Citizens United & Amending the Constitution

The Citizens United decision and the massive amount of money it has brought into American politics has led to a government that is no longer of, by or for the people, but instead works for those who can write the biggest campaign checks.

More than 70 percent percent of Americans support an increase in the national minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. But minimum wage legislation is frozen in Congress. Part of the reason is big political spending by low-paying employers. In the 2014 cycle, Walmart alone spent $14.8 million on political contributions and lobbying. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent over $35 million in independent expenditures.

While 90 percent of Americans support background checks, and even as the massacres at Virginia Tech and Sandy Hook Elementary School stunned the nation and spurred calls for sensible gun controls, the National Rifle Association spent more than $31.4 million during the 2014 election cycle in a successful drive to stave off reform.

Floods and droughts are now devastating large areas of America, providing more evidence of the disastrous impact of climate change. But legislation to attack the buildup of carbon in our atmosphere has stalled as the energy sector has poured money into our elections, spending nearly $100 million just on the 2014 elections. That total doesn't include millions more invested by fossil fuel-backed "dark money" groups that conceal their donors. This is despite the fact that two-thirds of Americans acknowledge climate change is a problem.

As Americans face $1.2 trillion in student loan debt and 60 percent of Americans support a plan to give students the same interest rates as big banks, Wall Street banks -- many of which profit off student loans -- spent more than $100 million on the 2014 election.

More than 80 percent percent of Americans support regulations that would keep the Internet open to everyone. But net neutrality is hanging by a thread, as telecom industry giants and the anti-net neutrality lobby spent more than $42.8 million on the 2014 elections to elect candidates who would give them free rein to eliminate important consumer protections and establish fast and slow lanes online.