.753 --> 00:32:09.158
has already spent $120 million
on lobbying this year so far.
00:32:09.158 --> 00:32:12.929
(Conaway) No one group
can give me enough money,
00:32:12.929 --> 00:32:15.265
or any member of Congress,
00:32:15.265 --> 00:32:17.601
you know,
to sway their opinion,
00:32:17.601 --> 00:32:19.603
I don't think.
00:32:19.603 --> 00:32:23.372
We've had some notable examples
where guys had a list,
00:32:23.372 --> 00:32:25.108
and here's, you know...
00:32:25.108 --> 00:32:27.076
(Young) This is media hype.
00:32:27.076 --> 00:32:29.512
This idea that money
is gonna buy influence
00:32:29.512 --> 00:32:31.515
is nonsense.
00:32:31.515 --> 00:32:34.518
I'm one of these people--
You can check my records.
00:32:34.518 --> 00:32:39.055
I don't get a lot of money
from any one special group.
00:32:39.055 --> 00:32:41.057
(Russo) It's insulting to hear
00:32:41.057 --> 00:32:43.259
that the members of Congress
are bought off.
00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:45.127
They are not bought off.
00:32:45.127 --> 00:32:46.996
They don't pay to play.
00:32:46.996 --> 00:32:50.166
If I'm talking to some group,
I honestly can't tell you
00:32:50.166 --> 00:32:52.602
without being reminded
or looking at a list
00:32:52.602 --> 00:32:56.606
whether or not they gave me
any money or how much.
00:32:56.606 --> 00:32:59.576
Liar, liar, pants on fire.
00:32:59.576 --> 00:33:01.878
You know, I think it's true
00:33:01.878 --> 00:33:05.181
that they don't watch
every check that comes in,
00:33:05.181 --> 00:33:07.651
but they start shaping
their voting record
00:33:07.651 --> 00:33:10.386
based on where that resource
is coming from.
00:33:10.386 --> 00:33:12.522
They know the players
because they're sitting
00:33:12.522 --> 00:33:15.291
in front of the committees
and subcommittees every day.
00:33:15.291 --> 00:33:16.993
They know where
their money's coming from.
00:33:16.993 --> 00:33:19.996
Most members of Congress believe
in their heart of hearts,
00:33:19.996 --> 00:33:23.399
"I can say no to people
who write me a check."
00:33:23.399 --> 00:33:25.402
But it becomes
increasingly difficult
00:33:25.402 --> 00:33:27.703
when you realize
that you have to raise
00:33:27.703 --> 00:33:29.338
enormous sums of money.
00:33:29.338 --> 00:33:31.674
You spend so much time
on the phone,
00:33:31.674 --> 00:33:33.910
so much time
in the presence of people
00:33:33.910 --> 00:33:35.345
who are contributing to you,
00:33:35.345 --> 00:33:38.682
that it has to influence
your judgment to some extent.
00:33:38.682 --> 00:33:40.350
It's bribing.
00:33:40.350 --> 00:33:41.351
(Cowan) Bribing?
00:33:41.351 --> 00:33:42.519
Mm-hmm.
00:33:42.519 --> 00:33:44.520
"Here's
a bunch of money.
00:33:44.520 --> 00:33:47.690
Now be--
now do this as I say."
00:33:47.690 --> 00:33:49.959
I think that
would be bribing.
00:33:49.959 --> 00:33:53.629
(Cowan) Whether the role of money
is direct or subtle,
00:33:53.629 --> 00:33:55.398
even the most innocent among s
00:33:55.398 --> 00:33:57.366
can't help
but feel a little jaded.
00:33:57.366 --> 00:33:58.735
They give you money,
00:33:58.735 --> 00:34:01.571
and then you tell them
that you're gonna let them
00:34:01.571 --> 00:34:03.440
do things
to help their company,
00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:05.875
which I think is
happening right now.
00:34:05.875 --> 00:34:09.512
If a corporation gave me money
for my campaign,
00:34:09.512 --> 00:34:12.883
I would definitely try
to give back to that--
00:34:12.883 --> 00:34:14.884
to that corporation.
00:34:14.884 --> 00:34:17.454
Where did they get
all that money?
00:34:17.454 --> 00:34:19.622
Are they rich
before they start?
00:34:19.622 --> 00:34:22.959
I'd feel weird if someone
gave me a bunch of money
00:34:22.959 --> 00:34:25.394
and I didn't
give it back later on.
00:34:25.394 --> 00:34:27.497
That's a big question
for me.
00:34:27.497 --> 00:34:29.966
Where do they get
all that money?
00:34:29.966 --> 00:34:31.867
The oil companies
might pay them,
00:34:31.867 --> 00:34:35.305
and they might make
a lot of money off of oil
00:34:35.305 --> 00:34:37.674
to keep the oil companies
in business.
00:34:37.674 --> 00:34:40.010
I feel like that's
not the best solution,
00:34:40.010 --> 00:34:42.011
'cause after he gets
all that money,
00:34:42.011 --> 00:34:43.680
if he does become
president,
00:34:43.680 --> 00:34:46.415
he owes the oil company
something.
00:34:46.415 --> 00:34:48.451
[cheers and applause]
00:34:48.451 --> 00:34:54.624
[organ playing "Take Me Out
to the Ball Game"]
00:34:54.624 --> 00:34:56.626
[crowd cheering]
00:34:56.626 --> 00:35:00.830
(Cowan) Is it just too tough
to change the way things are?
00:35:00.830 --> 00:35:03.466
Are elected representatives
having to play ball
00:35:03.466 --> 00:35:05.535
with big money sponsors?
00:35:05.535 --> 00:35:07.803
It's become as routine
and acceptable
00:35:07.803 --> 00:35:09.672
as Arizona's
annual softball game
00:35:09.672 --> 00:35:12.308
between lobbyists
and legislators.
