November 7, 2013
SEC Comment file 4-637
Dear Comment file 4-637,
Our government has devolved into what more closely resembles a corporate plutocracy than a democratic republic. Corporate control of elections and policy *MUST* be curbed if we are to survive as a free nation!! To say that I am deeply concerned about the influence of corporate money on our electoral process would be the grossest sort of understatement!
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.
Thank you for considering my comment.
Sincerely,
Francis Schilling