May 9, 2015
In the present (and hopefully short-lived) era of "Citizens United," every means available must be utilized to protect the remaining integrity of our political process, and sunshine remains the best disinfectant.
Amongst the critical duties and responsibilities of the SEC are to protect investors and promote the public interest by issuing a rule requiring disclosure of political contributions by publicly traded companies.
Shareholders must be able to know whether -- and how -- their money is being used to run a business or employed to influence our political process.
Therefore, please place a rule on the unified agenda by the end of May 2015 that will require disclosure of political spending, as laid out in file number 4-637.
Thank you.
A.J. Averett