00:35:12.308 --> 00:35:14.944
(man)
If you slid
into home plate
00:35:14.944 --> 00:35:17.514
and you're waiting
for the call
00:35:17.514 --> 00:35:20.683
and you hand the umpire
$1,000,
00:35:20.683 --> 00:35:22.952
that would be considered
a bribe.
00:35:22.952 --> 00:35:25.255
Your bill's dead.
Your bill's dead.
00:35:25.255 --> 00:35:29.392
But if you sneak up
to a politician at a fund-raiser
00:35:29.392 --> 00:35:31.393
and give him $1,000,
00:35:31.393 --> 00:35:33.396
that's called a contribution.
00:35:33.396 --> 00:35:35.331
There's nothing wrong
with lobbyists.
00:35:35.331 --> 00:35:38.735
The problem is the connection
between lobbyists and money.
00:35:38.735 --> 00:35:41.404
The only way
to break that connection
00:35:41.404 --> 00:35:43.706
is by going
to public financing
00:35:43.706 --> 00:35:46.042
of all congressional
and senate campaigns.
00:35:46.042 --> 00:35:49.479
♪
00:35:49.479 --> 00:35:52.315
(Cowan) We'd heard about
a "don't tread on me" attitude
00:35:52.315 --> 00:35:54.316
in the Grand Canyon State
00:35:54.316 --> 00:35:55.785
and their road testing
00:35:55.785 --> 00:35:58.320
of a new kind
of electoral reform.
00:35:58.320 --> 00:35:59.989
We thought we'd have a look.
00:35:59.989 --> 00:36:03.059
(man) The people that are
being elected to office
00:36:03.059 --> 00:36:05.428
kind of lose sight
of the fact
00:36:05.428 --> 00:36:08.431
that most of the people
in this area
00:36:08.431 --> 00:36:10.433
are moderate-income people.
00:36:10.433 --> 00:36:13.136
And it doesn't seem
to be fair
00:36:13.136 --> 00:36:17.440
that the large corporations
are deciding
00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:20.576
who our representatives
are going to be.
00:36:20.576 --> 00:36:23.480
(man)
If the founding fathers saw
what's taking place right now,
00:36:23.480 --> 00:36:25.081
they'd roll over
in their graves.
00:36:25.081 --> 00:36:26.216
I can't give them money.
00:36:26.216 --> 00:36:28.217
I can give them $10, once.
00:36:28.217 --> 00:36:30.020
Do they care?
No.
00:36:30.020 --> 00:36:32.188
(man) Power corrupts absolutely
in the end.
00:36:32.188 --> 00:36:34.457
The money comes in,
the game starts changing,
00:36:34.457 --> 00:36:35.892
and people
with their BlackBerrys
00:36:35.892 --> 00:36:37.160
talking to somebody--
00:36:37.160 --> 00:36:41.064
"I could maybe hit on this guy.
Should I go after him?"
00:36:41.064 --> 00:36:43.700
(Cowan) After a series
of political scandals
00:36:43.700 --> 00:36:45.701
in the early '90s,
00:36:45.701 --> 00:36:49.072
Arizonans changed the way
they run their elections.
00:36:49.072 --> 00:36:51.941
(man) Public funding
helped me get my start.
00:36:51.941 --> 00:36:55.678
You don't owe any favors.
No one raised money for you.
00:36:55.678 --> 00:36:58.949
So you just vote
how you want to vote.
00:36:58.949 --> 00:37:01.284
Your hands, your ears,
your eyes,
00:37:01.284 --> 00:37:04.354
are not tied up
by special interest groups,
00:37:04.354 --> 00:37:06.623
and you're really
a free agent.
00:37:06.623 --> 00:37:08.791
You're a free agent
to represent
00:37:08.791 --> 00:37:11.494
your true stakeholders
that brought you here.
00:37:11.494 --> 00:37:14.564
Those are the ones
that you answer to.
00:37:14.564 --> 00:37:17.133
I spent a lot of time
with lobbyists.
00:37:17.133 --> 00:37:19.269
I was the Ways and Means
Chairman,
00:37:19.269 --> 00:37:21.971
so that's an important role
that a lot of...
00:37:21.971 --> 00:37:23.339
Money.
00:37:23.339 --> 00:37:26.342
Lobbyists want to mess
with the tax code.
00:37:26.342 --> 00:37:29.345
Going to dinners
on a regular basis.
00:37:29.345 --> 00:37:31.981
That totally disconnects you
from your voters.
00:37:31.981 --> 00:37:34.350
No, it gives me
more time to focus on...
00:37:34.350 --> 00:37:35.618
Fund-raising.
00:37:35.618 --> 00:37:36.886
Yeah.
00:37:36.886 --> 00:37:38.888
[laughter]
00:37:38.888 --> 00:37:40.890
(Cowan) Arizona and Maine
are two states
00:37:40.890 --> 00:37:42.592
where most
of their officeholders
00:37:42.592 --> 00:37:44.261
can say they won office
00:37:44.261 --> 00:37:47.430
without having to cozy up
to big money sponsors,
00:37:47.430 --> 00:37:49.566
something they call
"running clean."
00:37:49.566 --> 00:37:51.201
How are you?
00:37:51.201 --> 00:37:53.269
I'm Kirsten Sinema.
00:37:53.269 --> 00:37:55.538
I'm one of your
state representatives,
00:37:55.538 --> 00:37:56.906
and I'm your neighbor.
00:37:56.906 --> 00:37:59.542
I'm running
as a Clean Elections candidate.
00:37:59.542 --> 00:38:01.845
Candidates
can run for public office
00:38:01.845 --> 00:38:03.713
and not take any money
00:38:03.713 --> 00:38:05.815
from corporations
or special interest groups
00:38:05.815 --> 00:38:08.451
or even spend
any of their own money.
