New research the ACLU conducted with the Global Strategy Group found that nearly half of voters across party lines agree: One of the biggest barriers to addressing the skyrocketing cost of living is out-of-touch, corrupt politicians who refuse to tackle costs for fear of alienating corporate benefactors. In fact, voters identified holding corrupt politicians accountable as the single policy that would do the most to improve affordability.
Moreover, a new Fox News poll revealed that 60% of registered voters are extremely concerned about government corruption. A swing voter from Utah responded to our survey saying, “Special interest groups, wealthy people and businesses can spend millions to buy a spot at the table and a voice in decision-making, while we have people who can’t afford meals, housing or healthcare.”
And a Republican voter in Pennsylvania put it more plainly, “When the wealthy, lobbyists or corporations have greater access to influence politicians, it makes it more challenging to trust that the voice of the common person matters.”
If we want an economy that works for ordinary people, we need a government that works for all people. This cycle, voters have the opportunity to put the wheels in motion.
At the ACLU, our loyalty is to the Constitution, not to any political party or candidate. For more than a century, we have defended the principle that the government derives its authority from the people and must remain accountable to them. That principle is under extraordinary strain today.
We can endlessly debate about the best policies to lower costs, but that’s not the work of the ACLU. However, the foundation is the same: To tackle the affordability crisis, we need to tackle the accountability crisis.
For a start, end partisan gerrymandering and protect the freedom to vote so that politicians must answer to voters. Stop governments and companies from tracking our license plates, faces, and search histories so that they can manipulate and control us. Give us real accountability by letting people sue government agents and agencies who violate their rights.
What most Americans want is simple. They want the freedom to find a good job, afford a home, raise a family, make their own decisions and build a secure life. A functioning representative democracy does not guarantee any particular policy outcome, but it does guarantee that the people making decisions have to answer to the people living with the consequences.
The ACLU holds fast to the promise of a democracy that is truly of, by, and for the people. That promise is not abstract. It determines who the government listens to, whose interests it protects and whether average Americans have the power to demand change.
The economy we get is downstream of the government we have. If we want to unrig the economy, we have to unrig our democracy.