Larry Lessig was on the Daily Show last night. Watch it here: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-december-13-2011/exclusive---lawrence-lessig-extended-interview-pt--1. In part 2 he talks solutions: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-december-13-2011/exclusive---lawrence-lessig-extended-interview-pt--2.

Campaign Finance/Fair Elections
Time to take back our government
The National Catholic Reporter wants a government of, by, and for the people. Plus, a shout out to Fair Elections.

FEC dysfunction not just politics, it's personal
The FEC is a hot mess.

Do foreigners deserve free-speech right?
This headline should really read, "do foreigners deserve the ability to influence our elections with campaign contributions."

Congress/2012
The political one percent of the one percent
Awesome new analysis from Sunlight Foundation on 2010 donors showing that our elections are increasingly being thrust into the hands of a wealthy few: "In the 2010 election cycle, 26,783 individuals (or slightly less than one in ten thousand Americans) each contributed more than $10,000 to federal political campaigns. Combined, these donors spent $774 million. That's 24.3% of the total from individuals to politicians, parties, PACs, and independent expenditure groups."

Obama's last chapter problem--and ours
Interesting Ezra Klein piece--with some discussion about Teddy Roosevelt's concern about corporate control of elections, etc.

Congress needs a climate change on corporate donations
Read this op-ed by Bill McKibben on corporate money influencing the debate in Washington.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in NYC for fundraisers
"Republican Mitt Romney is back in New York City to raise more money for his run for the White House."

Occupy DC plans to protest Romney fundraiser
Occupy DC will protest a fundraiser tonight featuring Tagg Romney. It makes sense, two of the hosts wrote that anti-OWS memo for the American Bankers Association.

Obama to fundraisers: Stay steady and "we'll win this thing"
"President Obama delivered a pep talk to his political fundraisers today, telling them to stay strong during what figures to be a tough re-election bid."

Newt Gingrich gets new super PAC
Newt's getting a super PAC - run by the woman who ran his 527.

Top 10 lobbying victories of 2011
Your top 10 lobbying victories of the past year.

Buying the Joint Strike Fighter Caucus
Interesting: "The announcement quickly dispels any notion of the group’s objectivity, noting that 'the Joint Strike Fighter program is an absolute necessity.' The rhetoric emanating from these members of Congress shouldn’t be surprising given their ties to the companies benefiting from the billions of taxpayer dollars spent yearly on the JSF."

Occupy, liberals can't get together
"A planned meeting today between the Congressional Progressive Caucus and Occupy Wall Street activists was scuttled late Tuesday after Roll Call inquired about it, highlighting increasing tensions between Democrats and the movement." Though, my favorite part, is a former Blanche Lincoln aide-turned-lobbyist saying Democrats should keep their distance.

Bye-bye to the billable hour
Are you interested in how lobbyists track their time? Well, then read this story.

Newt Gingrich's revisionist history
Ruth Marcus looks at Newt's less-than-accurate portrayal of his ethics fight that led him to pay a $300,000 fine.

Other
Wisconsin voter ID law imposes unconstitutional burden, ACLU says in suit
Good: "A new Wisconsin photo identification law unconstitutionally burdens the rights of senior citizens, minorities and other voters, the American Civil Liberties Union claimed in a federal lawsuit."

Attorney General Eric Holder's speech on voting rights
Eric Holder gave a speech aggressively defending the right to vote last night. "Ensuring that every veteran, every senior, every college student, and every eligible citizen has the right to vote must become our common cause.  And, for all Americans, protecting this right, ensuring meaningful access, and combating discrimination must be viewed, not only as a legal issue - but as a moral imperative."