00:38:08.451 --> 00:38:09.786
In order to qualify,
00:38:09.786 --> 00:38:12.789
I have to collect
about 270 of these.
00:38:12.789 --> 00:38:14.691
(May)
I raise $5 from 250 people,
00:38:14.691 --> 00:38:16.659
and then the state
funds my campaign.
00:38:16.659 --> 00:38:18.862
I don't have to raise money
from private industry.
00:38:18.862 --> 00:38:22.365
That way, I don't have lobbyists
breathing down my throat.
00:38:22.365 --> 00:38:24.600
(man)
Clean Elections takes no money
00:38:24.600 --> 00:38:27.536
from the general tax revenues
the state receives.
00:38:27.536 --> 00:38:29.539
The primary funding source
for Clean Elections
00:38:29.539 --> 00:38:31.207
is a surcharge
on fines and penalties.
00:38:31.207 --> 00:38:34.176
If you commit a crime
or get a traffic ticket,
00:38:34.176 --> 00:38:37.147
there's a surcharge that will be
used to fund Clean Elections.
00:38:37.147 --> 00:38:39.549
Do you have a problem
with them videoing?
00:38:39.549 --> 00:38:40.683
No.
00:38:40.683 --> 00:38:42.452
Cool.
You hear that, guys?
00:38:42.452 --> 00:38:43.886
(Cowan) We tagged along
00:38:43.886 --> 00:38:45.955
with a few candidates for
Arizona's House and Senate,
00:38:45.955 --> 00:38:47.290
who, instead of power lunching
00:38:47.290 --> 00:38:49.626
with the executive crowd
in downtown Phoenix,
00:38:49.626 --> 00:38:52.227
tend to spend time
in their own districts
00:38:52.227 --> 00:38:53.762
talking to fellow citizens.
00:38:53.762 --> 00:38:57.099
(Taylor) Here in Arizona,
we ask for a $5 contribution,
00:38:57.099 --> 00:39:01.270
and so my theme has been
for many years "Give me 5."
00:39:01.270 --> 00:39:03.539
My constituents
are used to that.
00:39:03.539 --> 00:39:07.310
It brings out a lot
of conversation with them.
00:39:07.310 --> 00:39:09.312
(woman)
As a teacher, I had seen
00:39:09.312 --> 00:39:11.548
that kids don't have
everything that they need,
00:39:11.548 --> 00:39:13.649
and I wanted
to make a difference.
00:39:13.649 --> 00:39:17.052
I thought, "I could do this.
I live here, too.
00:39:17.052 --> 00:39:19.689
"I have a say.
Why not me?"
00:39:19.689 --> 00:39:21.958
(Taylor) Many of you are here.
00:39:21.958 --> 00:39:23.960
Put your walking shoes on.
00:39:23.960 --> 00:39:27.163
It's not set up
to where you can have
00:39:27.163 --> 00:39:29.765
these glamorous gatherings
and parties in ballrooms.
00:39:29.765 --> 00:39:32.001
That's not
what it's all about.
00:39:32.001 --> 00:39:33.869
It's about
beating the pavement.
00:39:33.869 --> 00:39:36.172
It opens the playing field up.
00:39:36.172 --> 00:39:39.075
This is what I love to do.
I love talking to people.
00:39:39.075 --> 00:39:41.711
I love being real,
sharing my thoughts.
00:39:41.711 --> 00:39:43.513
Sometimes they change
my thoughts.
00:39:43.513 --> 00:39:44.881
Sometimes
they tell me something
00:39:44.881 --> 00:39:46.382
that I didn't think about.
00:39:46.382 --> 00:39:49.953
(Sinema) It is a wonderful way
to campaign
00:39:49.953 --> 00:39:52.287
without having
to spend your time
00:39:52.287 --> 00:39:54.290
asking rich people for money.
00:39:54.290 --> 00:39:56.792
(Cowan) It's a way of
campaigning that's optional,
00:39:56.792 --> 00:39:58.427
and yet it's elected
00:39:58.427 --> 00:40:00.697
more than half
of Arizona's legislature,
00:40:00.697 --> 00:40:03.499
plus their governor,
secretary of state,
00:40:03.499 --> 00:40:05.234
and their attorney general.
00:40:05.234 --> 00:40:09.005
But there are still those
writing and voting on bills
00:40:09.005 --> 00:40:11.307
who raise money
the usual way,
00:40:11.307 --> 00:40:14.677
and plenty of lobbyists
are ready to help them.
00:40:14.677 --> 00:40:18.447
This plaza between the Senate
and the House building
00:40:18.447 --> 00:40:21.150
is the busiest place
in the neighborhood.
00:40:21.150 --> 00:40:23.419
It's filled with lobbyists,
absolutely filled.
00:40:23.419 --> 00:40:25.554
There are deals being made here.
00:40:25.554 --> 00:40:27.723
There are deals
being made there.
00:40:27.723 --> 00:40:31.126
We actually have a much greater
number of lobbyists
00:40:31.126 --> 00:40:33.429
than the 90 legislators here.
00:40:33.429 --> 00:40:35.631
(Ableser) If it wasn't
for Clean Elections,
00:40:35.631 --> 00:40:37.867
I'd probably be worried about,
you know,
00:40:37.867 --> 00:40:39.869
if I voted this way,
00:40:39.869 --> 00:40:43.239
they're not gonna give me
the money I need.
00:40:43.239 --> 00:40:45.508
Your bill's dead,
your bill's dead.
00:40:45.508 --> 00:40:47.009
[bat strikes softball]
00:40:47.009 --> 00:40:49.645
(Cowan) Could it really
be this simple--
00:40:49.645 --> 00:40:52.681
politicians who no longer
need big money sponsors
00:40:52.681 --> 00:40:56.318
to fund their campaigns?
