November 7, 2013
SEC Comment file 4-637
Dear Comment file 4-637,
I am deeply concerned about the influence of corporate money on our electoral process.
In particular, I am appalled that, because of the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, publicly traded corporations can spend investor's money on political activity in secret.
I am writing to urge the Securities and Exchange Commission to issue a rule requiring publicly traded corporations to publicly disclose all their political spending.
Both shareholders and the public must be fully informed as to how much the corporation spends on politics and which candidates are being promoted or attacked. Disclosures should be posted promptly on the SEC's web site. It is highly possible that I am a shareholder in some of these companies and I have the right to know where these companies are spending their money so that I can make an educated decision concerning the companies. Also if I want to become a shareholder within a company I need to have the information on where they are spending their money, again, to make an educated decision. I have specific political opinions and I want my money to be spent along those lines. If I don't know how a company is spending its money I am unable to track if they meet my standards politically.
Thank you for considering my comment.
Sincerely,
Paula Yocum