Sample Raps and Talking Points

Use these “raps” as models for speaking to classes, other student organizations, community groups, high schools – anywhere you can get the word out! Change them to make them your own; add examples relevant to the group you address.

A1. Two Minute Rap

Introduction

  • Introduce yourself
  • Democracy Matters is a non-partisan student organization that is working hard on strengthening democracy in American politics.

Problem

  • Today, special interest groups, corporations, and wealthy individuals are giving our representatives huge campaign contributions.
  • Since it costs so much money to run, politicians have to rely on these private contributions to fund campaigns, and then give “paybacks” once elected.
  • Because of this unfair influence, the interests of wealthy people and special interests are outweighing the influence of voters in this country – which makes it hard for people without money to have a voice!
  • This is the exact opposite of democracy!
  • Corruption scandals that we see in the paper every day are inevitable when politicians are in the pockets of special interest groups.

Solution

  • But don’t let these dark times get you down! There is a solution.
  • In states and cities across the country, a system known as “Fair Elections” has been established to eliminate the unfair influence of special interests.
  • With fully financed public elections, qualified candidates have equal access to money and resources in order to run successful campaigns.
  • Only when politicians are accountable to ALL the people – not to money – will Americans get the laws and social policies they care about.

Action

  • Students in Democracy Matters all over the country are fighting for a deeper democracy that can solve our problems – from global warming to the rising cost of college tuition and loans.
  • We need you! Join us in our fight for fair and fair elections and give yourself a voice!
  • Sign up on the information sheet I am passing around, check out our great website at democracymatters.org, and come to our next meeting at *time* on *day of week* at *location* and let’s take back our democracy!

A2. Two Minute Alternative Rap

Hi my name is “Sue.”  I’m a “Sophmore” and part of a great group on campus called Democracy Matters. We’re an action group that wants to get big private money out of politics and people like you and me back in.

I am fighting for a deeper democracy because I care about problems like the environment and global warming, like the rising cost of college, like how I will pay for health care after I graduate, like women’s and minority civil rights, at risk kids and lots more – and I know that our elected officials aren’t doing much about solving these problems.

Why is that? Because the big money corporate donors and special interests who paid for their election campaigns have other priorities. And politicians are stuck paying them back rather than listening to the needs of ordinary citizens.

So what can we do? We can follow the lead of ordinary people in states and cities like Maine, Arizona, Connecticut, Portland Oregon, and Albuquerque New Mexico. People there have created what they call “fair elections.” It’s a voluntary system where you don’t have to be rich to run for office. With fair elections, voters have real choice, the costs of elections drop, young people have a role in politics, and government is truly accountable to the people.

Come and learn more about fair elections and what students all over the country are doing to deepen our democracy. We need YOU to get involved. Check out our website at democracymatters.org, sign the information sheet that I have passed around, and come to one of our meetings (date time place) or contact me, sue@your university.edu.

Thanks and don’t forget, we need YOUR help!

B. Five to Ten Minute Presentation

In expanding the 2 minute rap, add specific examples and details. You can find your own at http://www.opensecrets.org/ or for your state at http://www.followthemoney.org/. Talk with your staff link for more ideas.

Let me give you some specifics!

The Problem: private money funding political campaigns

  • The cost of election campaigns has been rising incredibly fast. The 2008 election is expected to cost over $1 billion. It takes millions to get elected to Congress and to be in the state legislature now costs thousands of dollars – more than most Americans have or can raise from friends and supporters.
  • About 80% of all the money donated in election campaigns comes from a tiny fraction – less than ½ of 1 percent – of the American people. These folks are extremely wealthy and most have business interests before the legislature – not at all your typical citizen.
  • Incumbents in Congress get re-elected over 93% of the time and similar percentages are true for other political offices. Why? Because incumbents can out-raise and out-spend challengers, typically by 4 or 5 times. And most often the person who spends the most money is the one who wins.
  • Okay so let’s look at an important social problem like the environment. Contributions to Congressional campaigns in 2006 from pro-environmental organizations totaled about $3 million. In contrast, representatives of the energy industry contributed $47 million. Who do you think politicians are going to listen to?
  • And how about the safety of our food supply? Agribusiness industries gave over $44 million to campaigns and parties in 2006 and they have lobbied hard to kill legislation that would increase regulation and government oversight of our food supply.

[See Issue Impacts on our website for more ideas.]

The Solution: fair elections

  • Equal amounts of public financing of campaigns provided to qualified candidates.
  • It’s voluntary: candidates may choose to participate or may raise private money the traditional way.
  • First passed in Maine in 1996.
  • States with Fair Elections systems covering some or all state offices: Arizona, Maine, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Vermont.
  • Cities with Clean Fair Elections for city elective offices: Portland, OR, Albuquerque, NM, Chapel Hill, NC.
  • How It Works:
      • Candidates must qualify by showing support from constituents.
      • Candidates are given a set amount of resources to use in their campaigns.
      • Candidates must not raise any private money.
      • Candidates must comply with spending rules.
      • Candidates must participate in public debates.
  • Success of the fair elections system
      • More competitive races.
      • More diverse candidates – women, people of color, ordinary citizens can run and win.
      • Cost of campaigns declines.
      • Maine (2006): over 70% of candidates ran clean; over 80% of winner legislators ran clean.
      • Arizona (2006): 75% of winning statewide officials ran clean, including Governor Janet Napolitano.
      • Most clean candidates say they would not be able to run for office without public financing.

The Action: Democracy Matters

  • National student non-partisan organization with chapters on over 500 campuses since 2001.
  • Founded by NBA star Adonal Foyle (played 10 years with Golden State Warriors; 2 years with Orlando Magic).
  • Partnership and coalitions with other non-partisan student and citizen organizations like the PIRGS, Sierra Club, Common Cause, Amnesty International, and other environmental, civil rights, and good government groups.
  • Some examples of actions on this and other campuses (see Action Campaigns for examples)

C. MORE TIME:

If you have a longer time to talk, find more examples, ask for questions, and tell them what DM has done and is planning to do on your campus and how they can help.

D.  Catchy lines:

“You should not have to SELL YOUR INDEPENDENCE to run for office.”

“Candidates should have HIGH CIVIC WORTH not HIGH NET WORTH.”

“Elections that are for sale are not free.”

“If someone has to own politicians, why not the people?”

“Democracy only works when everyone gets involved.”