Concerned about legislation

To the editor:

I want to bring attention to concerned citizens regarding some legislation that is under consideration right now in our Alaska Legislature. It has to do with taking back our ability to pass campaign finance laws and to assure that residents of our state have a fair voice in decisions that affect their lives by keeping the balance of power in check.

In the House it is HJR 24 and the matching resolution in the Senate is SJR 16.

They will add the voice of Alaskans to a growing effort to change the US Constitution to end the notion that money is a form of “free speech” and that somehow artificial entities such as corporations, both profit and non as well as unions, have equal rights to those of natural persons.

These notions have been a large factor in the erosion of our democracy in this past decade. In fact, the USA has been downgraded as an exemplary Democracy by the world. I know I am tired of the endless pleas for money every election cycle. More money increases the likelihood of more corruption, not more democracy.

There are many immediate issues taking up the legislators’ time and attention for sure, but these resolutions can be easily passed, and require no funding to implement. We thank the sponsors for boldly introducing them and encourage passage to lend Alaska’s voice to changes needed.

— Beverly Churchill,

Anchorage