Here's Another Reminder of Why We're Building a Movement

We all know that together, we're stronger. We believe that 50 million people can truly change our country. And we understand why Americans of all stripes must break down the the barriers that divide us.

But sometimes, along comes a news story that is so infuriating that it jolts us into action. This is one of them.

The New Yorker reports that the Supreme Court's disastrous Citizens United decision, which ushered in the Super PAC era of American politics, is fueling climate change denial:

Citizens United had the effect of taking money and power away from the political parties—which control only modest amounts of money, by contemporary standards—and handing that power to the people who write the checks. Certain of these people, the newly empowered rich, care a great deal about climate change—about denying its existence and fighting attempts to limit its impact. No one is quite sure who gives how much to the 501(c)(4)s, because they are allowed to keep their donors’ names secret. But it’s clear that in the forefront of anti-climate-change activism are the Koch brothers, who have invested huge amounts in politics and political candidates since Citizens United. (Jane Mayer has written about the brothers’ efforts.) The Kochs are so prominent that they have become, in effect, gatekeepers for Republican politics. Climate-change denial is now the price of admission to the charmed circle of Republican donors. Indeed, Americans for Prosperity, an organization heavily supported by the Kochs, has created a pledge for officeholders to sign, which promises that they will not support any legislation related to climate change that increases government net revenue. Dozens have signed on, including such likely Presidential candidates as the senators Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, and Marco Rubio. 

Now, more than ever, it's vital that we band together with organizations like the Sierra Club, Greenpeace, Common Cause, Public Citizen and Demos. Exposing the corrupting influence of big money in our elections is closely tied to saving our environment. Ending the flood of anonymous campaign contributions is directly related to cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Workers striving to create greener workplaces are also part of the battle to take back our democracy from the 1 percent.

It's all connected.