FRANKLYWNOW - Activists Discuss Citizen Koch Film

Local activists are shedding light on "big money" in politics.

Sunday the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Binghamton partnered with the Citizen Action group of the Southern Tier for a viewing of the political film "Citizen Koch" as part of their annual Social Justice Sunday. The film focuses on the influence of American plutocrats in our government, relating to the Citizens United ruling and the donation of the billionaire Koch brothers in government campaigns. Plutocracy is defined as a society or system ruled by a small minority of the wealthiest people -- something the panelists feel is unfair and only gives elected officials the upper hand in government.

Fred Trzcinski Social Justice Committee chair said, "There's probably not a congressmen or a senator that hasn't taken big money. Number one to get elected and to stay elected, which is wrong. It shouldn't be that way where it takes millions of dollars to be elected."

Howie Hawkins, Green Party candidate said, "Two issues in our campaign are, one is public campaign financing so that our elections aren't dominated by billionaires and I think the other is renewable energy."

The panel included 2014 New York Governor Candidate Howie Hawkins.

Afterward members talked about the film and related issues with the public. The group will partner with Binghamton University students discussing an example of unfair work conditions next month.