On February 12th, 2016, the Democratic National Committee announced that it would reverse the decision by President Obama to restrict the role of big money in politics and that it would once again accept donations from federal lobbyists and political action committees.

The decision comes at a critical time during the United States election cycle. With candidates from both sides of the ideological spectrum condemning the role big money plays in politics, the DNC boldly, perhaps knowingly, went against the conscience of the American people with this decision. It will erode trust in our government as a whole, not just the Democratic Party. Depending on the winner of the primaries, it may also be a factor that sways voters toward the Republican Party.

The DNC has gone against basic democratic principles and further mystified the role money plays in politics. Moreover, they have defied the wishes of our current President, who is from the very party who is enacting this decision.

To maintain a transparent government of, by, and for the people, the decision must be reversed. That is why we, the undersigned, disagree with the decision to lift the ban on lobbyist and PAC donations. We demand that the decision be reversed.