The Paula Gordon Show |
Speak Up | |||
One voice makes a huge difference, says Chellie Pingree,
whether she is talking about electoral politics, corporate governance,
federal agencies or the non-profit sector. This is the PEOPLE’s
country and it’s time for the PEOPLE to take ownership of it, she
insists. “Holding Power Accountable” is every citizen’s
job, just as it is the guiding light of Common Cause, of which Ms. Pingree
is President and CEO. |
Conversation 1 The government is us, Chellie Pingree tells Paula Gordon Paula Gordon and Bill Russell. Ms. Pingree describes how Common Cause founder John Gardner’s original idea -- we need a citizen looking over the shoulder of every politician -- still applies. She compares his era to ours. 7:22
secs
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Conversation 2 Ms. Pingree insists all politicians are not crooks or irresponsible, describes their challenging task and reiterates the importance of politicians staying connected to constituents instead of big funders. The people are often way ahead of politicians, she says, and expands on how Common Cause encourages people to express their concerns and focuses on issues critical to democracy. She addresses elected officials and lobbyists, corporations, and the media, whose public interest obligations she describes. |
Conversation 3 Describing herself as an activist, Ms. Pingree shows how public financing of elections works in Arizona and Maine -- reminding us that “As goes Maine, so goes the nation” -- and calls the difference in campaigns revolutionary. She shows how States continue to act as “laboratories of democracy.” The 2004 presidential election campaign will cost $1B, she says, wondering if highly profitable media companies are the best recipients of this money in a time of scarce resources, calling today’s election system obscenely out of control. Common Cause worked for years to pass the McCain-Feingold bill, Ms. Pingree says, celebrating the return of small donors to campaigns, eager for this trend to grow. |
Conversation 4 Election reform has been a Common Cause issue from its beginning, Ms. Pingree recalls, describing “flags” raised by the 2000 election. She reiterates the fundamental importance of voting in a democracy -- whether for officials or a referendum -- and shows how redistricting and apportionment contribute to a critically important failure -- non-competitive races in most districts in the U.S. She shows how all these issues relate to each other and end up encouraging citizens not to participate. Ms. Pingree explains why “transparency” is critical at all levels and must not be sacrificed to inappropriate security concerns. She honors Harry Truman’s (WW2) and John Gardner’s (Vietnam War) watchdog roles in wartime and describes a host of problems created by privitizing formerly military functions. |
Conversation 5 A former businesswoman as well as state legislator, Ms. Pingree applies “Holding Power Accountable” to business, especially large corporations. Governance is discussed within corporations, federal agencies and non-profits. She demonstrates why one can never give any entity a “pass” at any level. If we don’t bring integrity and ethics into policy making on all fronts, she declares, there is no future for a democracy. She explains why Common Cause limits itself to the fundamental processes of democracy, where they can make the most significant change. |
Conversation 6 Ms. Pingree describes the FCC and media concentration as a critical issue and expands. She urges people to become active at any level that feels appropriate -- from talking to friends to running for office -- and to take ownership of government. |
Acknowledgements Bill Bozarth, the Executive Director of Common Cause/Georgia,
was instrumental in arranging for Ms. Pingree to be our guest. We
are appreciative. |
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