00:40:56.318 --> 00:40:58.655
It seemed too simple.
00:40:58.655 --> 00:41:00.856
So we thought
we'd visit a couple of groups,
00:41:00.856 --> 00:41:02.692
closer to downtown,
00:41:02.692 --> 00:41:05.928
that have tried to repeal
Arizona's Clean Election law.
00:41:05.928 --> 00:41:08.264
(man)
Taxpayer-financed campaigns,
00:41:08.264 --> 00:41:11.333
rather than enhancing
freedom of speech,
00:41:11.333 --> 00:41:15.104
actually work to stifle speech
in the marketplace of ideas.
00:41:15.104 --> 00:41:17.874
(man) Money often serves
as a proxy for support.
00:41:17.874 --> 00:41:19.309
Those with the most money,
00:41:19.309 --> 00:41:21.477
they're the people
with the most public support.
00:41:21.477 --> 00:41:23.713
They've been able
to convince the electorate
00:41:23.713 --> 00:41:26.482
to donate money to them
and to support them.
00:41:26.482 --> 00:41:29.018
I don't think that's
necessarily a negative trait.
00:41:29.018 --> 00:41:34.223
♪ All I need
is a solid gold Cadillac ♪
00:41:34.223 --> 00:41:36.225
(Cowan) We thought it interesting
00:41:36.225 --> 00:41:38.661
that efforts to repeal
the state's Clean Election law
00:41:38.661 --> 00:41:40.663
have not only all failed,
00:41:40.663 --> 00:41:44.166
but they've been funded largey
by donors with ample resource,
00:41:44.166 --> 00:41:46.902
many of whom tend to bankroll
local politicians.
00:41:46.902 --> 00:41:49.905
(Lang) Folks who like the system
the way it used to be,
00:41:49.905 --> 00:41:52.508
with Clean Elections,
you no longer need that money,
00:41:52.508 --> 00:41:54.877
and you're no longer beholden
to those business interests.
00:41:54.877 --> 00:41:56.445
You can vote
your conscience.
00:41:56.445 --> 00:41:59.215
(Taylor) There's a live phone bank
going on.
00:41:59.215 --> 00:42:00.750
Two phones left.
00:42:00.750 --> 00:42:04.020
(Cowan) Why does public funding
and those who run on it
00:42:04.020 --> 00:42:06.955
tend to be so popular in stats
like Arizona and Maine?
00:42:06.955 --> 00:42:10.093
(woman) She's been trying
to get all the corporations
00:42:10.093 --> 00:42:12.095
to clean up their acts.
00:42:12.095 --> 00:42:14.463
In order to do that,
you can't take their money.
00:42:14.463 --> 00:42:17.066
Citizens in this community
actually trust her,
00:42:17.066 --> 00:42:19.335
so they're willing
to support her.
00:42:19.335 --> 00:42:21.303
When you're
a new legislator
00:42:21.303 --> 00:42:23.739
and you're establishing,
your voting record,
00:42:23.739 --> 00:42:25.708
I think you really
weigh carefully,
00:42:25.708 --> 00:42:27.776
"How is this gonna impact
my funding?"
00:42:27.776 --> 00:42:29.445
if you're running
traditional.
00:42:29.445 --> 00:42:30.813
If you're
publicly financed,
00:42:30.813 --> 00:42:33.115
I don't think you'd give it
a second thought.
00:42:33.115 --> 00:42:35.117
(woman) I never get the sense
00:42:35.117 --> 00:42:39.088
that she has all sorts
of lobbyists around her
00:42:39.088 --> 00:42:41.090
telling her what to do.
00:42:41.090 --> 00:42:43.358
Some politicians
will say one thing,
00:42:43.358 --> 00:42:45.494
and then
throughout their term,
00:42:45.494 --> 00:42:48.130
they've completely gone
in a different direction,
00:42:48.130 --> 00:42:50.132
and she's really
stayed true.
00:42:50.132 --> 00:42:52.434
(Sinema) It's hard to stay that way.
00:42:52.434 --> 00:42:54.304
I wake up every morning
00:42:54.304 --> 00:42:56.172
and do
the political whore check.
00:42:56.172 --> 00:42:59.842
Am I a political whore?
Am I doing what I believe in?
00:42:59.842 --> 00:43:02.311
Or am I doing something
for other reasons?
00:43:02.311 --> 00:43:04.313
This is
small-time stuff here,
00:43:04.313 --> 00:43:07.250
not anything compared
to what's happening in Congress.
00:43:07.250 --> 00:43:09.619
The system,
I think, encourages you...
00:43:13.455 --> 00:43:16.458
I don't pay too much attention
to politicians.
00:43:16.458 --> 00:43:19.462
I'm not in denial.
I know they exist.
00:43:19.462 --> 00:43:21.764
You don't ever get
to know them.
00:43:21.764 --> 00:43:24.100
I'd want to be able
to trust them.
00:43:24.100 --> 00:43:25.601
The rich people know them.
00:43:25.601 --> 00:43:27.036
I want a guy that's honest,
00:43:27.036 --> 00:43:29.038
and I don't want
the same excuse,
00:43:29.038 --> 00:43:30.539
"I'm gonna lower taxes."
00:43:30.539 --> 00:43:32.508
I've heard that
way too much.
00:43:32.508 --> 00:43:34.510
I know that it's
a group of people.
00:43:34.510 --> 00:43:38.814
Who try to make things
better.
00:43:38.814 --> 00:43:40.149
I mean,
no one's perfect.
00:43:40.149 --> 00:43:42.051
Sometimes
they don't succeed.
