Thursday, March 17, 2011

The Story of Citizens United v. FEC (2011)

This video has gone viral among a certain subset of people who actually believe in Democracy as an ideal - brought to you by the same folks who brought us The Story of Stuff.
http://storyofcitizensunited.org ---- Season Two launches on March 1st with The Story of Citizens United v. FEC, an exploration of the inordinate power that corporations exercise in our democracy.

About the Film

The Story of Citizens United v. FEC, released on March 1st, 2011 at storyofcitizensunited.org, explores the history of the American corporation and corporate political spending, the appropriate roles of citizens and for-profit corporations in a democracy and the toxic impact the Citizens United decision is already having on our political process. It ends with a call to amend the U.S. constitution to confirm that people—not corporations—make the decisions in a democracy.

Join the movement and our community: Please consider a tax-deductible gift to support the distribution of The Story of Citizens United v. FEC.
 You can make a secure contribution HERE.


Written by Annie Leonard, Jonah Sachs, Louis Fox
Produced by Free Range Studios
Executive Producer Erica Priggen
Director Louis Fox
Camera Tim Kerns
Gaffer Charles Griswold
Sound Dan Gleich
Best Girl Lauren Stocker
Teleprompter Bill Buck
Hair/Make-Up Kathleena Gorga
Production Coordinator Juliet Unfried
Animation Script Louis Fox, Ruben DeLuna
Animators Ruben DeLuna, Lyla Warren, Bob Cesca, Ben Johnson
Editor Mike Farley
Sound Design Ray Sutton

Story of Stuff Project Annie Leonard, Michael O’Heaney, Christina M. Samala, Allison Cook, Renee Shade

Viral Outreach Heidi Quante, Angela Bradbery, Rachel Lewis

Script Advisor Robert Weissman

Support Provided by The Cow Hollow Fund, 11th Hour Project

About the Issue

You can only cram so much in to eight minutes, even talking as fast as Annie does! Check out these additional resources to learn more about issues Annie talks about in The Story of Citizens United v. FEC and take action to put the people back in charge of our democracy!

From the Film

FAQs (PDF)
Annotated Script (PDF)
House Party Kit (PDF)
Press Release (PDF)

On the Web

FREE SPEECH FOR PEOPLE

Free Speech For People is a new national non-partisan campaign pressing for a 28thAmendment to the US Constitution to overturn Citizens United v. FEC and restore democracy to the people. Free Speech For People (www.freespeechforpeople.org) seeks to reclaim constitutional rights for people and return corporations to their place as economic rather than political entities. Free Speech For People launched its campaign moments after the US Supreme Court issued its ruling on January 21, 2010, in Citizens United v. FEC. Since its launching, Free Speech For People has worked across the country to build a broad grassroots movement to ensure that people, not corporations, govern in America.

PEOPLE FOR THE AMERICAN WAY

People For the American Way is dedicated to making the promise of America real for every American: Equality. Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. The right to seek justice in a court of law. The right to cast a vote that counts. The American Way.

Our vision is a vibrantly diverse democratic society in which everyone is treated equally under the law, given the freedom and opportunity to pursue their dreams, and encouraged to participate in our nation’s civic and political life. Our America respects diversity, nurtures creativity and combats hatred and bigotry.

We believe a society that reflects these constitutional principles and progressive values is worth fighting for, and we take seriously our responsibility to cultivate new generations of leaders and activists who will sustain these values for the life of this nation.

PUBLIC CITIZEN

Corporations have their lobbyists in Washington, D.C.
The people need advocates too.

Public Citizen serves as the people’s voice in the nation’s capital. Since our founding in 1971, we have delved into an array of areas, but our work on each issue shares an overarching goal: To ensure that all citizens are represented in the halls of power.

For nearly four decades, we have proudly championed citizen interests before Congress, the executive branch agencies and the courts. We have successfully challenged the abusive practices of the pharmaceutical, nuclear and automobile industries, and so many others. We are leading the charge against undemocratic trade agreements that advance the interests of mega-corporations at the expense of citizens worldwide.

As the federal government wrestles with critical issues – fallout from the global economic crisis, health care reform, climate change and so much more – Public Citizen is needed now more than ever. We are the countervailing force to corporate power. We fight on behalf of all Americans – to make sure your government works for you.

We have five policy groups: our Congress Watch division, the Energy Program, Global Trade Watch, the Health Research Group and our Litigation Group. Learn more about them here.

Public Citizen is a nonprofit organization that does not participate in partisan political activities or endorse any candidates for elected office. We accept no government or corporate money – we rely solely on foundation grants, publication sales and support from our 80,000 members. Please support our valuable work.


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