(Photo by Vivian Moy)
A program about the influence of money in politics, sponsored by the League of Women Voters (LWV) of Port Washington-Manhasset and titled, “Democracy for Sale: Money in Politics,” drew a crowd to the Port Washington Public Library on March 19. Allison White, LWV Program Chair, organized the program and introduced the panel.
Hofstra professor Rosanna Perotti provided historical background that led up to today’s current problems.
Activist lawyer Liz Kennedy from Demos, a public policy organization, described how the wealthy elite are shaping policy and thus eating away the once-equal rights of ordinary citizens.
Then reporter Bill Mahoney from the NYS publication Capital explained that the new national rules making it easier for moneyed interests to influence politics have not adversely altered Albany politics much. He said the reason is that our state’s loose regulations have permitted the state to be ruled by the powerful few for years.
The League of Women Voters of Port Washington-Manhasset is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, open to both men and women, which encourages citizens to participate in government and to influence policy through education and advocacy. Its website is www.lwvofportwashington-manhasset.org.