00:43:42.051 --> 00:43:44.052
But that's just
my opinion.
00:43:44.052 --> 00:43:45.554
They don't make
the best decisions,
00:43:45.554 --> 00:43:46.788
but sometimes they do.
00:43:46.788 --> 00:43:48.891
They do a lot up there.
00:43:48.891 --> 00:43:50.392
They...everything a lot.
00:43:50.392 --> 00:43:52.428
They basically
run our nation.
00:43:52.428 --> 00:43:54.297
[car horn honks]
00:43:54.297 --> 00:43:56.299
(man) I've testified a few times,
00:43:56.299 --> 00:43:58.934
maybe not as many
as the others.
00:43:58.934 --> 00:44:01.670
But I walked
into this room today
00:44:01.670 --> 00:44:03.972
thinking that this
was the most--
00:44:03.972 --> 00:44:08.077
the most important testimony
that I could be part of.
00:44:08.077 --> 00:44:11.847
(Cowan) We heard about a bill
being introduced in Washington
00:44:11.847 --> 00:44:14.917
that would change
the way we elect Congress--
00:44:14.917 --> 00:44:17.954
an electoral system
like the one in Arizona,
00:44:17.954 --> 00:44:19.655
where candidates
can run for office
00:44:19.655 --> 00:44:22.324
without having to raise
large campaign contributions
00:44:22.324 --> 00:44:24.327
from lobbyists
and special interests.
00:44:24.327 --> 00:44:25.895
Instead, they'd collect
00:44:25.895 --> 00:44:28.197
a set number
of small contributions
00:44:28.197 --> 00:44:30.132
from within
their home state,
00:44:30.132 --> 00:44:32.768
each limited
to no more than $100.
00:44:32.768 --> 00:44:35.071
Candidates meeting
this threshold then qualify
00:44:35.071 --> 00:44:38.107
for a limited amount
of public campaign funds
00:44:38.107 --> 00:44:41.677
and are prohibited from taking
any large private donations.
00:44:41.677 --> 00:44:43.679
Those needing more--
00:44:43.679 --> 00:44:45.948
to compete with heavily
bankrolled candidates--
00:44:45.948 --> 00:44:48.250
may continue to accept
small contributions
00:44:48.250 --> 00:44:51.621
that would then be matched,
up to a limit,
00:44:51.621 --> 00:44:54.623
at a four-to-one ratio
by a public fund.
00:44:54.623 --> 00:44:57.126
(man) Arizona and Maine
have similar systems,
00:44:57.126 --> 00:45:00.128
which allow candidates
to spend more time
00:45:00.128 --> 00:45:01.897
with their constituents
00:45:01.897 --> 00:45:06.635
and less time in the pursuit
of money through fund-raising.
00:45:06.635 --> 00:45:08.805
Public financing
has created a separation
00:45:08.805 --> 00:45:11.974
between the vast majority
of legislators and lobby groups,
00:45:11.974 --> 00:45:14.877
allowing legislators
to weigh issues on their merits
00:45:14.877 --> 00:45:18.213
and vote freely without
the fear of losing support.
00:45:18.213 --> 00:45:20.849
If you're spending more time
in district,
00:45:20.849 --> 00:45:22.852
raising your money there
00:45:22.852 --> 00:45:25.554
and not here
in Washington, D.C.,
00:45:25.554 --> 00:45:28.724
then aren't we creating
a more representative,
00:45:28.724 --> 00:45:31.060
a more democratic society?
00:45:32.929 --> 00:45:36.665
(Cowan)
At first, it seemed like
the idea was well received,
00:45:36.665 --> 00:45:40.069
that the bill might actually
get off the ground.
00:45:40.069 --> 00:45:45.808
(man) I believe that this is not
a good use of taxpayer money.
00:45:45.808 --> 00:45:47.810
(man) I am unfortunately
constrained
00:45:47.810 --> 00:45:50.480
to register my concern
about the belief
00:45:50.480 --> 00:45:52.047
that taxpayers
would be compelled
00:45:52.047 --> 00:45:53.415
to fund political campaigns.
00:45:53.415 --> 00:45:55.250
If it wasn't
for special interest groups
00:45:55.250 --> 00:45:57.619
coming to see us,
we wouldn't have anything to do.
00:45:57.619 --> 00:46:00.990
Taxpayer funding of campaigns
is fundamentally a bad idea.
00:46:00.990 --> 00:46:03.159
We don't think
that the problems
00:46:03.159 --> 00:46:05.360
that it alleges to address
exist
00:46:05.360 --> 00:46:07.362
or that this bill
will actually do anything...
00:46:07.362 --> 00:46:09.731
(man) As soon as you become
a politician,
00:46:09.731 --> 00:46:11.200
it's all about money.
00:46:11.200 --> 00:46:12.702
You have to get money
to run,
00:46:12.702 --> 00:46:14.870
and we can't give them
any money.
00:46:14.870 --> 00:46:17.106
The constituents,
we don't have any money.
00:46:17.106 --> 00:46:19.108
The incumbents saw to that,
00:46:19.108 --> 00:46:21.710
so they got to get money
from corporations,
00:46:21.710 --> 00:46:23.579
and the corporations
give them money.
00:46:23.579 --> 00:46:25.614
(Cowan) The idea that
an optional public fund
00:46:25.614 --> 00:46:27.416
would address a problem
that doesn't exist
00:46:27.416 --> 00:46:29.084
seemed funny to us,
00:46:29.084 --> 00:46:31.754
but we wondered how members
of Congress feel.
00:46:31.754 --> 00:46:35.124
When I ran for office
as a, you know,
00:46:35.124 --> 00:46:38.060
hardly known challenger...
00:46:38.060 --> 00:46:39.395
People think that you're
00:46:39.395 --> 00:46:40.830
going to parades
and shaking hands.
