Coalition for Open Democracy

The bottom line. Democrats, Republicans and Independents do not agree on everything, but we all want to trust that our lawmakers are working for us, developing common sense policies that will leave a better world for our children and grandchildren. When we vote, that is our bottom line. But special interests have their own bottom line. They want payback for their campaign contributions. The result: bank law written by bankers, energy policy by oilmen. Pay to play. Corruption, undue influence, special consideration, attention to this and not that–these things can happen anywhere, even New Hampshire.

Everyone knows it. Big money is corrupting our politics and undermining our democracy, and everyone knows it. 82% of Americans believe that political parties, presidential and U.S. Congressional candidates should be banned from receiving campaign contributions from lobbyists or other representatives of the financial services, energy and military contracting industries (Zogby on-line poll of likely voters, September 2008). Only by reforming our campaign finance system can we assure the free, creative thinking by lawmakers and the voter confidence we need to address complex problems currently facing our state and nation.

The Coalition for Open Democracy is a nonpartisan coalition of organizations and individuals dedicated to ensuring integrity, transparency and efficiency in political and legislative processes in New Hampshire and the nation. We work to improve public policy and practices by gathering and disseminating information and engaging people in action.

Currently, our primary focus is to educate the public and policymakers about Citizen Funded Elections for New Hampshire.

2009 marks the 99th birthday of NH’s own campaign finance reform folk-hero Granny D and the 10th anniversary of her historic walk across the country for campaign finance reform.

If you would like to honor Granny D with a birthday gift that will advance the cause of campaign finance reform in New Hampshire, click here.