So, what's a "money bomb?" It's a fundraiser focused on a particular day (or days, in this case), and often built around a particular issue.

For our first Citizens' Money Bomb, we're focused on the issue of public financing of elections, a key progressive reform that I've long advocated and will champion in the Congress. Next Sunday will be the 10th anniversary of a key ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court during the saga of our voter-approved Clean Elections law that became law in 1998 -- with overwhelming support in western Massachusetts. But then it was slowly starved, undermined, chipped away at, and ultimately repealed in 2003 by legislators who didn't believe we should have a level playing field and competitive elections.

In fact, when presented with a real test of progressive leadership on a key issue, many legislators failed miserably.

For our Clean Elections Money Bomb, we're asking folks to pledge to donate $5 to $99 to my campaign between February 26-29. (Some people have skipped the pledge part and donated already. Thanks!)

The opportunity here is to spread the word about our campaign to fix what's broken, elect true progressive champions to the Congress, and move ahead in our battle to create an economy that works for everyone and a democracy that includes us all.

So please pledge and then invite others to do, too!

I politely but strongly disagree with Congressman John Olver, a true progressive in the Congress, when he suggests that Richard Neal is a good fit for the new First District.

Because we all know that Rep. Neal is not, in fact, "a strong supporter of everything the district cares about," particularly when it comes to proposals to fix our broken, money-drenched democracy.

Instead, Rep. Neal plays the status-quo game of raising big money from corporate PACs and their Washington lobbyists. And western Massachusetts voters know that you can’t truly fight against the forces undermining economic fairness when you fund your campaigns exclusively with their money.

Additionally, there is a stark contrast between Rep. Olver's progressive priorities and the silence of Rep. Neal on so many vital issues.

Rep. Olver is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Rep. Neal is not.

Rep. Olver is a co-sponsor of the Fair Elections Now Act to provide for public financing of House and Senate elections. Rep. Neal is not.

Rep. Olver is a co-sponsor of H.R. 676, a bill to create a single-payer, Medicare for All program to provide quality health care services to all. Rep. Neal is not.

Last year, Rep. Neal even voted against the progressive People’s Budget, a blueprint for rebalancing the tax code, cutting military spending, balancing the budget within a decade, and creating millions of new jobs -- particularly for young people. At that rare moment when Democrats in Congress could cast a vote in favor of bold, progressive change, and put their name to a progressive vision for our future, Rep. Neal voted no.

I have great respect for the distinguished career and progressive values of John Olver. But I disagree with him on some matters, and, not surprisingly, this is one of them.

Woo hoo! As of 2/2/12, Rep. Neal has (finally) signed on as the 280th House co-sponsor of the STOCK Act, a bill to make clear that members of Congress and their staff are subject to the same insider-trading laws as everyone else. The bill was introduced in its current form last March.

Now, at long last, all members of the Massachusetts delegation are on board with this still-too-modest but necessary reform that will help restore some confidence that everyone plays by the same rules. The version passed by the Senate adds a few worthwhile additions, including requiring members of Congress to include mortgages in their financial disclosure reports and adding some Executive Branch employees to the Act's disclosure requirements, too.

I favor requiring all members of Congress to, at minimum, transfer their securities holdings to a blind trust.

When I'm in the Congress, I'll aggressively introduce and co-sponsor necessary legislation and speak out boldly for the progressive change we need. I won't sit on the sidelines or wait to see what everyone else does before taking action. And that's a promise you know I'll keep, because it's the reason I'm running.

Bill Shein, a Democratic candidate for the open seat in the new First Congressional District of Massachusetts, issued the following statement this morning:

Today’s jobs report suggests that new jobs are being added to many sectors of the broader economy. When unemployment and underemployment have remained unacceptably high for so long, it’s good to know that some are finding work.

But let’s make sure that monthly jobs number is not the end, but rather, the beginning of a broad, necessary conversation about what’s really happening in our economy and to working people. And use it as a clarion call for much bigger, bolder action on jobs and public investment.

The week’s headlines brought news that Rep. Richard Neal added a whopping $705,419 to his campaign account in 2011. After spending $428,072, he’s left with $2.4 million to spend in this year’s campaign.

So let me say, Congratulations, Rep. Neal! That’s quite a haul. That $2.4 million (plus whatever is raised in 2012) will pay for a lot of television ads, mailings, pollsters and consultants. And many other things, too. All of the trappings of a modern campaign in an age in which politics has become a big business – and, not coincidentally, when big business has taken over our politics.

Democratic Congressional candidate Bill Shein issued the following statement this morning in advance of a Springfield No One Leaves foreclosure-auction protest:

"The failure of Congress to stop the bailed-out, bigger-than-ever Wall Street banks from throwing people out of their homes is unconscionable. That's why I'm standing here today at this foreclosure auction protest, in solidarity with the passionate and empowered organizers and members of Springfield No One Leaves. We're all fighting to preserve our neighborhoods and communities, to put people ahead of big-bank profits.

