The recent campaign finance article in the Gazette (“Represent.US seeks campaign finance reform”) did a great job of updating readers on the national and state level status of big money influence of government.
It fell short, however, in addressing the question: “What can I do about this?”
Although it mentions that Represent.US is “working with volunteers around the country …” it does not mention the active chapter of volunteers here in western Massachusetts.
Learning about a problem without seeing a path to solving it leads to helplessness, hopelessness and inactivity.
Conversely, learning about a problem together with a means to have a positive impact is empowering and energizing. Represent Western Mass is actively working to pass resolutions in local cities and towns to call on Boston and Washington to fix this problem.
We are also building coalitions with other organizations, educating the public and assisting the efforts in South Dakota and Washington State by phoning supporters in those states to encourage them to vote for their ballot initiatives in November.
Represent Western Mass held an organizational meeting Sept. 13. More information is available by email at RepWMa@gmail.com or visit the Represent Western Mass Facebook page.
Reed Schimmelfing
Northampton