Dec 14, 2011 by jpapagiannis@publicampaign.org

A National Catholic Reporter editorial yesterday calls on Americans to take back their government, and cites the Fair Elections Now Act (S. 750, H.R. 1404) as a critical step forward in the fight against big money interests that dominate our politics.

From the editorial: "In April, congressional leaders -- Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) in the Senate and John Larson (D-Conn.), Walter Jones (R-N.C.) and Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) in the House -- reintroduced the Fair Elections Now Act. It would both reduce the influence of big donors in federal elections while enhancing the power of small donors....Maybe, just maybe, by November 2012 enough of us will have had enough to demand a radical re-ordering of an election process that has stolen our voices and government. Maybe then we will demand that our elected officials give our government back."

As evidenced by the Occupy movement that has spread all over the country, more and more people from all walks of life recognize the damage being done by our big money-driven election system. This voice, from an unusual source, adds to the growing sentiment that only when we get the big money out, and put the people back in, can we have a government and democracy that is of, by, and for the people.