Articles by Robert Steele

Three of the right elements are now in public consciousness – our task is to nurture a public conversation about all eight – together – and now, in 2015. In recent weeks, there have been three electoral reform stories in the U.S. – the stories of Lawrence Lessig (get corporate money out of politics), Peter Ackerman (expand presidential debates beyond the two parties that monopolize power), and California (voter-drawn districts that end gerrymandering). Below is a graphic that highlights 8 part...

I am neither wealthy nor influential.  All I have is intelligence and integrity.  Neither of these appear to be in demand at this time.  As I look at all of the candidates running for President -- without exception -- I see stunted human beings who are self-centered and not at all able to play well with others. Occupy is a mess, largely because it is trying to hard to be consensual in nature, it cannot make progress in establishing a strategy, formulating a concept of operations, and harmonizin...

The Pledge was conceived by others reluctant to press upon the Members a full-up Electoral Reform Act of 2012.  While I strongly disagree -- we cannot delay on the specifics -- I respect the intent and below put the full text of the Pledge. Electoral Integrity Pledge The Electoral Reform Pledge is designed to bring constituents together with the individual Representatives, on Congressional District at a time (435 in all, separately from 100 Senators), both to present the Statement of Demand an...

Occupy is in my view a huge good thing, and it changes everything. Stabs at electoral reform have been taken in the past, with legislation submitted nine times (four of those times by Ron Paul).  In each instance the two-party tyranny has laughed at the concept of real democracy--they like their monopoly and their immunity from accountability. Occupy is not a coherent or cohesive group, and they have in my view wasted the winter. I did several messages to Occupy, seeking to encourage a focus on...

One of the most heartening aspects of my connecting electoral reform to Occupy and then via YouTube to the Reddit community, has been opportunity to meet pioneers who have been dedicated to this matter much longer than I have, and who have made contributions of such depth and persistence as to merit our huge appreciation. Eva Waskell is one of those pioneers.  She has, with others, been focused on the integrity of elections for over a decade. The International Election Integrity Principles are...

As a result of the viral video on electoral reform out of my briefing to the Occupy NYC working group on electoral reform, a number of stakeholders got in touch with me.  Others I have identified via searches for major civil society elements with defined electoral reform programs. Below are the ones I have identified.  They can also be seen, with their logos, at Directory of Activist Individuals & Organizations (USA).  I welcome nominations for others to be added to this list, and I must say up...

Congress shall work toward a Constitutional Amendment that places Election Integrity outside the power of the government. That amendment, whose terms shall be formulated via the National Initiative for Democracy (National Ballot Initiatives). It might include but not be limited to such initiatives as: 1. Elimination of personhood for any organization 2. Affirmation of universal voter registration 3. Abolishment of the Electoral College 4. Balanced Budget 5. Termination of the Federal Reserve...

All proposed legislation without exception be published on line, normally one month prior to vote but no less than 24-72 hours for emergencies, to include explicit geospatial pointers for all “earmarks” each of which must be publicly announced. - - - - - - - "Put enough eyeballs on it, no bug is invisible." America -- as with other countries, but most in contradiction with our Founding Fathers' intent -- has been "ruled by secrecy," not only from the financial world, where banks counterfeit cr...

Qualifying candidates will receive public funding in equal amounts. Political campaign committees are made illegal and lose their public charters. For the purposes of this Act corporations are not people and may not contribute nor cause to be contributed, any campaign funds. Issue advocacy and advertising are not tax-deductible. Air time and media print space for all candidates is free and equal. - - - - - - - It is criminally insane to make elections contingent on raising enough money to pay ...