Join the American Promise Business Network to End Money in Politics

Money in politics
is bad for business

Civically responsible business leaders, executives, and owners work together in advocacy of the For Our Freedom Amendment. Your unique business perspective, influence, and connections are pivotal for setting the record straight: From Main Street to Wall Street, rules that foster dark money from outside groups and foreign donors in our elections do not help business but threaten critical innovation, healthy markets, economic growth, and thus society at large.

Ready to learn more?

The American Promise Business Network is a robust group of professionals from across the country and across the political landscape, with one goal: end the pay-to-play politics that threaten our economic climate.

Interested in the American Promise Business Network?

Because we value your precious time, your involvement will be quick and efficient. By joining the business network you will:

receive a welcome email and our four-part email series to learn what business leaders like you are doing right now, and how you can get involved with your existing network
receive an invitation to connect with our Business Network Manager

Join The Business Network

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As an average American, it is nearly impossible to compete with billionaires, but what they can’t buy with money is the deep love and passion we feel for the outdoors and the freedom our Constitution guarantees.

It's time for moral leadership within our businesses, our communities and our government that will return to fair competition, checks and balances, and accountability.

I am honored to be a part of an organization devoted to bringing people together in order to reform our democracy. As someone with a passion for working on teams that are building momentum for new ideas and new ways of doing things, I am eager to unite all Americans around the For Our Freedom Amendment.

We need to repair the Constitutional foundation for election spending reform so that all Americans may participate in self-government as equal citizens. I hope all Americans can come together with American Promise to help in this urgent, cross-partisan work.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation's independence, ratifying this proposed constitutional amendment would renew and preserve the cherished democratic ideals of the founders.

We need to strengthen our democracy if we want good jobs with good wages, energy sources that are renewable and affordable, and strong, resilient communities. That means we need to win the For Our Freedom Amendment and restore equal citizenship and liberty for all.

It is time to accept the historical gravity of our situation. It is time for Americans of all political viewpoints to come together to win the For Our Freedom Amendment — and to renew U.S. democracy again.

Repairing the loss of political voice among our citizenry, our ever-increasing wealth disparity, and our loss of military credibility in an ever more unstable world may be the greatest challenge America has ever confronted. But as always, Americans uniting together can do something big to fix this.

Big money privileges those with the means to pour unlimited amounts of money into campaigns, which drowns out the voices of all Americans, especially those living in poverty and experiencing the harmful effects of institutional and social racism.

Logger; Executive Director, Maine Sportsman’s Alliance; Former Maine State Senator; American Promise Advisory Council Member

Founder & CEO, Ibis Communications and Global Diversity Leadership Exchange

US Navy, Nuclear Submarine Operations Officer (2008-2014); Business owner

Former Senator, (R-Maine)

Former U.S. President (1977 – 1981)

Entrepreneur, Founder BlocPower

Presidential Historian, Pulitzer Prize-winning Author

U.S. Army (Ret.); former Chief of Staff, US Secretary of State General Colin Powell; Williamsburg, VA

Assistant Teacher and Advocate

There are problems but
we have solutions.

The Problem

In a strong U.S. economy, companies compete based on the value they create in the marketplace. In a strong U.S. society, government is accountable to the people it serves. Yet, in America today, free enterprise and the open exchange of ideas are too often replaced by “pay-to-play,” where firms and special interests compete for favors based on political spending. The result is an ever-escalating arms race and increasing cronyism. Elected officials now spend 30-70% of their time raising money, in races 20 times more costly than in 2000. One Fortune 500 CEO describes this as “legalized extortion,” explaining, “We are seeing every politician coming in here with their hand out, demanding contributions.”

The Costs

In the end, pay-to-play means everyone loses. Our economy suffers when cronyism undermines honest competition and the real drivers of growth. Large companies confront reputational risks if their government affairs conflict with their stated values. Innovators and investors face increased volatility and regulatory complexity, and small business cannot get a seat at the table. Even worse, pay-to-play politics corrupts representative democracy itself, threatening the integrity of our government, enabling influence by foreign actors, and fueling public cynicism and distrust.

The Root Cause

In the 1970s, an activist Supreme Court began dismantling the century-old U.S. campaign finance framework—assuming this would help business. A series of decisions has authorized PACs and Super PACs and enabled corporations, unions, special interest groups, and individuals to spend unlimited amounts on political campaigns. Since then, spending and contributions have skyrocketed, with more than 76% contributed by 0.1% of the population. Much of this money flows through non-disclosing non-profits. According to former Senator Alan Simpson (R-WY), “Money’s dominance over politics…is a growing crisis that prevents us from tackling anything else.”

The Solution

In the current pay-to-play environment, refusing to engage can amount to “unilateral disarmament” for a single business. Together, however, concerned business people can be clear: We want rules that foster honest competition, in the marketplace for goods and services and in the marketplace of ideas. Amazingly, 75% of Americans agree on the solution to pay-to-play politics. Twenty states have passed resolutions calling for a 28th Constitutional Amendment to end unlimited political spending and stop this destructive arms race for influence. American Promise is the leading non-partisan organization working to unite Americans in crafting, passing, and ratifying such an amendment.

