People For the American Way has made passing a constitutional amendment to get big money out of politics a priority since the Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court decision was first handed down in 2010. In this segment of the #DemandDemocracy video blog series, PFAW Executive Vice President Marge Baker explains why getting big money out of politics is critically important for economic and political equality.

The current political system provides an enormous advantage to wealthy interests[] by allowing them to purchase outsized influence in government. It is impossible to have a government of, by and for the people when a tiny fraction of the population has such an outsized influence on the outcome of elections.

As noted in an article by the Brennan Center:

“Spending in the 2014 congressional election broke records for the most expensive midterm in history estimated at $3.6 billion according to OpenSecrets.org. This included $689 million of outside spending including $154 million in untraceable dark money. According to FollowtheMoney.org, $2.2 billion was spent in state elections in the 2014 cycle which included the election of 36 governors.”

PFAW’s #DemandDemocracy video blog series is a collection of short videos that highlight how big money in politics affects — and often stalls progress on — a range of other critical issues.