February 10, 2012
Securities and Exchange Comm.
Dear Securities and Exchange Comm.,
A consumer and political advocacy group, Common Cause, has brought to my attention the possible role that could be filled by the Securities and Exchange Commission in making our democracy more transparent.
As you are quite aware, the recent Supreme Court rulling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission has eliminated the rule that large corporate fat cats, including publicly traded corporations, can conceal their contributions to political campaigns for election. Their power and influence has already been made clear in the Repurblican presidential primary election campaigns.
This message is to encourage strongly that the Securities and Exchange Commission issue a rule requiring publicly traded corporations to publicly disclose all of their political spending.
Like many citizens of both major parties, I am deeply concerned about the influence of corporate money on our electoral process. The Securities and Exchange Commission should issue a rule requiring publicly traded corporations to publicly disclose their political spending.
Both shareholders and the public must be fully informed about corporate political spending and which candidates it is being used to promote or attack. Disclosures should be posted promptly on the SEC’s web site.
I am a US citizen and registered voter. Thank you for taking my concerns into consideration in your decision making and rule making.
Sincerely,
Daniel Duffy