Video Encourages People to Take Action and Contact Their Local Representatives in Support of Reversing Decisions like Citizens United

WASHINGTON – The “Most Interesting Man” may drink Dos Equis, but the “Most Influential Man” aims to show Americans what happens when big money mixes with politics. An independent filmmaker in Los Angeles was this week’s winner in the Democracy For All Video Challenge, which encourages people to speak out on big money in politics. The Democracy For All Video Challenge, spearheaded by Say No To Big Money and People For the American Way, selects a different best video every week from submissions made by people across the country.

The video, created by Otto Penzato, spoofs the popular “Most Interesting Man” commercials for Dos Equis beer by showing the “Most Influential Man” who controls politics through money. The video aims to show Americans how big money influences politics and threatens democracy.

“As I looked at all the big problems facing this country – climate change, income inequality, environmental protection, banking regulation and on and on – I saw that the obstacle to solving these problems was structural; who are our decision makers listening to,” said Penzato. “The singular obstacle is the issue of big money in politics.”

The video can be viewed at http://democracyforall.com/entries/the-most-influential-man-in-america_02. All of the winning videos to-date are available to view at www.democracyforall.com/winners. People can enter the video challenge by submitting 30-90 second videos between now and Dec. 2. Full details are available at www.DemocracyForAll.com.

 “This video is a great example of using pop culture to illustrate an important point,” said Jeff Haggin, president of Say No To Big Money which created the video challenge. “Otto has created an impactful video that is both entertaining and also conveys a very serious message that will hopefully encourage others to take action.”

The Democracy For All Video Challenge was created by Say No To Big Money and People For the American Way to tap into the creative potential of people in the United States who support a constitutional amendment that would allow for reasonable limits to be set on money in elections. A panel of judges selects the most impactful videos with $1,000 being awarded to the best video each week. At the conclusion of the video challenge, five best in category videos will be awarded $5,000 each, with $25,000 being awarded to the best overall video. Rather than hire an advertising agency to produce the spots, the sponsor organizations developed the Video Challenge to enable the true voice of Americans to be heard and give people across the country a chance to earn money for their efforts.

The Democracy For All Amendment, currently being considered by Congress with 140 cosponsors in the House and 41 supporters in the Senate, would overturn decisions such as Citizens United, the 2010 Supreme Court case that paved the way for unlimited political spending by corporations and the super wealthy. 

People For the American Way (PFAW) is dedicated to making the promise of America real for every American. That means equality. Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. The right to seek justice in a court of law. The right to cast a vote that counts. The American Way. Our vision is a vibrantly diverse democratic society in which everyone is treated equally under the law, given the freedom and opportunity to pursue their dreams, and encouraged to participate in our nation’s civic and political life. More information is available at www.PFAW.org.

Say No To Big Money is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation for the public benefit with the mission of supporting the ratification of the Democracy For All Amendment that will regulate campaign contributions. Say No To Big Money is nonpartisan and does not promote or take sides on any political issues nor endorse candidates or elections. More information is available at www.SayNoToBigMoney.com.

###