00:46:40.830 --> 00:46:42.264
You're just raising money.
00:46:42.264 --> 00:46:46.468
I had to raise $1.2 million
or $1.3 million.
00:46:46.468 --> 00:46:47.570
I was told unequivocally
00:46:47.570 --> 00:46:49.605
that I needed $2 million
to $5 million.
00:46:49.605 --> 00:46:51.006
$6 million.
00:46:51.006 --> 00:46:52.008
And I laughed at them.
00:46:52.008 --> 00:46:53.175
It's real money.
00:46:53.175 --> 00:46:56.044
Four years of my life
and every dime I had saved.
00:46:56.044 --> 00:46:58.281
(man) You have to leave
the building.
00:46:58.281 --> 00:47:00.916
Every day
I go make those calls.
00:47:00.916 --> 00:47:02.918
Well, in the last election,
00:47:02.918 --> 00:47:05.787
it cost about $8 million
to win.
00:47:05.787 --> 00:47:08.057
It cost $4 million
to lose.
00:47:08.057 --> 00:47:11.827
I spend almost as much time
trying to figure out
00:47:11.827 --> 00:47:15.464
how I'm going
to raise $3.5 million
00:47:15.464 --> 00:47:18.834
as I do at 3:00 in the morning
00:47:18.834 --> 00:47:21.103
reading the 1,998-page
healthcare bill
00:47:21.103 --> 00:47:23.105
that I'm gonna vote on.
00:47:23.105 --> 00:47:25.474
(Edwards) It requires
a lot of phone calls,
00:47:25.474 --> 00:47:27.476
meetings,
fund-raising events.
00:47:27.476 --> 00:47:28.777
Setting the hearings
00:47:28.777 --> 00:47:30.979
so they wouldn't conflict
with raising money.
00:47:30.979 --> 00:47:33.248
You're calling
the political action committees,
00:47:33.248 --> 00:47:35.751
asking if they would help
with a fund-raiser
00:47:35.751 --> 00:47:37.553
today or tomorrow.
00:47:37.553 --> 00:47:39.221
You say,
"We're gonna have to vote
00:47:39.221 --> 00:47:40.756
"Wednesday night at 8:00."
00:47:40.756 --> 00:47:42.391
There'd be a little line--
00:47:42.391 --> 00:47:45.393
like kids going to the toilet
in the fourth grade--
00:47:45.393 --> 00:47:46.862
come up to your desk,
say,
00:47:46.862 --> 00:47:48.597
"Al, I can't do that.
00:47:48.597 --> 00:47:51.233
"I got to be in Detroit
for a fund-raiser."
00:47:51.233 --> 00:47:53.869
(Jones)
You might as well face it.
00:47:53.869 --> 00:47:57.673
Money is power, and that's
how this system works.
00:47:57.673 --> 00:48:00.243
In a way,
it's dysfunctional.
00:48:01.744 --> 00:48:03.679
[people gasp]
00:48:08.383 --> 00:48:11.019
(Cowan) Just about everyone
seems to know
00:48:11.019 --> 00:48:13.422
that campaign fund-raising
in the U.S.
00:48:13.422 --> 00:48:15.291
has gotten out of hand.
00:48:15.291 --> 00:48:17.259
But we wondered what
an optional public fund
00:48:17.259 --> 00:48:19.261
would really cost
00:48:19.261 --> 00:48:21.130
And who'd pay for it?
00:48:21.130 --> 00:48:25.267
So we went to the citizens
who helped write the bill.
00:48:25.267 --> 00:48:27.904
(man) We can publicly fund
all elections
00:48:27.904 --> 00:48:30.505
for the United States Congress
and the presidency
00:48:30.505 --> 00:48:33.309
for a little less
than $2 billion a year.
00:48:33.309 --> 00:48:36.545
Compare that to the hundreds
of billions of dollars
00:48:36.545 --> 00:48:38.814
we spend
in pork barrel projects,
00:48:38.814 --> 00:48:40.215
where there's
a direct connection
00:48:40.215 --> 00:48:41.717
to the campaign contributions.
00:48:41.717 --> 00:48:43.318
It's a bargain.
00:48:43.318 --> 00:48:46.688
(Cowan) In fact, the public fund,
as in Arizona,
00:48:46.688 --> 00:48:49.825
needn't be financed
by individual taxpayers at al.
00:48:49.825 --> 00:48:52.828
Possible sources include
fees paid by large companies
00:48:52.828 --> 00:48:55.264
doing business
with the federal government
00:48:55.264 --> 00:48:58.033
or the licensing
of our public airwaves.
00:48:58.033 --> 00:49:01.036
(man) It means your
$10 or $20 contribution
00:49:01.036 --> 00:49:02.671
isn't insignificant.
00:49:02.671 --> 00:49:04.773
Ordinary citizens' voices
are magnified.
00:49:04.773 --> 00:49:07.042
They become
the most important voices
00:49:07.042 --> 00:49:09.044
within the political system.
00:49:09.044 --> 00:49:12.814
(Edgar) Public financing actually
will save the average taxpayer
00:49:12.814 --> 00:49:14.516
a lot of money.
00:49:14.516 --> 00:49:16.886
If you had looked
at how much money
00:49:16.886 --> 00:49:18.954
Wall Street
has put into the hands
00:49:18.954 --> 00:49:20.956
of House and Senate members,
00:49:20.956 --> 00:49:23.192
they were able
to lower the regulations,
00:49:23.192 --> 00:49:25.327
allow speculation
to take place,
00:49:25.327 --> 00:49:27.362
and then you see
the devastation
00:49:27.362 --> 00:49:29.431
when we had
the economic tsunami.
00:49:29.431 --> 00:49:31.700
I would ask
the average taxpayer,
00:49:31.700 --> 00:49:33.802
"How much money
did you lose?"
