Concord's Promise for Engaged Citizenry

Today, in Washington, money talks, and the voices of everyday citizens are being drowned out. I am frightened for the health of our democracy and want to work with others to encourage reasonable laws preventing corruption and limiting the influence of corporations and wealthy individuals. I want to help strengthen and preserve the notion of fair representation in our government.

My great grandmother, Hellie Hudnut, born at the close of the Civil War, was a lively influence on my sense of civic duty. She’d divorced her first husband for infidelity in 1906; taught herself to drive a car one stormy night when their team of horses returned without her second husband; started a business; and became the first female president of the Northampton Chamber of Commerce. She outlived all three of her husbands, and taught me I have rights, and exercising them is my responsibility as a citizen. As a suffragette, she’d taken to the streets and organized her neighbors to amend the US Constitution for votes for women. She, her daughter, her granddaughter, I and my daughter have the right to vote as the result of a collective effort of which, she was a part.

My understanding of the need for civic action and the power of money began when Hellie subscribed to OUR DUMB ANIMALS, a red-trimmed magazine filled with black and white photos of elephants and kittens – and requests for donations. She assured me that by “dumb” the magazine editors meant the animals didn’t have a way to speak for themselves. They lacked representation and needed our help. Encouraged by her, I ran for fifth grade class president on the platform that those who did not have an equal voice needed our support. With my classmates help, we raised $17.33 for the lions of Africa.

Since then, I have given what I could, sending money to causes I believe in, voting in elections big and small, and protesting in the streets against forces that trample my concept of common good. But I have been feeling increasingly powerless. Our government of, for, and by the people has been eroded by the Supreme Court ruling Citizens United v FEC that empowers the wealthy few and silences the will of the people.

Now, living in sight of the North Bridge, I am daily reminded of the erosion of the rights the colonists fought for. I have recently found hope by joining American Promise, a cross-partisan organization of local associations working together to create a national revival of engaged, responsible citizenship.

Together we plan to win a 28th amendment to the constitution that says corporations are not people and only human beings have constitutional rights.

So far, over 5 Millions of Americans have petitioned Congress for such an amendment, sixteen states and 700 cities and towns have passed 28th Amendment resolutions.

But we need to connect and organize in our local communities – just as the suffragettes did, in order to restore our democracy

I know Hellie, my Republican great grandmother, would have rolled her sleeves up and come to the next meeting of the North Bridge American Promise Association. And I hope you will too. http://northbridge.americanpromise.net/