Government Oversight: Lobbyists, Food Packaging, and Chemicals

Take a look at the pacifier your baby is sucking right now. Or the bottle of soda your kid just threw away. Or the can of peas you just opened.

Do they have BPA in them? BPA—a chemical found to cause risks to humans.

A 2010 FDA report found the risks were especially pronounced for babies and young children. Yet because of millions of dollars spent by the chemical industry, our government has still done nothing to even make it possible for you to know whether ordinary consumer products—like pacifiers or bottles or cans—contain this dangerous chemical.

Exactly who does our government work to protect?

Ending lobbyists' grip

Lobbyists have this power to sell policy to this highest bidder because they have become the key source of campaign funds for Members of Congress. They will continue to have this power so long as we make Congressmen dependent upon them.

One simple idea would radically change all this. Give every voter a $50 democracy voucher to spend on whatever candidate he or she wishes. And make it so candidates can only get these vouchers if they limit themselves to small dollar contributions.

Special interest money = special interest Congress.

Our money = Our Congress.