Des Moines, Iowa – Citizens must stand up to take back democracy – that was the message as Iowa farmers today joined with Fair Elections advocates to expose how corporations use campaign contributions to maintain a stronghold on politicians. At the event, Brave New Films debuted a new online short titled, ‘Take The ‘For Sale’ Sign Off The Capitol Lawn’, which shows how the influence of corporations on the electoral process has a harmful impact on the lives of Americans. View the video.

"These stories highlight the very reason the American people have lost faith in their elected officials,” said David Donnelly, campaign manager for the Campaign for Fair Elections.

The following facts demonstrate just how prevalence of corporate influence over lawmaking is in the state of Iowa alone:

• In 2010 alone, the agriculture industry has given more than $36 million in federal campaign contributions and spent $62.9 million on lobbying the federal government.
• Archer Daniel Midland has given more than $8 million in federal campaign contributions since 1990.
• In the last two years, Cargill has spent $2.6 million lobbying the federal government.
• Over the last two electoral cycles, the Iowa Farm Bureau PAC has spent $327,000 supporting federal candidates for office.
• So far in 2010, the Farm Bureau has spent $2.9 million lobbying the federal government.
• Over the last two electoral cycles, the egg and poultry industries have given $2.3 million in federal campaign contributions and spent $26.7 million lobbying the federal government.

“Just up the road, many of the giant agribusiness corporations that have spent millions on campaign contributions and lobbyists to influence elections and lawmaking are celebrating “progress” in the form of more corporate profits. Meanwhile, family farmers like us are still struggling. We are demanding that our elected officials represent we the people. We are demanding fair elections,” said Iowa CCI member and 4th generation family farmer and nurse Barb Kalbach.

The Fair Elections Now Act would provide public financing to candidates who are supported by small donors so they can compete with corporate-backed and self-funded candidates. The bill was introduced by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Arlen Specter (D-PA), and Reps. John Larson (D-CT) and Walter Jones (R-NC) in 2009. Despite senior leaders in the Senate and House taking the lead, and 135 co-sponsors in the House alone, the congress has repeatedly delayed taking action on the proposed legislation.

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