00:49:33.802 --> 00:49:35.938
After all the bailouts
of the banking industry,
00:49:35.938 --> 00:49:38.774
members of Congress are still
taking campaign contributions
00:49:38.774 --> 00:49:41.443
from the executives at the banks
that are being bailed out.
00:49:41.443 --> 00:49:43.445
Look down on this nation.
00:49:43.445 --> 00:49:45.714
Would you ever
design a system
00:49:45.714 --> 00:49:48.350
where those
who have a special interest
00:49:48.350 --> 00:49:49.952
would fund the elections
00:49:49.952 --> 00:49:52.554
of those who are going
to make the decisions?
00:49:52.554 --> 00:49:54.557
It would never
cross your mind.
00:49:54.557 --> 00:49:56.057
(Nyhart) Now the politicians depend
00:49:56.057 --> 00:49:58.394
on a relatively small
group of people
00:49:58.394 --> 00:50:00.429
to give them
very big checks.
00:50:00.429 --> 00:50:02.297
Under this system,
the politicians
00:50:02.297 --> 00:50:04.500
have to depend
on the voters.
00:50:06.468 --> 00:50:09.872
(Cowan) We thought we had
our Washington visit wrapped,
00:50:09.872 --> 00:50:14.276
until a bombshell hit
with lots of fallout.
00:50:14.276 --> 00:50:17.346
(news anchor #1) A big change
in American politics.
00:50:17.346 --> 00:50:20.382
(news anchor #2) Supreme Court
overturned 100 years' worth...
00:50:20.382 --> 00:50:23.685
(news anchor #3) The decision
essentially rewrites...
00:50:23.685 --> 00:50:27.055
(Obama) The Supreme Court
reversed a century of law
00:50:27.055 --> 00:50:29.625
that I believe will open
the floodgates
00:50:29.625 --> 00:50:31.693
for special interests,
including foreign corporations,
00:50:31.693 --> 00:50:34.864
to spend without limit
in our elections.
00:50:34.864 --> 00:50:36.365
If Exxon Corporation
00:50:36.365 --> 00:50:39.035
is gonna run an ad
against Mike Capuano, fine.
00:50:39.035 --> 00:50:41.203
Let the voters know
that it's Exxon Corporation.
00:50:41.203 --> 00:50:43.205
The problem comes
when Exxon Corporation
00:50:43.205 --> 00:50:45.774
writes a check
to the Better Government Group
00:50:45.774 --> 00:50:47.409
that runs an ad saying,
00:50:47.409 --> 00:50:48.843
"We're
the Better Government Group,
00:50:48.843 --> 00:50:50.379
"and Mike Capuano stinks."
00:50:50.379 --> 00:50:52.014
(announcer) Our Country
Deserves Better PAC
00:50:52.014 --> 00:50:54.116
is responsible
for the content of this ad.
00:50:54.116 --> 00:50:56.018
Somehow corporations
are persons,
00:50:56.018 --> 00:50:59.154
and therefore they have
the right of free speech
00:50:59.154 --> 00:51:01.390
and the right
to participate in elections.
00:51:01.390 --> 00:51:02.724
It's called
the First Amendment
00:51:02.724 --> 00:51:04.226
of the United States
Constitution.
00:51:04.226 --> 00:51:06.395
We have a right
to freedom of speech.
00:51:06.395 --> 00:51:08.297
And money is speech.
00:51:08.297 --> 00:51:09.865
The courts have held
that is speech.
00:51:09.865 --> 00:51:11.800
Whatever's working, pal,
ain't working.
00:51:11.800 --> 00:51:12.935
The First Amendment
00:51:12.935 --> 00:51:15.571
to the Constitution
of the United States
00:51:15.571 --> 00:51:19.708
was not crafted so some jerk
could spend money into oblivion
00:51:19.708 --> 00:51:22.611
to stampede and crush out
every other guy
00:51:22.611 --> 00:51:25.481
with a bright idea
or a good platform.
00:51:25.481 --> 00:51:28.450
(Nyhart) The Founders were,
I think, terrified
00:51:28.450 --> 00:51:30.586
of great power
being aggregated
00:51:30.586 --> 00:51:33.155
and then destroying
our democracy.
00:51:33.155 --> 00:51:35.090
(Donnelly) They'd be rolling
in their graves.
00:51:35.090 --> 00:51:36.425
They actually believed
00:51:36.425 --> 00:51:37.993
that democracy
should be priceless
00:51:37.993 --> 00:51:40.496
and not adorned
with a price tag.
00:51:44.633 --> 00:51:45.968
(Cowan) So with all the support
00:51:45.968 --> 00:51:48.137
for having
an optional public fund,
00:51:48.137 --> 00:51:50.072
why hasn't it happened?
00:51:50.072 --> 00:51:53.742
The same people bitching
about raising money,
00:51:53.742 --> 00:51:57.646
you find out some of them
don't make much policy.
00:51:57.646 --> 00:52:00.516
We'd lose the discipline
of candidate vetting
00:52:00.516 --> 00:52:03.919
if everybody gets
a certain amount of money.
00:52:03.919 --> 00:52:08.256
Because they don't understand
who they legislate for.
00:52:08.256 --> 00:52:10.992
Incumbents know
how to work the system.
00:52:10.992 --> 00:52:12.994
It is hard
to change the system
00:52:12.994 --> 00:52:14.663
that got a politician
elected.
00:52:14.663 --> 00:52:17.065
We know
where the contributors are.
00:52:17.065 --> 00:52:18.433
I think they're risk averse.
00:52:18.433 --> 00:52:21.069
They figure,
"I've figured this system out.
00:52:21.069 --> 00:52:23.205
"I've mastered it.
I can win."
