A new petition, already signed by more than 100 business owners and business organization leaders, calls for the Supreme Court to reject arguments that would overturn one of the last remaining limits on political campaign contributions. Today, the Supreme Court will hear a case, McCutcheon v. FEC, dealing with aggregate contribution limits. The petition, which may be found here, will remain open until the court issues its decision.

Many business owners do not want more money in politics. For example, an overwhelming 88 percent of small business owners have a negative view of money in politics, according to a poll commissioned by the American Sustainable Business Council, the Main Street Alliance and the Small Business Majority.

“If unrestricted political spending is allowed, the political influence of both the average person and the full range of business owners will be severely marginalized, leading many to become either disenfranchised or disillusioned by the system,” said David Levine, CEO and Co-Founder of the American Sustainable Business Council. “Unrestricted flow of campaign contributions puts too much power in too few hands and that can result in bad policy for our economy and businesses.”

The Supreme Court’s decisions in cases like Citizens United have contributed to declining confidence in government. According to a Gallup poll, only ten percent of Americans have confidence in Congress, the lowest level for any institution in the forty years Gallup has asked the question. Meanwhile, 82 percent of Americans are worried about special interests buying elections, according to the National Election Survey.

Aggregate contribution limits currently prevent individuals from giving more than $123,000 to all candidates, parties and committees combined. Eliminating those limits would allow wealthy Americans to flood the system with money, further eroding Americans’ confidence in the political process.

The petition begins: “As a business owner, I am concerned about the Supreme Court’s decision to hear a campaign finance case, McCutcheon v. FEC, which deals with aggregate contribution limits. Increasing the amount of money in politics is not just bad for our democratic system – it’s bad for business. The Supreme Court should let the law stand.”

The full petition may be found here: asbcouncil.org/campaigns/protect-contribution-limits

The American Sustainable Business Council and its member organizations represent more than 165,000 businesses nationwide, and more than 300,000 entrepreneurs, executives, managers, and investors. The council includes chambers of commerce, trade associations, and groups representing small business, investors, microenterprise, social enterprise, green and sustainable business, local living economy, and women and minority business leaders. ASBC informs and engages policy makers and the public about the need and opportunities for building a vibrant and sustainable economy. www.asbcouncil.org

American Sustainable Business Council

American Sustainable Business Council

The American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) is a national coalition of mission-driven businesses, social enterprises and sustainable business networks working to create a vibrant, just and sustainable economy. What unites us is a deep belief that we must move to a new economy that is grounded in principles of sustainability and equity.

The Council represents over 55,000 businesses and enterprises and more than 150,000 executives, owners, investors, entrepreneurs and business professionals. It is comprised of partners, which are organizations that represent businesses and social enterprises as well as entrepreneurs, executives, owners and investors committed to building a vibrant, just, and sustainable economy.

ASBC promotes policy change by educating and informing the business community, policy makers and the media about the business case for change, and by engaging the leaders of businesses and enterprises in building broad support for the policies America needs. We work on a range of policy areas, including: financial reform, health care, chemicals policy, climate change and business taxes.

We believe that the policies that will lead us to a sustainable and just economy are also good for business and good for America. Making the right commitments and investments will produce more and better jobs, build strength in key technologies, and make the U.S. more independent and secure.

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