Take Action
It's not good enough to complain. Our Republic is in peril, and it's time for you to take action on Democracy reforms. Big Money politics is standing in the way of advances the voters want in healthcare, environment, tax reform, education and energy. Until we fix it, we can't break the gridlock!
Here's how you can take action!
Join a NH Regional Democracy Team!
Write a letter to the editor! (Coming soon!
Regional Democracy Teams
Thanks for considering being part of an Open Democracy Action Regional Democracy Team here in New Hampshire. If you are outside of New Hampshire, there are other ways for you to help, but our regional teams are working in their towns and neighborhoods here in the Granite State only.
Open Democracy Action just launched its Regional Democracy Teams in November of 2019, and we're still sorting out the infrastructure and mission. Your voice is important at this critical time as each team decides what activities are best within each region.
Go to the Regional Democracy Teams sign-up page
Our organization, founded by New Hampshire campaign finance reformer Doris "Granny D" Haddock, who at 89 years old in 1999, set
off on a walk across the United States to raise the alarm of how our campaign finance system was creating a system of legal bribery, particularly at the federal level. She was a critical part of kindling nationwide support for the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill, which passed in 2002. Granny D died in 2010, but unfortunately lived to see the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, which rendered her work for McCain-Feingold moot. But Granny D remains a hero, not just here in New Hampshire, but for reformers all over the country, for showing what one ordinary person can do to make change.
Our Regional Democracy Teams will work around their areas on a variety of activities, but all of it related to strengthening our Democracy:
- Exhibiting at local fairs and festivals
- Walking or doing street theater in parades (We've done "SuperPAC Man" and "Senator Philmore Pockets" in past parades)
- Speaking to school, civic and religious groups about our issues
- Calling state reps when Democracy legislation is pending
- Writing letters to the editor in your area
- Talking with other activist groups, such as climate, pipeline, healthcare, or other groups which get blocked by Big Money interests.
- Hosting an annual Granny D Day walk on January 24th, or reading one of her speeches on the steps of your town hall.
- Do a screening of one of several money-in-politics movies at your local library
- and whatever else you can dream up to further our cause!
If you're ready to take action, go to our Regional Democracy Teams sign up page, confirm what region you're in, and sign up. You'll be doing your part to help save our republic by getting our democracy back in the hands of the PEOPLE, not special interests or corporations.
As Granny D said, "Democracy isn't something we HAVE, it's something we DO!"
Time to Take Action!
News
News from Open Democracy Action
Open Democracy Action is a 501c4 nonprofit which works on campaign finance reform, getting Big Money out of politics through activism, supporting legislation, and lobbying lawmakers.
Our Monthly Newsletter, Equal Voice
Read the latest issue of Equal Voice: A Newsletter for those who Walk the Talk of Campaign Finance Reform, which includes news from Open Democracy Action and its sister organization, Open Democracy and its project NH Rebellion.
December 2019 Equal Voice Newsletter in PDF
November 2019 Equal Voice Newsletter in PDF
October 2019 Equal Voice Newsletter in PDF
September 2019 Equal Voice Newsletter in PDF
Press Releases from Open Democracy Action
See our latest press statements regarding our activities and actions!
Birddogging
Advocates who feel passionately about issues can create change by "bird-dogging" candidates for national and state offices.
Bird-dogging means finding opportunities in public forums to pin the candidates down with specific questions and information that reveal (and sometimes change) their views.
New Hampshire's First-In-The Nation primary, which demands that candidates meet and answer questions from voters, and which is covered extensively by national and international news media, is the perfect place to bird-dog presidential hopefuls.
To assist new and veteran bird-dogs, here's a helpful guide and tips from the Friends Committee on National Legislation. Our allies over at Open Democracy NH also have a few question asking tips on their website.
You can find high quality, up to date information on candidate events using either the New England Cable News New Hampshire Primary campaign tracker or the Bird Dog NH New Hampshire Candidate Events Calendar.
Need a question for the presidential candidates? We suggest these:
- I agree with many people in government who say that the way campaigns are funded results in an uneven playing field--big-money donors and lobbyists have too much influence on laws and policies. Would you support campaign finance reform on the federal level, and if so, what type of system would you propose to return government to the people?
- Poll after poll tell us that New Hampshire voters are hungry for solutions that reduce the power of wealthy donors in political campaigns and give everyday people a stronger voice. Would you support campaign finance reform, and if so, what type of system do you think would return government to the people?
- 80% of voters see big money in elections as a problem. They know that, compared to big-money donors and lobbyists, they have no voice. Do you believe its time for Congress to fix to the way elections are funded, and if so, what solution would you propose?
We hope you get your question answered. If you do, please let us know! Try to get the candidate response on video or audio record, and send that to Garrett.