"Today I stand today with the very same people with whom I’ll stand as a Member of Congress. I stand with those who don’t have wealth, lobbyists, or political action committees. I stand with those fighting every day for justice and economic fairness. I stand with those organizing and creating local power in their communities. And it’s their voices, and their priorities, that I will bring to Washington, D.C. next January.

“I support efforts to force bailed-out banks and the taxpayer-owned Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to write down principal and re-negotiate interest rates on underwater mortgages so families can stay in their homes. Often, those facing foreclosure can afford a mortgage at the fair-market value of their home, and can also afford to pay rent to stay in their home until an agreement is reached. But the banks foreclose and evict anyway, leaving the home vacant and then selling the property at a price the foreclosed-on family could easily afford. That is wrong."

GREAT BARRINGTON, MA – Democratic Congressional candidate Bill Shein (MA CD-1) issued the following statement following the president’s State of the Union address:

“Tonight President Obama highlighted progress made since he took office three years ago. But as millions of American families know, government action since the 2007-08 collapse of the housing market and the Great Recession that followed has, despite the best efforts of many, been insufficient. There is much more to do, and that includes substantial political reform that ends the stranglehold of big money on our government so we can advance necessary solutions that address, in particular, the foreclosure and unemployment crises.

“That’s why I wholeheartedly endorse the president’s call to ban the bundling of campaign contributions by lobbyists, a practice that is widespread and which gives further advantage to corporate insiders seeking influence. At present, bundling by lobbyists is subject to wholly inadequate disclosure requirements. Recipients, and the lobbyists who raise money for them, can easily disguise the extent of bundled contributions simply by having multiple lobbyist ‘co-hosts’ of fundraising events. This is unacceptable. In Congress, I will champion a ban on all lobbyist contributions. Short of an outright ban, I will advance legislation that requires all money raised from and by lobbyists be fully disclosed within 72 hours.

In the Berkshire Eagle this morning, Rep. Neal said that millions of dollars he raises from corporate interests and their lobbyists has no effect.

We all know that's simply not true.

In arguing his case, he noted his voting record on environment and labor issues. But as I’ve said, and emphasize here again: A voting record is just what you’ve had a chance to vote on. Corporate money flooding into our elections – and into the coffers of too many Democrats – has drowned out the big ideas we need. Its goal is not just to influence votes. Its goal is to narrow the agenda and water down legislation long before it comes up for a vote.

As the kids say, "We're cooking with gas!"

A mere 24 hours after launching my campaign as an uncompromised advocate of getting big money out of politics, implementing public financing of elections, and dialing back corporate “personhood” rights to overturn Citizens United, we’ve scored our first victory.

Another candidate, the Middle Berkshire Register of Deeds, Andrea Nuciforo, Jr., issued a statement last night endorsing public financing of House and Senate elections.

Friends,

We're off and running!

As I write, there are 234 days until the Democratic primary on Thursday, September 6, and then another 61 days until the general election on Tuesday, November 6. And we have a lot to accomplish.

Shortly we'll put more of our campaign infrastructure in place: The next generation of this website including our detailed "Issues" section. A busy schedule of events and activities. Connecting all of you who have already volunteered to volunteer so you can begin organizing in your communities. (Volunteer here.) And raising money in small contributions of no more than $99 per individual for the primary and then $99 for the general election. (Donate here.)

As promised, this will not be like any Congressional campaign you've been a part of in the past. Here's one small difference: You'll hear frequently and directly from the candidate (that's me) on this blog, my Facebook page, and via Twitter. I'll keep you informed about what we're doing and how we're doing it. Importantly, I'll share what I learn as I travel to every corner of the new First Congressional District -- from Springfield and Easthampton and Holyoke to Great Barrington and Pittsfield and North Adams -- listening to your concerns and ideas. I'm looking forward to a broad conversation with a wide variety of people (with a wide variety of views).

It won't be easy, but I plan to visit every city and town in the district. (Please consider hosting a house party so I can meet folks in your community.)

By the way, the announcement of my intention to run was broadcast live on WBCR-LP radio, the low-power, nonprofit, community radio station in Great Barrington. And I couldn't think of a better place to kick things off. As we'll discuss during the campaign, the future health of our communities depends in part on our ability to keep our talent and resources local.

I'm not a politician, and I've never run for office. No doubt I'll make mistakes along the way. And running a campaign without big money -- a choice that I believe is a necessary prerequisite to fighting for a fair and just America -- means many additional challenges for this effort. But with your help, we'll meet those challenges and forge ahead to champion priorities of the 99 percent.

Spread the word about our campaign launch here.

Thanks for being part of this. Lots more to come. Let's get to work!

Onward,
Bill