The Role of Business

Only business can clarify that pay-to-play does not make economic sense.

Because legislators often assume the current environment benefits business, executives are uniquely positioned to get the attention of Congress and set the record straight: Rules that foster pay-to-play do not help business, but threaten innovation, healthy markets, and economic growth. In addition, business has a compelling interest in helping to restore public trust in our society—and faces significant reputational, regulatory, and systemic risk if this issue is not addressed. Finally, many business leaders are deeply committed to representative democracy and share a concern for our country. They are now joining the national wave of engagement on this issue—adding their voices to the millions of Americans convinced that action is needed.

Home

Our Promise

Our Plan

The For Our Freedom Amendment

Our Support

Get Involved

About Us

News + Updates

Money in politics
is bad for business

Interested in the American Promise Business Network?

Join The Business Network

As an average American, it is nearly impossible to compete with billionaires, but what they can’t buy with money is the deep love and passion we feel for the outdoors and the freedom our Constitution guarantees.

It's time for moral leadership within our businesses, our communities and our government that will return to fair competition, checks and balances, and accountability.

We need to repair the Constitutional foundation for election spending reform so that all Americans may participate in self-government as equal citizens. I hope all Americans can come together with American Promise to help in this urgent, cross-partisan work.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation's independence, ratifying this proposed constitutional amendment would renew and preserve the cherished democratic ideals of the founders.

We need to strengthen our democracy if we want good jobs with good wages, energy sources that are renewable and affordable, and strong, resilient communities. That means we need to win the For Our Freedom Amendment and restore equal citizenship and liberty for all.

It is time to accept the historical gravity of our situation. It is time for Americans of all political viewpoints to come together to win the For Our Freedom Amendment — and to renew U.S. democracy again.

Repairing the loss of political voice among our citizenry, our ever-increasing wealth disparity, and our loss of military credibility in an ever more unstable world may be the greatest challenge America has ever confronted. But as always, Americans uniting together can do something big to fix this.

Big money privileges those with the means to pour unlimited amounts of money into campaigns, which drowns out the voices of all Americans, especially those living in poverty and experiencing the harmful effects of institutional and social racism.

Dark Money and Special Interests are Blocking Reasonable Solutions to Many Major Issues.

There are problems but
we have solutions.

The Problem

The Costs

The Root Cause

The Solution

The Role of Business

Only business can clarify that pay-to-play does not make economic sense.

The Promise of a Better Future for All Americans

American Promise Business Network

Home

Our Promise

Our Plan

The For Our Freedom Amendment

.st0{fill:#1C2A35;} .st1{fill:none;} .st0{fill:#1C2A35;} .st1{fill:none;} Our Support

.st0{fill:#1C2A35;} .st1{fill:none;} .st0{fill:#1C2A35;} .st1{fill:none;} Get Involved

.st0{fill:#1C2A35;} .st1{fill:none;} .st0{fill:#1C2A35;} .st1{fill:none;} About Us

News + Updates

Money in politics is bad for business

Interested in the American Promise Business Network?

Join The Business Network

As an average American, it is nearly impossible to compete with billionaires, but what they can’t buy with money is the deep love and passion we feel for the outdoors and the freedom our Constitution guarantees.

It's time for moral leadership within our businesses, our communities and our government that will return to fair competition, checks and balances, and accountability.

We need to repair the Constitutional foundation for election spending reform so that all Americans may participate in self-government as equal citizens. I hope all Americans can come together with American Promise to help in this urgent, cross-partisan work.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation's independence, ratifying this proposed constitutional amendment would renew and preserve the cherished democratic ideals of the founders.

We need to strengthen our democracy if we want good jobs with good wages, energy sources that are renewable and affordable, and strong, resilient communities. That means we need to win the For Our Freedom Amendment and restore equal citizenship and liberty for all.

It is time to accept the historical gravity of our situation. It is time for Americans of all political viewpoints to come together to win the For Our Freedom Amendment — and to renew U.S. democracy again.

Repairing the loss of political voice among our citizenry, our ever-increasing wealth disparity, and our loss of military credibility in an ever more unstable world may be the greatest challenge America has ever confronted. But as always, Americans uniting together can do something big to fix this.

Big money privileges those with the means to pour unlimited amounts of money into campaigns, which drowns out the voices of all Americans, especially those living in poverty and experiencing the harmful effects of institutional and social racism.

Dark Money and Special Interests are Blocking Reasonable Solutions to Many Major Issues.

There are problems butwe have solutions.

The Problem

The Costs

The Root Cause

The Solution

The Role of Business

Only business can clarify that pay-to-play does not make economic sense.

The Promise of a Better Future for All Americans

Our Support

Get Involved

About Us

Money in politics
is bad for business

There are problems but
we have solutions.