The political world is still reeling.
On July 4, Harvard Law professor Lawrence Lessig did the impossible: He crossed the $5 million finish line, hitting a fundraising goal that everyone said was impossible ... in less than a month.
And what was all that money for? Fighting against money in politics. A Super PAC to fight Super PACs. As Lessig likes to say, you have to embrace the irony.
Now, the real battle begins—actually using that money to beat the billionaires at their own game. And Lessig has a plan for that, too. If you want to hear the inside story on how it all happened and what's coming next, you've got to hear this brand-new episode of "The Good Fight."
The first time "The Good Fight" sat down with Lessig, he was waking up in the middle of the night, his mind racing with anxiety about the $5 million deadline. His pledge, all along, had been that if he didn't reach the goal, he'd refund all of the donations. Then, in the final hours, thousands of MoveOn members—and many others—poured in their support, and everything changed.
On this episode, you'll hear about that day, and you'll hear why Lessig still thinks, against all the odds, that big money's hammerlock on our democracy can be broken. When you're done, you'll share Lessig's belief that the fight for American democracy is far from over.
Thanks for helping make MayDay's breakthrough possible, and thanks for all you do.
–Ben Wikler
P.S. Don't use iTunes? No problem. You can listen to the podcast on the Web, tune in via Stitcher (an Android and iOS app), or subscribe via RSS. And if you do use iTunes and you like the show, be sure to subscribe ... and post a review!
P.P.S. In case you missed it, here's the email that Lawrence Lessig sent to MoveOn members on July 4, asking for help with MayDay:
Dear MoveOn member,
This is Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Lessig.
Since the early 1920s, aviators and mariners have used the word MAYDAY to signal distress.
On the sea, when another captain hears that call, there is an obligation to lend aid.
At MayDay PAC, we are calling a MAYDAY on this democracy. Americans from across the political spectrum believe our government is broken. More than 90% of us link that failure to the role of money in politics.
And yet our politicians do nothing to break that link. Instead they spend endless time raising campaign funds from the tiniest fraction of the 1%.
Our democracy is held hostage by these funders of campaigns. We have announced a plan to get it back.
Learn more in this video, and please let me know if you're interested in being part of this.
Several years ago, I decided to give up my work on copyright and Internet policy and take up the fight against corruption.
I started collaborating with others on the best way to build a grassroots movement around campaign finance reform. Washington won't fix itself—the people need to take action.
That's why we created MayDay PAC, an ambitious "Super PAC to end all Super PACs" that will make reform a 2014 campaign issue. We've raised millions so far, shocking the political world.
Can you watch this video explaining MayDay PAC, and let us know if you'd be interested in supporting this effort?
With hope,
Lawrence Lessig
Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.
PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on August 31, 2014. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.
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