April 22, 2012
Please issue a rule requiring publicly traded corporations to publicly disclose all their political spending.
This is a simple step that the Securities Exchange Commission can take that is a win-win:
1) You will be providing the "transparency" that is often bandied in public debate but not instituted. Your action will give a solid base of integrity to corporate business in the eyes of citizens. This is desperately needed to encourage the American public to take you seriously, take you as legitimate, take you as a Commission that actually means to protect the true business of the country. At the present time, "lackies", "shills", "corrupt" are often associated with "corporation" and "SEC." You can change the tone.
2) You will provide the necessary data to stockholders and prospective stock purchasers to be wise and valued investors. This should be on your agenda. A robust and functioning (as opposed to frantic and bubble-based) stock market can only be maintained with clear information being available. Simple. Straight-forward. No hidden, secretive monies being spent without the stockholders knowledge.
These disclosures should be posted promptly on the SEC's web site.
This is not brain science. It is a basic business action that is needed to be implemented immediately.
Sincerely,
JoAnn Durfee
Eugene, OR