00:52:23.205 --> 00:52:25.207
We need the finest leaders
00:52:25.207 --> 00:52:28.710
we can attract to the Congress
and the White House
00:52:28.710 --> 00:52:30.679
if we're gonna
meet our challenges.
00:52:30.679 --> 00:52:33.448
It makes no sense
to limit the field
00:52:33.448 --> 00:52:35.817
from which we can attract
those leaders
00:52:35.817 --> 00:52:37.519
to those who have the money
00:52:37.519 --> 00:52:39.254
or the contacts
to raise the money.
00:52:39.254 --> 00:52:42.291
It makes absolutely no sense.
It's ridiculous.
00:52:42.291 --> 00:52:45.294
(man) If somebody gave me
$100,000 and said,
00:52:45.294 --> 00:52:49.431
"You don't have to think
like I want you to think,"
00:52:49.431 --> 00:52:51.299
I'm not gonna forget that.
00:52:51.299 --> 00:52:54.670
You know that if you don't
lean that direction,
00:52:54.670 --> 00:52:58.040
you may not get
that big chunk next time.
00:52:58.040 --> 00:53:00.075
I didn't have to go to college
to figure that out.
00:53:00.075 --> 00:53:03.879
(Eckstein) We need Congress to
make some sort of change.
00:53:03.879 --> 00:53:06.581
I think that our senators
and congresspeople
00:53:06.581 --> 00:53:09.584
should listen to me
before special interest groups.
00:53:09.584 --> 00:53:12.454
Be aware of who is controlling
00:53:12.454 --> 00:53:15.123
your legislator
or your congressman
00:53:15.123 --> 00:53:20.562
or the people that are making
those policies.
00:53:20.562 --> 00:53:22.831
(Cowan) Just about everywhere
we traveled
00:53:22.831 --> 00:53:25.400
showed us
in one way or another
00:53:25.400 --> 00:53:29.537
the need to restore government
that really is for the people,
00:53:29.537 --> 00:53:31.840
and not just
big campaign donors,
00:53:31.840 --> 00:53:35.243
be they corporations, unions,
or any other special interest.
00:53:35.243 --> 00:53:36.779
And this was looking
00:53:36.779 --> 00:53:39.281
at just two
of our national policies.
00:53:39.281 --> 00:53:41.750
(Rauh) Every policy
that this country pursues
00:53:41.750 --> 00:53:43.752
will be decided by those
00:53:43.752 --> 00:53:46.755
we elect to the Congress
and the presidency.
00:53:46.755 --> 00:53:49.424
If you look at all
the major policy issues,
00:53:49.424 --> 00:53:50.759
whether it's energy...
00:53:50.759 --> 00:53:51.793
The economy.
00:53:51.793 --> 00:53:52.527
The farm bills.
00:53:52.527 --> 00:53:53.395
The health care bill.
00:53:53.395 --> 00:53:54.262
Earmarking.
00:53:54.262 --> 00:53:55.064
The war.
00:53:55.064 --> 00:53:55.931
The deficits.
00:53:55.931 --> 00:53:57.366
Regulation of Wall Street.
00:53:57.366 --> 00:53:58.934
They are
important problems,
00:53:58.934 --> 00:54:01.102
but there is a first problem
we've got to solve.
00:54:01.102 --> 00:54:04.105
(Weeks) Take the big money
out of politics.
00:54:04.105 --> 00:54:05.974
If you're an incumbent,
00:54:05.974 --> 00:54:08.343
if you're helping
to fund their campaigns,
00:54:08.343 --> 00:54:09.811
it just works too well.
00:54:09.811 --> 00:54:11.279
You're never gonna
give it up.
00:54:11.279 --> 00:54:13.582
Democracy is not
a spectator sport.
00:54:13.582 --> 00:54:15.917
There has never been
a successful social movement
00:54:15.917 --> 00:54:17.553
that's come from the top down.
00:54:17.553 --> 00:54:20.789
There have to be people
that look at this system
00:54:20.789 --> 00:54:23.058
and say, "It's not working
as intended."
00:54:23.058 --> 00:54:25.494
For our children,
for our grandchildren.
00:54:25.494 --> 00:54:28.730
It all begins
with a small group of people.
00:54:28.730 --> 00:54:30.466
Here we are.
Let's start.
00:54:30.466 --> 00:54:32.434
(Cowan) What would you say
to President Obama
00:54:32.434 --> 00:54:35.069
if you could say
just one thing?
00:54:35.069 --> 00:54:36.872
Hi.
00:54:36.872 --> 00:54:41.776
♪ It's coming
to America first ♪
00:54:41.776 --> 00:54:45.780
♪ The cradle of the best
and of the worst ♪
00:54:56.325 --> 00:54:58.493
♪ It's here
the family's broken ♪
00:54:58.493 --> 00:55:00.862
♪ and it's here
the lonely say ♪
00:55:00.862 --> 00:55:03.198
♪ that the heart
has got to open ♪
00:55:03.198 --> 00:55:06.034
♪ in a fundamental way ♪
00:55:06.034 --> 00:55:08.704
♪ Democracy's comin'
to the U.S.A. ♪
00:55:08.704 --> 00:55:10.706
Funding to purchase
00:55:10.706 --> 00:55:13.141
and make this educational
production accessible
00:55:13.141 --> 00:55:16.678
was provided by the U.S.
Department of Education:
00:55:21.249 --> 00:55:25.187
(Cowan)
I got to raise money,
and I loathe...
00:55:25.187 --> 00:55:27.923
I do too.
It's horrible, Steve.
Distributor: Bullfrog Films
Length: 58 minutes
Date: 2011
Genre: Expository
Language: English
Grade: 8-12, College, Adults
Color/BW:
Closed Captioning: Available
Audio description: Available
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