Another Way, by Lawrence Lessig

The assumption of most lawyers — or Americans — who know the word "SuperPAC" is that the Supreme Court has declared that the First Amendment protects SuperPACs. In this episode, you'll learn why that assumption is flat-out false, and about the fight to end SuperPAC money in America's democracy.

John Sarbanes, an important architect of democracy reform in Congress today, discusses the For the People Act and the challenges of passing it. They also explore the broken campaign finance system, the relationship between democratic agency and mental health, and the importance of comprehensive democracy reform. The speaker expresses concern about voter suppression and gerrymandering, and hopes for a fix before democracy goes off a cliff.

In this season of Another Way, Lawrence Lessig explores the flaws in democracies, the competition between democracy and corporations as analog AI, the threat to democracy posed by AI on social media, and the concept of 'lifeboats' and sortition as ways to protect democracy.

Legal expert Lawrence Lessig outlines our plan to fight back against SuperPACs. He discusses the logical mistake in SpeechNow v. FEC, our video competition to uncover it, and the legal strategy to render SuperPACs powerless. He also explores the power of Congress to limit campaign contributions, the flawed logic behind super PACs, and finding an alternative state to challenge current laws. Learn how to support the campaign through volunteering, financial contributions, and participating in a video competition.

Ron Fein, Legal Director for Free Speech For People, discusses a legal mistake that could regulate SuperPACs. They explore the Supreme Court's perspective on regulating political money, the impact of implicit quid pro quo, corruption in campaign financing, bribery through contributions to Super PACs, and the potential for corruption in Super PACs. They also discuss the future of political action committees and a disappointing decision by the SGC.

In this episode, Lawrence Lessig speaks to Tristan Harris, the co-founder and Executive Director of the Center for Humane Technology, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to align technology with humanity’s best interests. Lessig and Harris discuss the (real, not sci-fi-inspired) threats posed by generative A.I. (artificial intelligence) technology and some potential guardrails that could guide the technology in a way that benefits — not harms — society. This episode is the first of two previews for the upcoming season of Another Way.

Adam Eichen speaks with Jonathan Mehta Stein (Executive Director of California Common Cause) and Vernetta Woods (IVE Team leader at Oakland Rising Action). They discuss the innovative fair elections initiative that will appear on this year's midterm ballot in Oakland and how it could inspire similar efforts across the nation. They also speak about what keeps them from burning out, even during an intensive ballot initiative campaign.

Listen to Rabbi Pollack's appearance on Another Way from 2019: https://equalcitizens.us/how-a-rabbi-in-pennsylvania-is-fixing-democracy/ 

Another Way is back! Adam Eichen and Lawrence Lessig have a candid conversation about the state of our democracy, feelings of loss (post-Freedom to Vote Act campaign), and what keeps them motivated in a very disturbing political time.

Context for the No Labels phone call leak:  https://theintercept.com/2021/06/16/joe-manchin-leaked-billionaire-donors-no-labels/